This paper discusses the requirements imposed on the design of a power system automatic meter reading system expected to serve a large (<1 million) customer base spread over a large geographical area. Issues such as system throughput, response time, and multi-application expandability are addressed, all of which are intimately dependent on the underlying communication system infrastructure, the local geography, the customer base, and the regulatory environment. A methodology for analysis, assessment, and design of large systems is presented. For illustration, two communication systems-a low power RF/PLC system and a power frequency carrier system-are analysed and discussed.
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