Sensus to Conduct Advanced Metering Infrastructure Long Range Radio Trial in Tokyo

Sensus, a leading provider of clean technology solutions, will be conducting a trial of long range radio technology for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in Tokyo, Japan. The purpose of the trial, which will begin in the first quarter of 2015, is to demonstrate the connectivity and performance of long range radio working at 280MHz in dense urban areas of Tokyo. The results of the trial will be shared with a range of groups, including utility companies, commercial organizations, potential partners, local government and regulators. Sensus will be undertaking the trial in partnership with MIRAIT Technologies Corporation.

“Long range radio has been proven to provide dedicated, resilient and secure network infrastructure to utilities, municipalities and cities around the world,” said Toshiyuki Naka, Sensus’ country manager for Japan. “It offers the reach, coverage and stable connectivity that simply can’t be achieved by mesh or cellular networks.”

Long range radio is an attractive option given the challenges the 920MHz low power radio band may have in Japan in the future, including interference from the increasing number of devices using this shared spectrum.

In current overseas deployments of communication networks using long range radio, these networks have demonstrated the ability to operate with a greater than 99 percent first time connect-and-read interval success rate. These connectivity rates were achieved in both rural and urban areas without using a combination of communication methods or relying on other infill technologies.

“We look forward to demonstrating to Japanese companies in the electric, gas and water sectors why long range radio is a reliable, flexible and cost-effective communication solution,” said Randolph Wheatley, Sensus vice president of marketing.

Sensus is providing the core communications technology to support the UK government’s plan to rollout electric and gas smart meters to ten million locations in the northern region of Great Britain.