WIRELESS BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK FOR A UTILITY

摘要

A communications network (12) for use by a utility (10) for communication,command, and control of the utility'sdistribution area for gas, water and electrical services including theutility's distribution system, security, workforce, and assetmanagement. The network includes apparatus for obtaining information and dataconcerning usage of the electricity, gas, or waterby each of the utility's customers, the operation of installations throughoutthe system, and how electricity, gas, or water is beingdistributed throughout the system. The information and data from each source(16) is processed to provide an up-to-date overviewof the system and its operation to the utility's management and operatingpersonnel. This includes identification of any currentproblems, including distribution or security, within the system, and assetmonitoring and management to identify possible futureproblems which may occur within a predetermined period of time. Reportsgenerated as a result of processing the information anddata, besides providing current status information, also provide managementand operating personnel with information as to waysof alleviating any current problems identified within the system, and stepswhich can be taken to forestall possible future problemswhich are identified.