Abstract: A dipole antenna structure that includes a sheet of metal that forms elements of a dipole antenna. The sheet of metal includes a first arm, and a second arm connected to the first arm, and formed substantially co-planar with, and non-parallel to, the first arm. The sheet of metal further includes at least one impedance matching element connected to the first arm and the second arm, where the at least one impedance matching element is formed in the sheet of metal at an angle relative to a plane that coincides with the substantially co-planar first and second arms.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly that includes a main case, which may be permanently situated in-line with a monitored piping system, and an interchangeable measuring element installed within the main case. The measuring element may include solid state ultrasonic components to measure fluid flow through the measuring element. Installation and/or replacement of the measuring element is enabled without removal of the main case and without additional calibration. One measuring element may be swapped out with another measuring element (e.g., a replacement or upgrade) without disconnecting from pipe sections to which the main case is attached. The measuring element cover includes an underside cavity and a bleed hole located at a high point of the underside cavity. The underside cavity releases entrapped air from the measuring channel through the bleed hole, after starting a fluid supply through the meter assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly with a transition interface that includes a non-linear taper to minimize head loss. According to one implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear outlet taper. In another implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear inlet taper and a non-liner outlet taper. In still other implementations, the water meter assembly may include a transition interface with different outlet and inlet tapers.

Abstract: A user equipment device (UE) establishes a communication session with a wireless network, and receives, from the wireless network, a message that includes scheduling data that schedules a power-saving mode (PSM) at the UE. The UE interrupts, at a first time based on the scheduling data, a supply of power to a modem of the UE. The UE provides, based on the scheduling data at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, power to the modem.

Abstract: A device may include a communication interface and a processor configured to determine that a first transmission task is scheduled and attempt to execute the first transmission task. The processor may also evaluate a metric associated with an effectiveness of the first transmission task. The processor may further modify or set at least one of a transmission interval or power level associated with a second transmission task based on evaluating the metric.

Abstract: A measuring element for a water meter assembly is provided. The measuring element may be interchangeably installed within a main case that is permanently situated in-line with a monitored piping system. The measuring element includes a measuring channel, an electronics module, and an acoustic reflector plate. The measuring element has a top wall with multiple ports and a bottom wall with a recess. The electronics module is mounted above the top wall. The electronics module includes one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic signals through the multiple ports into the measuring channel, and a processor to calculate a flow value based on the transmitted ultrasonic signals from the one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers. The acoustic reflector plate is mounted in the recess and includes at least one concave reflector that reflects the transmitted ultrasonic signals between the one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A device, a method, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which an antenna assembly detection service is provided. A device may include an oscillator circuit whose frequency of operation is determined by a resonant frequency of a tank circuit and reactance of a load associated with the antenna terminal configured to receive an external antenna. A controller may be configured to measure an output signal of the oscillator circuit when the oscillator circuit is connected to the antenna terminal, and determine whether or not the external antenna is connected to the antenna terminal based on the measurement and comparison data.

Abstract: A system includes a radio frequency (RF) connector terminal that is configured to connect to an antenna, and a RF transmitter that transmits RF power to the RF connector terminal. The system further includes a power measurement unit that measures, as a first power measurement, first RF power of the RF transmitter power that is reflected via the RF connector terminal, and a controller that causes a transmission path discontinuity between the RF transmitter and the RF connector terminal. The power measurement unit further measures, as a second power measurement, second RF power of the RF transmitter power that is reflected from the discontinuity. The controller further determines if a first antenna is connected to the RF connector terminal based on the first and second power measurements.

Abstract: A meter communication interface device includes a radio frequency (RF) communication unit, multiple different types of communication ports, and a controller. The RF communication unit receives, via RF signaling, at least one of first commands, instructions or data destined for a first meter encoder, meter, or meter interface unit (MIU). The controller selects a first communication port from the multiple different types of communication ports, and sends, via the selected first communication port using a first communication mechanism, the at least one of first commands, instructions or data to the first meter encoder, meter, or MIU.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a meter interface device may measure a temperature associated with the meter interface device, and use the measured temperature as a basis to regulate the transmission and the reception of data between the meter interface device and a wireless network. The meter interface device may also measure voltage, and use the measured voltage as a basis to regulate the transmission and the reception of data.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly that includes a main case, which may be permanently situated in-line with a monitored piping system, and an interchangeable measuring element installed within the main case. The measuring element may include solid state ultrasonic components to measure fluid flow through the measuring element. The systems and methods allow for installation and/or replacement of the measuring element (e.g., a field installation) without removal of the main case and without additional calibration. According to an implementation, all measuring components may be included within the measuring element to allow for interchangeability. One measuring element may be swapped out with another measuring element (e.g., a replacement or upgrade) without disconnecting from pipe sections to which the main case is attached.

Abstract: A device, a method, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a meter installation and billing verification service is described. The meter installation service includes validating configuration data pertaining to a water meter to be installed based on certified configuration data. The certified configuration data includes the number of dials, the placement of the decimal, and the unit of measure. The certified configuration data may also include a meter size and a lay length. The billing verification service includes validating configuration data based on certified configuration data to ensure proper billing.

Abstract: An improved low-profile antenna has a radiating element disposed apart from a ground plane, with at least one microstrip disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane. A feed is electrically coupled to the radiating element and to the at least one microstrip. The at least one microstrip is also electrically coupled to the ground plane, completing a closed path. When driven by an electrical signal, the antenna more efficiently generates electromagnetic signals in the horizontal direction and also has decreased sensitivity to foreign objects.

Abstract: A system includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver having an input, and an antenna terminal configured to connect to an antenna. The system further includes one or more switches that switch the receiver input of the RF receiver to connect to a terminating load that is not an antenna or to an internal antenna, and noise level measurement circuitry that measures a first RF noise level across the terminating load or the internal antenna. The one or more switches further switch the receiver input of the RF receiver to connect to the antenna terminal, and the noise level measurement circuitry further measures a second RF noise level received at the antenna terminal. The system also includes a controller that determines whether an external antenna is connected to the antenna terminal based on the first RF noise level and the second RF noise level.

Abstract: An antenna includes a first folded dipole having a first central region, and a second folded dipole having a second central region and connected in parallel to the first folded dipole. The antenna further includes a first pair of tuning stubs extending into the first central region of the first folded dipole, and a second pair of tuning stubs extending into the second central region of the second folded dipole.

Abstract: An antenna includes a first folded dipole, and a second folded dipole connected in parallel to the first folded dipole. The antenna further includes a conductor that extends across a first gap in the first folded dipole and a second gap in the second folded dipole to connect to a first central section of the first folded dipole and to a second central section of the second folded dipole.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly is provided. The assembly has a substantially rigid member, the substantially rigid member having a first protrusion, a support member with a first slot that accepts the protrusion in such a way to produce flex in at least one of the rigid member and the support member. The flex exerts compression on the protrusion that prevents it from disengaging the slot.

Abstract: A device and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a collector device comprises a first wireless communication interface of a first wireless network configured to receive messages from and transmit messages to a meter interface unit of a utility meter; and a second wireless communication interface of a second wireless network configured to receive messages from and transmit messages to the meter interface unit, wherein the second wireless network is a third party wireless network and the first wireless network is not, and wherein the first wireless communication interface and the second wireless communication interface are configured to operate in a simultaneous mode of communication that provides for a simultaneous transmission to or simultaneous reception of messages from the meter interface unit.

Abstract: The use of ultrasonic transducers installed in utility meters is provided for the detection of fluid leaks in a conduit. Such transducers are normally used to transmit acoustic waves in order to measure the velocity of fluid flow, but it is disclosed that such transducers are also capable of detecting leak noises in addition to such transmitted acoustic waves.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a meter interface device may attempt to join a third party wireless network, in addition to a mobile transceiver network, in response to a power-up procedure or a reset procedure. Additionally, the meter interface device may simultaneously operate in multiple modes of communications. The meter interface device may select the third party wireless network based on preference information and back-off information. The meter interface device may wait a back-off period, after an unsuccessful attempt to join the third party wireless network, before re-attempting to join the third party wireless network. The meter interface device may also attach to one or multiple other networks including a fixed network.