AMR – Wireless M-BUS Systems

Wireless M-Bus  is a  wireless open protocol communication technology, which is a radio version of the M-Bus standard that  is used for remote reading of meters such as, electricity, water, heat, cooling and temperature meters. Wireless M-Bus can also be used for controlling and monitoring processes. 

In this instance the data is instead sent via radio on the unlicensed frequency band (868 MHz in Europe). The range of meters is very large and thanks to the fact that the communication protocol and the electrical interface are regulated by an EN standard, equipment from different manufacturers can be combined into customised systems.

Just like the wired version of the M-Bus system, the wireless version also works according to a master-slave concept. A central unit controls several sub-units, (the slaves), which supply the master with data. A wireless M-Bus system can consist of several hundred slave units that record specific sensor values, for example about energy consumption, but also temperature and humidity.

The slave units send their collected data to the master on the 868 MHz and 434 MHz frequencies without cables. Since the selected frequencies are license-free, you do not have to pay license fees for the data transmission. When the wireless M-Bus master is connected, data is collected from the slave devices. The data can then be processed and made available to the operator for energy counting or billing.

Wireless M-Bus is most often used when an M-Bus solution is desired, but the cost of cabling is too high or if it is impractical. This may, for example, be the case for retrofitting an individual building as well as use for collection from a larger area with many buildings.

End devices, such as meters, are called slaves in M-Bus terminology. They are operated by an M-Bus master, usually a separate product or built into a more advanced gateway product.

Elvaco M-Bus gateways then collect data from all meters in the network and create an interface to the Meter Data Management software or can be exported directly, for example in csv format. The units can be controlled both via the fixed network (Broadband connection) and via mobile technology (SIM Card). The scope and reach of the M-Bus infrastructure is extended with special wireless repeaters.

Available Products include:

• MBUS Metering Gateway for Mobile Networks
• MBUS Metering Gateway for Fixed Networks
• MBUS Maters for 32,64,128 and 256 Meters
• Fully Integrated Build Box (Enclosures)
• Additional Licences