Nighthawk’s New Mesh-Cellular™ RDM-970 Electric Meter
January 12, 2015
Nighthawk announces the launch of its new RDM-970 family of Mesh-Cellular™ AMI modules, integrated inside the Landis+Gyr Focus AXR-SD electric meter shell.
The RDM-970 complements Nighthawk’s traditional cellular AMI meters with both Mesh-Cellular™ and Mesh-IP, using short-distance two-way mesh radio communications between AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meters. Mesh meters communicate amongst themselves within a neighborhood and use strategically placed Mesh-Cellular™ meters or Mesh-IP (Internet Protocol) hubs for communications with Utility Web-Connect™, Nighthawk’s award-winning Cloud-based command and control system.
Nighthawk’s RDM-970 mesh meters dramatically reduce both: capital costs, because mesh radios are less expensive to manufacture than cellular; and, operating costs, because all communications are funneled through a neighborhood gateway Mesh-Cellular meter or Mesh-IP hub. These cost reductions enable the RDM-970 to become an economical full deployment AMI mesh solution for many utilities.
The RDM-970 AMI mesh meters join Nighthawk’s popular RDM-940/950/960 AMI meters and CEO-940/950 Disconnect collars already in service with many utilities. Like those devices, the RDM-970 AMI meter uses cellular or (new with mesh) IP backhaul for communications and delivery of the collected meter readings to the Cloud. From there, these meter readings can be automatically uploaded into MDM (Meter Data Management), CIS (Customer Information) or utility billing systems.
Nighthawk products use Utility WebConnect™, a Cloud-based Web application running 24/7, and connected to multiple communications gateways, both issuing commands to remote devices and receiving information from them. Utility WebConnect™ interoperates directly over the Web or via automated data uploads with most utility billing systems. Even when utility personnel are not online, Utility WebConnect™ is collecting meter readings, issuing automated batch commands to devices and alerting utility personnel of alarming events via cellular text messages or email.
About Nighthawk: Nighthawk is a mobility leader in machine to machine connected devices and Cloud based control solutions. For over two decades, we have pioneered intelligent devices and systems that allow for the centralized on-demand management of assets and processes.
Nighthawk products are used throughout North America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia in a variety of mission critical applications, including hardened and secure utility control. We are building the future of mobility solutions for machine to machine control with our WebConnect device strategy.
Nighthawk is a subsidiary of McWane Inc, aleading manufacturer of ductile iron pipe, valves, hydrants, and fittings. McWane’s products make up the backbone of vital water distribution and wastewater treatment systems throughout North America, dependably providing the U.S. with clean drinking water. The company operates 25 manufacturing plants including 13 iron foundries across the United States, Canada, Australia, and China.
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About McWane Inc.
McWane, Inc. is a family-owned business based in Birmingham, Alabama, with companies across the United States and the world. At the McWane Family of Companies, we cast ductile iron products--including pipe, valves, hydrants, fittings, and plumbing products--manufacture fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, steel pressure vessels, and build network switches and monitoring equipment. We are the leader in delivering clean, safe drinking water around the world while focusing on the safe, environmentally-friendly manufacturing of our products. With more than 6,000 team members McWane has a longstanding commitment of support to the communities where we live and work.