Elster Introduces World's First Integrated Universal Meter Platform Capable of Supporting Multiple Smart Grid Systems

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elster (NYSE: ELT) today announced that the world's first truly integrated universal meter and radio platform, the REXUniversal meter, is expected to be commercially available in North America in the second quarter of 2012.  

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Designed with advanced capabilities, Elster's REXUniversal meter platform allows EnergyAxis® and other Smart Grid vendors' 900MHz radio frequency (RF) mesh communications to run natively on the identical REXUniversal meter hardware with integrated communications, economically delivering meter and network flexibility to utilities.

The fully integrated meter platform is capable of operating in various 900 MHz RF mesh Smart Grid systems without the cost penalty and additional hardware risk associated with specialized radio communication option boards. Previously, if a utility wanted to operate one vendor's communications on another vendor's meter, they had to have a separate proprietary communications card physically installed in the meter.

By integrating interoperability into a single card containing both metrology and communications, Elster's REXUniversal meter is designed to simplify updates to local area network (LAN) communication functionality and enable significant operational efficiencies by eliminating the need to remove meters and physically change-out the communications board to accomplish a system-wide network change.

On the Elster REXUniversal metering platform, communication protocols may be changed remotely to alter the device's personality, allowing the device to operate natively in different network systems without requiring hardware replacement.

With the ability to quickly and cost-effectively migrate endpoints to different communication systems, utilities are no longer locked in to just one network for their Smart Grid technology and system needs.

"As a Smart Grid solutions innovation leader, Elster is committed to providing choice through the development of truly open products.  This pioneering platform builds on Elster's track record of providing industry firsts that are both reliable and economical for our customers," said Mark Munday, president and CEO of Elster Solutions.  

The Elster REXUniversal meter platform features a highly advanced radio and communications processor, capable of supporting the future IEEE 802.15.4g standard and IPv6 protocols. This sophisticated technology design supports multiple vendor protocols, provides utilities with greater flexibility to change or upgrade network systems, and offers exceptional security by embedding memory directly on the chip.  

In addition to Elster's EnergyAxis and emerging IEEE 802.15.4g protocols, Elster's REXUniversal meter platform will support other major 900 MHz RF mesh Smart Grid communications systems. Elster recently announced an agreement with Landis+Gyr to complete the first integration of outside firmware on Elster's meter platform.

Elster's REXUniversal meter design also supports additional communication modules, including but not limited to, cellular or Ethernet wide area network (WAN) interface cards, and options for local connectivity to in-home devices and gas and water meters.

"This advanced integrated communication hardware sets a new industry benchmark for utility flexibility, system interoperability and risk mitigation in technology choice," Munday added.

About Elster

Elster (NYSE: ELT) is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. Its offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services – key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Its products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.  

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering devices deployed over the course of the last 10 years. It sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

For more information about Elster, please visit www.elster.com.

SOURCE Elster

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