Abstract: A utility meter implementing the ANSI C12.19 standard is able to bypass security processing using Decade4 security tables for a single data access operation. The meter includes a procedure that is executed by a processor in the meter to process requests for security keys. Data internal to the meter is used to generate a security key. The security key is used by the requesting external device and the procedure to generate an access key. The external device sends its access key to the procedure so it may be compared to the internally generated access key. If both access keys are the same, a data access operation performed by the external device is allowed without reference to the Decade4 security tables. Once a timeout or data access operation is performed, subsequent data access operations are subject to processing in accordance with the Decade4 security tables unless another security key is requested for repetition of the process.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive an RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method of assembling a utility meter having a plurality of components on a subassembly is disclosed herein. The method comprises associating an identification code, such as a barcode, with the subassembly and then entering the barcode associated with the subassembly into a first memory. Next, a lot identification code for each of a plurality of components of the subassembly is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the first memory. The subassembly is then placed in the utility meter having an associated utility meter identification code. The utility meter identification code is then entered in a second memory and the utility meter identification code is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the second memory. The first and second memory may be searched to determine lot identification codes for each of the plurality of components in the utility meter.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive and RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An electricity meter includes a current sensor, an analog to digital (A/D) converter coupled to the current sensor, and a processor coupled to the A/D converter. The current sensor and the A/D converter cooperate to generate a digital current signal having a waveform representative of the current waveform on the power lines connected to the electricity meter. The processor is operable to analyze a digital current waveform signal produced by the current sensor and A/D converter to detect a rectified (DC) load. In particular, the processor perform analysis on the digital current signal to generate a peak positive current value and a peak negative current value, and then detect the presence of a rectified load coupled to the power network based on said peak positive current value and said peak negative current value.

Abstract: An arrangement for adaptive time keeping in a utility meter includes a timing circuit and a controller. The timing circuit is operable to generate timing signals. The controller is operably coupled to the timing circuit to receive timing signals therefrom. Further, the controller is operable to: generate a first real-time value based at least in part on an externally generated first reference time value; derive a subsequent second real-time value, based at least in part on the first real-time value, the timing signals, and a timing circuit calibration value; obtain an externally generated second reference time value; determine a rate adjustment based at least in part on a difference between the second real-time value and the second reference time value; and generate a subsequent real-time value based at least in part on the timing signals, the timing circuit calibration value, and the rate adjustment.

Abstract: An arrangement for adaptive time keeping in a utility meter includes a timing circuit and a controller. The timing circuit is operable to generate timing signals. The controller is operably coupled to the timing circuit to receive timing signals therefrom. Further, the controller is operable to: generate a first real-time value based at least in part on an externally generated first reference time value; derive a subsequent second real-time value, based at least in part on the first real-time value, the timing signals, and a timing circuit calibration value; obtain an externally generated second reference time value; determine a rate adjustment based at least in part on a difference between the second real-time value and the second reference time value; and generate a subsequent real-time value based at least in part on the timing signals, the timing circuit calibration value, and the rate adjustment.

Abstract: A watt-hour meter employs a power factor compensation technique that inserts a delay into the digitized current or voltage sample stream. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic watt-hour meter comprising a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a conversion circuit, and a processing circuit: The voltage sensor generates a voltage measurement signal responsive to a voltage provided to a load. Similarly, the current sensor generates a current measurement signal responsive to a current provided to a load. The conversion circuit further comprises: a first converter connected to the voltage sensor for generating sampled voltage data stream based on said voltage measurement signal; a second converter connected to the current sensor for generating a sampled current data stream based on said current measurement signal, and a phase correction circuit.

Abstract: An electricity meter contains analog/digital converters to transform input analog voltages and currents into sampled digital values. A first high speed processor derives auxiliary magnitudes from the sampled digital values without intermediate storage. The auxiliary magnitudes, which do not have any direct physical significance, are provided to a lower speed second processor, which utilizes the auxiliary magnitudes to determine various desired parameters and functions of the input voltages and currents.