Blue Tower Communications' Automatic one-way Meter Reading (AMR) systems for water, gas and electric utilities: combining the advantages of open systems and a fast data acquisition protocol for the benefit of utilities. The Blue Tower radio frequency (RF) systems are designed with an open systems philosophy and compatibility with utilities' existing equipment means lower initial investment. A clever, unique protocol allows for global reading: improved efficiency means reduced meter reading costs.

The 400 Series HandTrackIT®
The Blue Tower hand-held data collection device.

The HandTrackIT® is a RF device that allows pedestrian meter readers to collect meter readings at the road-side. Data is collected by interrogating the Transponder, Blue Tower's meter interface unit (MIU). The Transponder can be selectively installed on 'hard to read' meters for a combination of visual and radio read on one round.

The HandTrackIT contains a transmitter and a receiver. It sends out a digital interrogate message to every Transponder within range. The message contains a group code assigned by Blue Tower Communications Ltd to each meter reading customer ensuring full data protection.

Every Transponder within range, with the correct group code, responds with its meter reading data. An important feature of the HandTrackIT® is its 'global read' functionality, or its ability to hear up to 500 Transponder units in response to a single interrogation with minimal loss of data through message collision. This allows a meter reader to acquire data very rapidly and offers a substantial improvement on 'point to point' radio systems, which require either individual interrogation of each meter or the implementation of heavy-maintenance software to manage successive reads (any error or change occurring in the route order would result in a failure of the system). The Blue Tower system achieves true global interrogation due to its unique radio protocol.

The HandTrackIT® is a fully intelligent device, controlled by a hand-held computer using the Blue Tower interface protocol RAMIC™ - a simple set of ASCII commands. It is connected via serial link (RS 232). Most utilities' existing hand-held computers and meter reading software packages can be integrated with the open interface of the HandTracklT®. The HandTracklT® operates at 433.92 MHz and meets the EN 300-220 and the EN 300-683 European standards. It does not require a licence for operation.