AMI interactive communications

Access Interactive Communications A human-initiated, two-way, instantaneous, and asynchronous communication from the head end system (HES) or meter data management (MDM) system over the network infrastructure to obtain consumption, status, or programming data from gas, water, or electric endpoints. In IEE, an interactive read request is primarily intended to test a specific meter or endpoint's interoperability with the AMI network and to return readings data. The results of an interactive read are generally not permanently stored. Formerly called an on-demand read (ODR). Also called interactive read. from the AMI > Processing > AMI Interactive Communications option to perform on-demand read functions.

Note: The user must have security role permissions for AMI > Interactive Communications to enable Interactive Communications from the AMI workbench.

User the following procedure to perform AMI interactive communications:

  1. Use the Using the search utility feature to locate the meter ID you need.

  2. After selecting a meter ID, place the cursor over the Gear icon () to view the meter's capabilities. If a meter ID is not specified, meter capabilities are not applicable.

    The Communication Types that you can enable are based on the meter's capabilities and on the communication system technology. If the meter and associated communication system you select do not have a specific capability, the corresponding Communication Type is disabled. All Communication Types are disabled before you have selected a meter.

    Note: The Meter Capabilities feature is not available when a meter is configured using Advanced Configuration. In this case, all communication types are enabled regardless of the meter's capabilities.

  3. Under Communication Type, select the two-way communication function:

    • Device Ping. Pings the device to confirm communications.

    • Load side voltage (LSV) confirmation. Confirms load-side voltage on the meter.

    • Interactive Communications. Remotely connects to the meter and obtains current register and interval readings. Select either Retrieve register reads or Retrieve last 24 hours of interval data.

    • Full Test Ping, LSV, register/interval reads. Perform these tests in order. 1. Test communication with the meter. 2. Test load-side voltage to the meter. 3. Retrieve current meter readings.

  4. Specify the Staleness Minutes Determines the staleness threshold in minutes when requesting readings from a fixed network collection system. This setting indicates the number of minutes data can be stored in the database before it is considered stale. Staleness Minutes is applicable for fixed network collection systems only. These non-mobile systems store collected readings in a collector database. When IEE requests readings from a fixed network collection system, the staleness minutes is the threshold that determines if the readings are current. Specify the number of minutes before a reading is considered stale, to ensure that the data retrieved is of an acceptable age. Note: If the specified meter is not a part of a fixed network system, this parameter does not appear. threshold.

  5. Click Submit to start the communication.

    Readings appear in the right pane and the results summary appears in the lower left pane.