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BLE 5.0 to replace wired RS-485

ADD Grup is sharing with you the new adoption of communication technology BLE 5.0 in new smart meters series 9 (modular meter). That will replace the wired RS-485 interface, which is a common standard for the physical layer of communication and signal transmission.

BLE 5.0 was introduced into our product roadmap with the aim of combining a group of meters using a radio frequency communication channel at distances up to 20 meters.

The principle of its operation is that in places where there is a high concentration of consumers connected to electricity, there is no need to use an expensive 3GPP module with each meter or PLC module to collect data and create an architecture for communication with data concentrators.

The ability to use the BLE mesh implies the presence of only one Gateway per network serving as a mesh network for a group of up to 20 smart meters with this solution, with the ability to convert any of them into a Leader meter by adding a communication module.

In the event that the Leader meter fails the smart meter with the BLE 5.0 is automatically reconfigured due to the automatic building of communication topology.

The advantages and characteristics of using BLE 5.0 are as follows:

• Use of BLE mesh protocol providing reliable, cost-effective, low-power, secure, wireless communication.
• Simple commissioning: Seamless network devices installation, start up and operation allows dynamical optimization and healing.
• Secure: Only authorized devices can join the BLE 5.0 mesh network. All network communications are encrypted and secured.
• BLE 5.0Network is auto-configuring and self-healing that provides secure and reliable communication even in case of any device failure. 
• Small and large networks: The network can vary from several devices to hundreds of devices communicating seamlessly. Multiple applications can share the same network.
• Power efficient: Devices can operate for years on small batteries.