Abstract: The system provides a way to use a single RF channel in a cellular, RF meter reading system. In order to avoid adjacent cell concentrator interference while reducing the overall time required to perform repetitive tasks such as meter reading and performing load survey reads, the system has each of the concentrators send out a general command to all of the meter interface units ("MIUs") in its cell, and the MIUs then each send back their data in turn. In order to accomplish that result, the MIUs in each cell are preprogrammed to transmit a preset time period (different for each MIU in a particular cell) following receipt of the general command requesting data.The AMR reporting sequence in each cell is assigned based upon the physical distance of an MIU which is being assigned an AMR reporting sequence number from the MIU which had been assigned the prior AMR reporting sequence number.

Abstract: The invention is a dial inbound MIU which includes only two elements, a transformer and an optoisolator, to couple timing and power signals to the meter whose data is being measured and to retrieve data from the meter.