Last mile is crucial
Are you ready for the Smart Meter Roll-out? We are! What has often been neglected in all discussions about data security and the approval of gateways is the last mile, the radio link, which is supposed to ensure a reliable and permanent connection to the administration. This requires antennas that can meet the requirements for this task. However, antenna technology is a science in itself. And so there are antennas for every constellation of gateway, data network, installation options and spatial signal availability, both very well suited and completely unsuitable.
Assessing the installation environment correctly
The challenge: The installation environment is almost always unknown and it is left to the installer to choose from a variety of antennas and mounting options. His decision on site, installation in or on the power distribution board, on the basement window or with a hole drilled through the masonry outside the building, as well as the selection of the right antenna, is of utmost importance for the long-term success of this installation.
Integrated switch cabinet antenna
ATBB therefore addressed this challenge many years ago in close cooperation with strategic partners from industry, energy suppliers, network operators and universities, and developed customized solutions for this installation case and a portfolio of antennas designed specifically for this task. Thus, in cooperation with the company Hager, a control cabinet antenna has been developed which can be "clicked" into the housing of the control cabinet very quickly and easily and uses the metal body of the control cabinet as an antenna. In this way, an enormous amount of installation work is saved.
High efficiency
The real strength of this antenna, however, is its efficiency, i.e. a measurably higher range than average quality antennas. We assume that there are big differences in efficiency in the antenna market, up to a factor of four in the smart meter sector. A high efficiency is of utmost importance, especially in difficult situations (mostly basements), as this ensures a stable and powerful signal to the next transmission mast.
Less installation effort
In practice, this means that even if the transmission tower is not necessarily very close, the connection is very reliable and stable. This ultimately means significantly lower infrastructure costs and less installation work. In any case, a higher range of the antenna is also a power reserve that is a safe bank for the installer. Consequently, when considering the costs, the price of an antenna is the least important of all factors. A safety reserve through higher range offers a significant cost advantage in the infrastructure by avoiding possible rework, such as subsequent conversion or replacement.
A dedicated, optimal antenna design is not a luxury, but important for a stress-free and reliable realization of simple as well as complex networking scenarios. A city is only smarter when the signal arrives.
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