Electricity Metering 4G/LTE Gateway System is a communication system based on 4G/LTE cellular service that enables remote metering of electrical energy. The system consists of a 4G/LTE communication device connected to a standard single-phase or three-phase electricity meter via an RS-485 interface. The device performs periodic meter readings at fixed intervals and transmits the data to a remote server using a TCP session over the 4G/LTE network. The device can be configured locally through the provided RS-232 configuration interface or remotely via the server. The system includes software for RS-232-based configuration as well as software for visualizing the received data. The communication protocol used is specifically designed to meet all functional requirements of the system. Two LED indicators provide information about the remote server connection status and RS-485 interface activity.

The 4G/LTE gateway device is compatible with all single- and three-phase electricity meters that support the IEC 62056-21 protocol over an RS-485 interface. The device features an industrial-grade, GSM/4G/LTE-certified communication module that ensures reliable 4G/LTE connectivity. It is powered directly from the phase voltage of the electrical grid, simplifying installation and eliminating the need for an external power adapter. Two LED indicators provide real-time information about the remote server connection status and RS-485 activity. The device’s firmware is fully developed and optimized to meet the specific functional requirements of the system. It is based on the real-time operating system FreeRTOS, providing both flexibility and high reliability. The TCP session used to connect to the remote server is initiated by the device, and its parameters are configurable. The device includes non-volatile memory that allows storage of all meter readings for up to one week. If the connection to the remote server is lost, all unsent readings are automatically transmitted once the connection is restored. The device supports firmware updates via the RS-232 interface or over the 4G/LTE network. It also supports session termination mode, in which the device operates as a TCP server. Both fully encrypted and plaintext communication are supported, as well as a fully transparent mode that enables direct communication between the meter and the remote server.

✓ RS485 interface for connection to the electric meter;
✓ RS232 interface for initial configuration;
✓ Certified 4G/LTE module with support for an external GSM antenna;
✓ Non-volatile memory for storing the recorded readouts;
✓ Built-in power supply module, allowing operation without an external power adapter;
✓ Type “Mini” SIM card holder (25mm x 15mm);
✓ LED indicators for connection status and RS485 interface activity;
✓ Jumpers for restoring factory settings and setting the mode;
✓ SMA connector for external GSM antenna;
✓ DIN rail mounting enclosure, simplifying the installation process;
✓ Firmware, based on a reliable and flexible real-time operating system;
✓ Support for IEC62056-21 communication standard for connection to the electricity meter;
✓ Support for TCP session and DNS protocol for connection to the remote server or client;
✓ Support for firmware updates via RS232 interface or the remote server over the 4G/LTE communication service;
✓ Support for session termination with timeout provides fast and efficient network usage with minimal resources;
✓ Support for fully encrypted and plaintext communication modes;
✓ Capability for transparent communication between the electric meter and the remote server;

The configuration software uses the RS-232 interface to connect to the communication device. It provides full configuration of all device settings and allows reading, modifying, and writing any group of parameters, including reading interval, 4G/LTE settings, TCP session settings, and meter RS-485 communication settings. Device reset, factory reset, and firmware updates can be performed through the easy-to-use GUI interface. The software also enables and configures encrypted communication mode.

✓ RS232 interface to connect to the device;
✓ Read/Modify/Write all device parameters;
✓ Configuration of periodic readout parameters;
✓ Configuration of connection and TCP session parameters;
✓ Configuration of RS485 parameters for meter communication;
✓ Service commands for restoring factory settings and device restart;
✓ Configuring encrypted and plaintext communication mode parameters;

The communication server software initiates and establishes a remote connection with the device and displays the received readouts. It can create a TCP server or TCP client for device connection in all modes. The software allows configuration of all device settings, including automatic readout timeout, communication settings, TCP session settings, and RS-485 communication settings. All settings are changed in real time and take effect after a device restart. The software demonstrates the communication protocol used and has been developed to meet the specific requirements of the system. Additionally, the software enables reading and synchronization of the meter’s real-time clock, controlling the meter’s integrated relay contact, processing the meter’s event log, and managing the meter’s load profile. The readout data is received in both text format, displayed in a text console, and digital format, shown in the respective fields. Real-time and memory readouts are stored in separate LOG files for future analysis. These files contain data for a 24-hour period, including both the meter sample time and the readout receipt time. The LOG file format allows sorting based on any available readout parameter. The software also supports configuration of both encrypted and plaintext communication modes and provides an easy way to test the transparent communication mode offered by the device.

✓ Built-in TCP server for TCP session initiated by the device;
✓ Built-in TCP client for TCP session initiated to the device;
✓ Read, modify, and save all device parameters;
✓ Configuration of the automatic readout interval;
✓ Configuration of connection parameters;
✓ Configuration of TCP session related parameters;
✓ Configuration of RS485 communication parameters;
✓ Available service commands for device restart, factory reset, session control, and firmware update;
✓ Process meter options: real-time clock, relay contact, event log, load profile;
✓ Receive and visualize reports in real time in text format according to the IEC62056-21 standard;
✓ Receive and visualize reports in real time in digital format in the respective visualization fields;
✓ Storing all real-time and memory readouts in a LOG files, including meter sample time and redout received time;
✓ Bidirectional control of the TCP session;
✓ Switching between encrypted and plaintext communication modes;
✓ Configuring and switching between the supported non-transparent and transparent communication types;