Abstract: A group metering method (and system) for monitoring electrical energy consumption by a plurality of proximate users replaces multiple individual user-meters by a single electronic meter. A single computational engine computes consumed energy values by the users and deploys a single subsection set (display, real time clock, and non-volatile memory) which can be located on a PCB. The system, usable for single or three phase, may be located out of reach from the users to make it tamper proof. Individual ADCs obtain electrical current values (through current transformers,) of power consumed by individual users and cooperate with a single DSP to compute energy consumption by individual users, readable on a common display in round robin fashion. Differences between the sum of energy values consumed by the users and a consolidated energy reading beyond a known threshold are reported as possible user-tampering. Asynchronous communication ports communicate with display units and AMR modules.

Abstract: A programmable logic device includes a functional block, which does not form part of an embedded processor, which can perform a testing function on other functional blocks of the programmable logic device. Thus, the test block can read stored data values from registers in the other functional blocks of the programmable logic device, or can read signal values at points in the other functional blocks of the programmable logic device, or can insert specific data values in registers in the other functional blocks of the programmable logic device.