Tailored to the needs of advanced smart electricity metering, the NIC, based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 chip, is now available to any smart meter company aiming to accelerate their Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) development using the NR+ standard. This collaboration aims to kick-start the deployment of NR+ technology in smart meters across Europe.
Wirepas partners have already shipped around 10 million devices using Wirepas Mesh software technology, the vast majority deployed in smart meters. These meters are equipped with radios specifically designed to perform optimally in regions such as Northern Europe and India. Now, NR+ - a component of the 5G family of standards - introduces an option to utilize ultra-resilient RF mesh networking in geographical areas where unlicensed frequency spectrums are not favorable for deploying large-scale RF networks. RF mesh is gaining in popularity globally and NR+ is now the only high-performing solution with a spectrum availability in Europe
“NR+ standard brings significant to the smart metering industry advantages in Europe” said Jani Vehkalahti, SVP of Smart Metering at Wirepas. “With the generous, dedicated license-free spectrum, we ensure to fulfill the rising demand for near-real time data in smart metering. Our 5G Mesh implementation of NR+ outperforms the reliability and quality of service of cellular networks and matches the scalability provided with PLC standards while at the same time securing asset and network ownership for the utility. The decentralized mesh topology mitigates risks that come with insufficient network coverage, excessive maintenance or SEP costs, and limited upgradability or interoperability. Plus, the immediate availability of NIC hardware accelerates the digitization at the grid edge.”
The collaboration provides a starting point for any utility or AMI solution provider to integrate long-range RF as a future-proof and reliable option to meet the growing demand for higher data rates in shorter timeframes. Deveritec offers customizable NIC layouts to fit any meter design, supporting proof-of-concept and pilot phases, with options for cost-optimised large-scale manufacturing down the line. Wirepas provides a planning tool and a network management system, enabling meter vendors, metering operators, and system integrators to transition seamlessly and quickly from piloting and testing to solution development and scaling.
“By combining our hardware and application development expertise with Wirepas' exceptional mesh networking platform, we're offering a platform that significantly reduces time-to-market for utilities and meter vendors” added Robert Stolz, COO of Deveritec.
The NIC will be showcased at ENLIT Europe, held at Fiera Milano in Milan from October 22-24. Attendees can see it featured within the Meter&Control Flexy meter at the ESMIG interoperability demo 6.A120 and at the Nordic Semiconductor booth (Hall [A], Booth [B]).
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