See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/4290719

Design and Implementation of Smart Billing and Automated Meter Reading

System for Utility Gas

Conference Paper · August 2007

DOI: 10.1109/ICIET.2007.4381338 · Source: IEEE Xplore

CITATIONS READS
9 8,633

3 authors:

Faheem Khan Ahmed Zoha

Technical University of Denmark University of Glasgow
12 PUBLICATIONS   163 CITATIONS    43 PUBLICATIONS   1,160 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Rana Liaqat Ali

COMSATS University Islamabad
23 PUBLICATIONS   180 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Design and Implementation of Walking Aid for Blind People View project

Researcher in 5G Physical Layer View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Ahmed Zoha on 19 May 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Design and Implementation of Smart Billing and Automated Meter Reading
System for Utility Gas
Muhammad Faheem Khan, Ahmed Zoha and Rana Liaqat Ali
Department of Electrical Engineering, COMSATS Institute of
Information Technology, Islamabad (CIIT)-Pakistan
E-mail: faaheemkhaan@gmail.com, muhammad_fahim@comsats.edu.pk

Abstract enters the meter readings in a computer to calculate the

Billing automation systems for public utilities (e.g.
electricity, gas and water) have been widely studied
and implemented in developed countries across the
world. But in Pakistan, this technology is still on its
way to be implemented for domestic as well as for
industrial consumers. This paper explores the design,
implementation and application of billing automation
system for gas consumers in Pakistan. For low gas
consumption (domestic consumers), a prepaid meter
has been designed which needs a prepaid card to keep
the gas supply continue. Similarly for high gas
consumption (industrial consumers), the gas meter is
wirelessly connected with the regional billing office. In
this way the billing office is able to directly
communicate with the meter and records its gas
consumption reading. Along with the gas, this system
can easily be enhanced to measure the consumption of
electricity and water.
1. Introduction
The Automated Meter Reading (AMR) was started
in 1962 by AT&T, but this experiment was not
successful. The modern era of AMR started in 1985;
since then different techniques have been utilized to get
better reliability and performance [9]. Therefore
currently in developed countries, many successful
AMR systems are being used to facilitate the
consumers of water, gas or electricity. However in
Pakistan, service provider companies (e.g. WAPDA,
SNGPL, WASA, etc) are still using analogue meters
and manual billing systems. Such type of billing
method is being used both for domestic consumers as
well as for industrial consumers. Basically using this
system the bill is calculated in three steps. Firstly meter
readers (human being) go home to home to manually
record the meter reading. Secondly all readings are sent
to regional billing office where data entry operator,
bills. Thirdly at the end, the bills (in paper form) are
sent home to home (to gas consumers).
The above stated process is manual and prone to
defects and ultimately the consumers mentally and
financially suffer in such billing system. Therefore to
replace the manual and traditional billing techniques in
Pakistan, we designed and implemented a cost
effective, but still reliable, billing automation system
for gas provider companies. As already discussed that
analogue meters are already being used in Pakistan
therefore in our system we modified an analogue meter
and converted it into a digital gas meter. In this way the
gas provider companies would not have to completely
replace their existing setup facilities and they would be
able to replace their existing billing methods with our
automated system.
2. System Configuration
There are three major modules of this system:
2.1. Analogue Meter with AMR Module
This module incorporates separate designs for
domestic consumers and industrial consumers. For
domestic consumers we designed a prepaid billing
system which excludes the human meter reader and
data entry operator. While for industrial consumers, the
gas meter is post paid but still the technique to record
its reading is automatic.
2.2. Data Communication System
This module has been specifically designed for
industrial gas consumers, which wirelessly
communicates with remotely operated gas meters and
record their reading, which are ultimately sent to the
regional billing office to calculate the gas consumption
bills.
2.3. Data Logger Software for Regional devices. They are suitable for measuring natural gas
Billing Office and a variety of technical gases at up to 0 .5 bar. The
approved gas temperature range is -20 °C to +50 °C
For regional billing office we designed software [11]. Outlet
Inlet
which automatically receives the meter reading from
the remote consumers, calculates the bill and wirelessly
transmits the gas bills to the consumers.
Valve Mechanism
In next section we would separately discuss domestic
and industrial billing.

3. Domestic Billing:

Currently in Pakistan, diaphragm gas meters are

being used for domestic as well as for industrial users. Diaphragm
These are of following specifications [6]:
• Residential-class diaphragm meters are rated Front Chamber
at the ½ inch Water Column (WC) Back Chamber
differential. Fig.2. Internal Structure of Meter
• Intermediate and large-capacity diaphragm
meters can have both a ½ inch WC rating as
Inside the meter, a cast iron cylinder is divided into
well as a 2 inch WC differential rating.
two compartments by a flexible diaphragm (Fig.2),
In our automated billing system, we implemented a
which extends or retracts when the compartments are
prepaid billing method for domestic users. Here we
alternately filled or emptied. This motion operates the
utilized an already being used residential class
counter mechanism [13].
analogue diaphragm meter.
The digital meter has following specifications:
Prepaid Card
EEPROM
Writer/Reader
Table 1. Specifications of Prepaid Gas Meter
Mechanical to Digital
Encoder Processing Module Specification Value
Prepaid Balance
Maximum flow rate 2.5 m3/h
Comparater Minimum flow rate 0.016 m3/h
Schmitt
Keypad Maximum working pressure 1 bar
Trigger
Long term running property No pressure leakage
Digital Pulse
Counter under 15 kpa

3.2. Counting Mechanism

Display The counting mechanism is responsible to record

Gas Supply Valve
Fig.1. Block Diagram of Domestic Gas Billing
Digital meter is primary part of domestic billing
system; its hardware details are explained in following
sections.
3.1. Internal Structure of Digital Meter
the consumption of gas (in cubic meter per hour-m3/h).
Then this reading is used to calculate the gas
consumption bill. The higher the number of revolutions
to measure a cubic meter, the faster the meter is
operating, the greater potential for increased
component wear resulting in reduced meter life. The
measuring device may consist of pistons diaphragms or
of a fan wheel driven by the pressure of the gas and
connected to a counter mechanism [12].

It is a positive displacement meter operated by using

mechanical divisions to displace discrete volumes of
gas successively. All versions of positive displacement
meter are low friction, low maintenance and long life

Fig.3. Meter’s External Dial.

 The gas meter consists of a box divided in two
compartments by a partition (Fig.2). Each compartment
is itself divided by a central diaphragm; the gas passes
successively in and out of these four compartments.
The alternating motion of the diaphragm drives the
assembly of gears. Then these gears rotate the wheels
of digits (Fig.3) [13].
Fig.4. Meter’s Internal Gear Assembly
Although the gas consumption is shown in digits (so
digital output of meter) but like digital systems this
output can’t be fed into some other digital systems to
save it or read by AMR technology. Therefore it was
necessary to digitize the analogue output of this meter.
This is explained in next section.
3.3. Digitization
The digitizing mechanism of an analogue meter is
Amplitude
the primary conversion from conventional analogue
method to a prepaid gas meter. Ultimately this feature
greatly enabled the meter to communicate with other
digital devices e.g. Remote Terminal Unit (RTU),
Prepaid Card Reader etc. To digitize the meter, an
encoder was designed which encodes (converts) the gas
consumption into cubic meter. This was done by
making precisely spaced holes in the main gear of the
meter. Then one IR transceiver was fitted across the
main gear. Now while operation, as the gear rotates, the
encoder calculates the digitally calculates the gas
consumption.
Fig.5. Main Gear, Fixed Inside the Meter
Using analogue to digital encoder, the meter
provided the digital output shown in Fig.6. But as the
edges of gears are not smooth that’s why the output
pulses contain some ripples. Before inputting these
pulses into pulse counter, this was very important to
remove these ripples. Therefore we used pulse
conditioning through Schmitt trigger.
Amplitude
Time
Fig.6. Digital Encoder and its Output
3.4. Pulse Conditioning
In our case, the ripples have high frequencies as
compared to the original waveform therefore we passed
this waveform from the Schmitt trigger circuit to get a
pure digital waveform (Fig.7).
Unfiltered Digital Signal Schmitt Trigger
Time
Ripple Free, Filtered Digital Signal
Fig 7. Schmitt Trigger, Filtering the Ripples
In case if pulse conditioning is not used then as a
result of one pulse the pulse counter triggers more than
ten times because it also senses the ripples and take
them as a complete logic. This results in wrong bill
calculations. That’s why its is necessary to use Schmitt
trigger so that as a result of one pulse, the pulse counter
should count only once.
3.5. Calculating the Gas Consumption
The digital meter is supposed to output digital
pulses. That is why in our existing meter we converted
the revolution of gear into electrical pulses. In other
words, at deeper level these pulses are responsible to
 8.7cm

calculate the gas consumption. In normal meters when

one gear rotates one revolution, the counter indicates
1m3 gas consumption. But in digital meter one
revolution of gas meter is equal to ten pulses..
Therefore when ten pulses are received to the processor
of meter, it displays (on LCD) that 1 m3 gas has been
consumed. This is also shown in following simple
mathematical relationship:
1 revolution (of gear) = 1 m3 gas consumed
1 revolution (of gear) = ten electrical pulses
So
Ten electrical pulses =1 m3 gas consumed
Note: As mentioned in previous paragraphs, that
ripples are necessary to be eliminated. But if we don’t
eliminate/reduce them (i.e. if we don’t use Schmitt
trigger) then 1-gear revolution would be equal to more
than ten electrical pulses. There may be case that 1-
gear revolution would be equal to 50 or more
electrical pulses. Therefore the result would be an
absolutely wrong calculation of gas consumption.
3.6. Gas Flow Control Valve
If prepaid balance is not enough, the meter has
ability to shutdown the gas supply by energizing its
solenoid valve. This valve is specially designed to stop
the flow of liquid/gas passing through it (Fig 8). This
valve is operated at 12W Power (12 V, 1A). When gas
supply is needed to stop, the controlling circuitry
energizes the amplifier, resulting in activating the relay
and turning OFF the valve.
Internal Solenoid
Outlet
Inlet
Fig.8. Gas Flow Control Valve
3.7. P-Card
5.5cm
Copper Contacts
Fig.9. P-Card Layout
Unlike many other prepay cards this card is
reprogrammable. This feature is useful for the gas
supplier company. Because after using, the customers
would not throw the card and unloaded card would be
returned back to the company. This would help in
saving manufacturing cost of the card. Currently the
manufacturing cost of this P-card is Pak Rupees: 45
(0.75 US$).
3.8. P-Card Programmer
P-Card was designed to facilitate the gas provider
company, which is providing gas to domestic
consumers (with low gas consumption). This
programmer would enable the company to reload/ reuse
its P-cards.
3.9. P-Card Meter Charging
To charge the prepaid gas meter, the P-card is
inserted into the specific slot. The sensor inside this
slot can identify that whether the card is inserted in
proper way or not. Then password is entered using
keypad, fixed at the front panel of meter. On entering
correct password, the P-Card reader reads the balance
in the memory of P-Card and then it copies all of the
contents into the memory of the meter. In this way the
initial balance into the memory of meter is added with
the newer figures (Fig 10). After copying contents of
the card, the P-Card Writer washes all of the contents
the P-card, so that this can’t be used next time.

The P-Card is a reprogrammable contact smart card

with memory. In the name P-Card, the P stands for
Programmable and Prepaid. In digital gas meter, this
card plays vital role because this holds gas units (meter
cubes) in the form of digital numbers. It also holds an
eight-digit password (Fig 9). While charging the meter,
the copper strip establishes contact of card circuitry Processing
with meter circuitry. In this way it becomes very easy Unit
to charge/recharge the meter
Fig.10. Meter Charging Process Through P-card
4. Industrial Billing 4.3. Data Logger Software

As industries use larger amount of gas/day than a This part of automated billing is responsible to
domestic user, therefore the prepaid meter was not receive meter reading, calculate bill and then send back
feasible. That’s why we wirelessly connected the the bill to the consumer. It further consists of four parts
digital gas meter with the gas billing company. The (Fig.12 and Fig.14):
different modules of industrial billing are discussed 1. Data Receiver (Receives meter reading from
below. consumer site)
2. Bill Calculator (Calculate gas bill at central
4.1. Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) gas billing office)
3. Bill and Notifications Transmitter (Dispatch
The RTU is a hybrid of hardware and software and gas bill to consumer site)
contains many functional modules. The RTU is 4. Software Information (Names of System &
providing connectivity with outer world by GSM Authors)
network (GSM modem is incorporated). The main Start
function is to provide generic solution for telemetry
and telemetics. Currently it is being used for remote
Master Controller
monitoring (remote data acquisition) and remote
control (turning ON/OFF the gas meter).
No
GSM Modem
working

Yes
Equipment
Reporting

Yes No
Available Low Battery
SMS Received
SIM Space Level

No No
Yes
Display and Turn SMS Presence Display and Turn
On Buzzer Detector On Buzzer

Fig.11. Overview of Industrial Billing

Find SMS location
Read New SMS
in SIM Memory
4.2. Data Communication System
No
Verify Password of
Display “Error”
The RTU transmits data (meter reading) using GSM RTU
network of any mobile service provider. For this
purpose a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is used. Yes
After transmission, the data is received in the Take Action
central/regional billing office. The GSM Modem uses
specific antenna to wirelessly transmit the data to the Change Password
Activate AMR Turn On/Off Gas
Module Meter
central/regional billing office. Following are the
specifications of antenna.
Record Meter
Reading
Table 2. Specifications ofOmni
Model GSM Power
Antenna3db GSM
AMR’s Recording
Record Time
Antenna Module

Frequency Range 890-960 MHz

Record Temperature
Gain 3dBi peak
Impedance 50 ohms Transmitter Data

Beam Pattern 360 Degrees

Wind Survival Rating 100kph
Fig.12. Software Flow Chart of RTU
 EEPROM
Prepaid Card 5. Conclusion
Writer/Reader

Mechanical to Digital This paper explored separate billing solutions for

Encoder Processing Module
domestic and industrial gas consumers. For domestic
Prepaid Balance consumers we designed a prepaid billing system while
Comparater
for industrial ones we designed a postpaid but
Schmitt
Trigger
Keypad wirelessly (GSM) controlled billing system. Such
Digital Pulse system minimizes the human intervention in meter
Counter reading, bill calculations and bill delivery which
ultimately reduces many defects, currently existing in
conventional manual billing systems. This system was
Display specially designed for Pakistan but can also be
implemented in any other country, where initially
Gas Supply Valve manual billing is being used.

RTU Master
EEPROM 6. References
Controller

SIM Card
[1] B. S. Koay, S. S. Cheah, Y. H. Sng, P. H. J.
Chong, P. Shum, Y. C. Tong, “Design and
GSM Implementation of Bluetooth Energy Meter”,
Modem
Nanyang Technological University, ICICS-PCM,
Remote Terminal Unit 15-18 Dec 2003, 3A6.7, Singapore pp.1474-1476
Fig.13. Hardware Flow Chart of RTU [2] T. Meek, P. Chilese “Remote Meter Reading by
Radio - A European Perspective” Schlumberger
Industries, UK. pp 196-198
Meter Communication [3] Carl Brasek “Urban Utilities Warm Up to the Idea
of Wireless Automatic Meter Reading” IEE
Computing & Control Engineering December /
January 2004/05, pp.11-13
Data
Server SIM Number
Receiver
Storing Raw Data [4] Yan Liu, Rochelle A. Fischer and Noel N. Schulz,
“Distribution System Outage and Restoration
Display Analysis Using A Wireless AMR System”, 2002
IEEE, pp. 871-874
[5] Tian Yew Lim and Tat-Wai Chan “Experimenting
Meter Serial Number Remote Kilowatthour Meter Reading Through
Data Low-Voltage Power Lines at Dense Housing
Meter Current Receiver
Estates” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery,
Reading
Date and Time of Database VOL. 17, NO. 3, July 2002. pp. 708-711
Meter [6] Paul G. Honchar Sensus Metering Systems DuBois
Monthly/Annual Pan “Diaphragm Meters Applications, Installations
Current Temperature Graph Display
Time and Date and Maintenance” 43rd CGA Gas Measurement
School, June 1-3, 2004.
Previous Reading [7] Terry Chandler “The Technology Development of
Bar or Pie Graph
Automatic Metering and Monitoring Systems”
Gas Consumption Current Reading Terry Chandler Director of Engineering Power
Graph Difference of Quality Thailand LTD and Power Quality Inc USA
Total revenue graph Readings [8] http://www.energycite.com/amr.htm
Current Bill [9] www.elster-instromet.com/en/diaphragm_meters
Transmission [10] http://www.dncustoms.gov.vn/web_Eglish/BIEU_
Bill and THUE/E_HTM/E9028.htm
Notification [11] http://www.pipelineandgastechnology.com/0106u
Transmitter
Gas Bill Amount tilityoperations.html
[12] http://www.dncustoms.gov.vn/web_Eglish/BIEU_
Notifications THUE/E_HTM/E9028.htm
Adjusting Last Date of Bill
Submission

Fig 14: Hierarchy Chart of Data Logger Software

View publication stats