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ELECTRICAL POWER METER READER THROUGH GSM NETWORK Mohd Helmy Abd Wahab1 *, Ahmad Zhafran Hayat Hussain2, Mohd Farhan Mohd Mohsin3 1,2 Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, P.O. Box 101, Pt. Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, MALAYSIA 3 College of Art and Science, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, MALAYSIA email : [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT Electricity is very important in life. It is a secondary energy source which means that we get it from the conversion of other sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power and other natural sources, which are called primary sources. Conventionally practiced in Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) send their representatives to every premise to take the meter reading of electricity usage. Sometimes problems might occur during the duties due to the bad weather and also inconvenience to enter the area of the premises. This kind of problems might cause wasting human energy, time and delay the billing process. This paper discussed the development of a system integrated with GSM network to send the electricity usage from the meter at premises directly to the central location of TNB office via GSM/SMS. The system also can improve process of meter reading rather than manual method in order to reduce the error. Keywords : Unit, GSM Modem, Generate Bill.

1

INTRODUCTION

Electrical energy is very important requirement in life and it is one of the most widely used forms of energy. Despite its great importance in daily lives, most people are rarely stopped to think what life would be like without electricity. Yet like air and water, people tend to take electricity for granted. From the applications of heat, light and power, electricity is a controllable and convenient form of energy. Usually, by checking the meter which regularly installed outside the premise, the residence would know the monthly usage of the electricity.

In Malaysia, every month Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) which one of the authorized organization send the representatives to get a reading of electrical usage from power meter at residence house. The meter reading is used to calculate the amount of usage to issue a bill. Through this contributed way, there are several difficulties such as if a meter is indoors, the gates is locked or a bad whether will disturb the duties of the meter readers. To reduce these kinds of difficulties, a new way of collecting meter reading is introduced by applying SMS technology that could automatically notify the authorized without visiting each meter to get the usage of the energy. The objectives of the project are stated as below: 1. To develop the prototype that can receive the data from the transmitter through GSM. 2. To develop the system that able to process and stored the data from the transmitter to the database. 3. To generate a bill from the collected data.

2

RELATED WORK

SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a technology that enables sending and receiving the messages between mobile phone. It was appeared in Europe in 1992. From the name of SMS (Short Message Services), the data that can be held is very limited. One SMS only can contain up to 160 characters in Latin characters like English alphabet. SMS also can support international languages including Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and Korean. Not only held text messages, it is possible to send ringtone, pictures, operator logos, wallpapers, animation and business cards. There are a lot of advantages of SMS such as the messages can be sent and read at any time and also to offline mobile phone, less disturbing during the communication with others, supported by 100% GSM mobile phones, can be exchanged between different wireless carrier (provider) and also suitable technology for wireless application [7]. Mobile phone

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has created a new style or medium for Nowadays in Malaysia, there are three main providers who provide SMS services. They are Maxis Communications, Celcom and Digi. Maxis and Celcom operate their service using GSM900 while Digi operate in GSM1800 frequency band. SMS can be sent to and from any of these GSM networks even they operate on different frequency. In types of notification, knows that SMS are one of the great methods to inform us about everything such as advertisement, sports, weather, business and studies. Recently, many students have problem in time management and organization problems. In [3] stated that they usually forget deadlines and have questions on numerous structural and organizational issues related to their dissertation. For examples, the format of research proposal, what to study for final exam, about oral exam, reference and articles. To overcome this, SMS development can be use to notify the student by sending a message through it via mobile phone. This shows that mobile device can be use directly in teaching and learning session not only as supporting tools. Many users accept on SMS Text services and preferred on demand SMS notification services [4]. Besides using mobile phone for communicates via SMS, internet also one of the systems that can be combined with short message services. The study indicated by [6] stated that, lecturer and students can use web site to send or received the information via SMS. This shows that instead of using mobile phone, the web access also can be use in communication based on SMS. Another tools that can be use is PDA which functionally of portable computing device due to current restriction for using mobile phones in school and classroom [2]. SMS have a lot of utilization. Users can know the data that send to them. The study made by [1] let the data that been sent can be displayed on LCD. This system can be applied in education via the notification from lecturer to student. But there are limitations on the maximum number displayed by LCD.

2.1

Application of SMS in Notification and Control

Recently, Internet and wireless communication have been used in home automations. With recent development in mobile computing devices and mobile networks, new and better

solution can be developed to make home automation more convenient and accessible from anywhere at anytime. This development system allows the homeowner to monitor and control their house appliances using his mobile phone set by sending commands in the form of SMS messages and receiving the appliances status as well [11]. The system also can be wired with panic switch that located in the owner premise where it can allow people to press the switch to seek help during emergency. The SMS usually took 7.5 second to reach the system [13]. Plus, in case of emergency, SMS system also can be used to alert us about the danger that been faced. Examples of flood or fire alert system, this can be integrated with SMS services [14] [15]. The residence will be alert about the disasters that faced by them and they can take early precaution to avoid its.

2.2

Hardware Development

A lot of equipment can be used in order to receive the information through Short Message Services. Instead of using the mobile phone, PDA and web sites, the SMS data also can be receiving via GSM Modem [16]. In this study, modem is the main equipment to receiving the data. Modem is a contraction of the Modulator and Demodulator. From the name description, both of the functions are included in the modem. During the transmitting part, the modem accepts the digital data and converts it to analog signal for use in modulating a carrier signal. At the receiver end of the system, the carrier is demodulation to recover the data in the signal. Modems are generally classified according to their important characteristic of transmission speed. A GSM modem is a wireless modem that works with a GSM wireless network. A wireless modem behaves like a dial-up modem. The main difference between them is that a dial-up modem sends and receives data through a fixed telephone line while a wireless modem sends and receives data through radio waves. The main equipment used in this project is Fastrack Modem M1206. This modem can support the transmission of Data, Fax, Short Message (Point to point and Cell Broadcast) and Voice calls. The modem comprises several interfaces which are LED function for indicating the operating status, external antenna (via SMA connector), RS 232 Serial and control link (via 15-pin SUB HD connector), Power supply (via 4pin Micro-Fit™ connector) and SIM card holder. Modem mechanical case is made out of aluminum profile ended by two holding bridles at each extremity. Figure 1 below shows the Fastrack Modem M1206 Series.

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035 Electrical Power Meter Reader Through GSM Network - Mohd Helmy Abd Wahab

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4.0 DATABASE DESIGN Figure 3 described an Entity Relationship Diagram for database design. Here is the compulsory entity but not a comprehensive entity that may required during integration. Since the goal of the system is as prototyping purposes, we generally focused on the compulsory entity. Figure 1: Fastrack Modem M1206 Series.

2.3

Software Development

In order to send and received the SMS data, there are several software needed to work with GSM Modem [17]. The software needed is AT commands which are used with HyperTerminal to work with GSM Modem and use high-level programming for examples Visual Basic, C/C++ programming or Java to send and receive the AT ASCII command and read messages at the computer from the serial port that the GSM modem is attached to.

METHODOLOGY In order to perform the project, there are five phases in the methodology which is investigation phase, analyzing phase, designing phase, implementation phase and maintenance phase as illustrated in figure 2.

Figure 3: Entity Relationship Model

Figure 3 above described the three important tables are required to calculate bill because it’s complement each other. Those tables indicated above used to generate a bill and report for the administrator.

5.0 IMPLEMENTATION

Figure 2: Phases of Methodology

The main important in system design is Graphical User Interface that is used for interaction. There are several modules that have been successfully developed such as Admin Login, Customer detail, Add or Edit Customer Detail, Transaction, Updating Bill Data, Edit Transaction Data, Bill and Help. After creating the database, the configuration between database and interface system. The communication has been done using ActiveX Data Object Data Control (ADODC). To communicate the table in Microsoft Access database to the interface system, it must be configure in ADODC. ADO is Microsoft’s newer database access technology. The goal of ADO is to allow programmer to use standard set of objects to access any type of data from any application on any type of computer. After configure it, the database can be communicate with the interfaces system. Then, the modem been configured to make sure the data from transmitter received by the receiver. An AT Command

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used to give instruction to modem. After complete all implementation, the system been run until it print bill. Customers

Stored customer detail

Penggunaan akhir Rate Cus_num Cus_name Cus_Tel Cus_address

Transaction

Stored all

Cus_num

information

Cus_name

about

Cus_Tel

customer

Previous

transaction

reading

tariff.

All of customer detail can be add, edit and erase in this database. All of the customer transaction in every month can be update in this database.

Latest reading Arrears

4.2 Command in Visual Basic for ADODC connection

Figure 4: Black diagram

Figure 4 illustrates the block diagram of the project. Firstly the data from the meter unit will be sent to GSM Modem via transmitter. Then it will communicate with the receiver from the software. The data from the hardware parts via transmitter that come from meter unit will be received and will be processed to generate bill. RS232 cable is the link for the data to flow to and from the GSM Modem. 4.1

cnn.Open "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source=path\system_bill.mdb; Persist Security Info=False"

Database Analysis

Microsoft Office Access 2003 has been used to create database. The database has divided into four tables which are AdminLogin, Tariff, Customers and Transaction. See Appendix A. All of these tables have their own function on data processing. Table 1: Database Table Description

TABLE NAME Staff

AdminLogin

Tariff

Visual Basic 6.0 has been used to communicate between the database and interface unit.

4.3 Administrator Module This module has been designed to protect the information in database. Only the administrator of the organization who owns an ID and password are recognized as authorized. If there is any attempt to trespass the database, the users are allowing to insert the password only three times. If the login fails, the system discards the access for respective user.

FUNCTION

ENTITY

DESCRIPTION

Stored administrator name and ID

Name

Staff detail

Stored administrator ID and Password Stored electric tariff rate

ID Admin ID

4.4 Interface Design This section describes the interface design for the automated data acquisition system through GSM network.

Password

The system has the security system.

RateID Penggunaan awal

The system will calculate the bill with the fixed

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035 Electrical Power Meter Reader Through GSM Network - Mohd Helmy Abd Wahab

Figure 7: Bill preview

4.7Transaction Module In this module, all of the calculations of the bill are automatically made by the system. The calculation of the bill are regarding to the tariff of electric usage provide by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). See appendix E. Below is the formula to calculate the electric bill: R1 = RM 0.218 for first 0 – 200 KWh usage R2 = RM 0.289 for 201-1000 KWh usage Figure 5: User profile

KWh (Usage) = Meter (Latest) – Meter (Previous) If electrical usage between 0 – 200 KWh, Total payment (RM) = (Electrical usage x Rate 1) + arrears If electrical usage between 201 - 1000 KWh, Total payment (RM) = (Electrical usage x Rate 2) + arrears In this module, the electrical usage for the month, current payment and the total payment for the month can be calculated. After that, all the data can be print out for customers. In the bill, the information such as customer number, customer name, latest and previous meter reading, electrical usage, current payment, arrears and total payment can be print out. 4.8 Update Data Module In this module, the data of previous reading, latest reading and arrears can be updated every month before calculated by the system. All the data received from the transmitter part through the modem. After update the data, it will be saved in database.

Figure 6: Transaction interface

5.0

CONCLUSION This on going research has shown the prototype of the billing system is executed according to the plan. However, there are some challenges in developing the system is the GSM configuration and database system. We are working in producing the comprehensive database design to convert the prototype into real system which populated with real data. Actual testing has not yet been performed. Since the prototype of the system using Microsoft Office Access and Visual Basic 6.0, we are now moving to SQL server for data migration system.

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REFERENCES [1] M.H.A. Wahab, S.Z.M.Muji, W.F.A. Nazri and A.Johari (2007) “Message Delivery through Electronic Notice Board using SMS” Proceeding of IEEE International Conference on Telecommunication and IEEE Malaysian International Conference of Communication 2007(ICT-MICC 07), 14 – 17 May 2007, Penang, Malaysia [2] Lars Bollen , Sabrina Eimler and H. Ulrich Hoppe (2003) “SMS-based Discussion – Technology Enhanced Collaboration for a Literature Course” Proceeding of The 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technology in Education 23 – 25 March 2004, National Central University, Taiwan. [3] Etekleous Mikleia (2006) “Mobile Devices to be applied as supporting tools in Research Methods Class for Undergraduates Students” Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Learning Sciences, Bloomington, Indiana. Pages pp. 918 - 919 [4] Glory Liu Sze Hui and Guok Tiong Hock (2004) “The Acceptance Of SMS Text Notification Service Among College Students in Malaysia” Proceeding of MMU International Symposium of Information and Communication Technologies 2004, 7 – 8 October 2004, pp. 5 – 8. [5] Krassie Petrova (2007) “Mobile Learning Using SMS: A MOBILE BUSSINESS APPLICATION” International Journal of Innovation and Learning (IJIL), Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 1 - 13 [6] Mohd Helmy Abd .Wahab, Norlida Hassan and Nurul Asni Abdullah Sani “Penyebaran Maklumat Menggunakan Teknologi Mudah Alih Dalam Pendidikan: Satu Pembangunan” Prosiding Seminar EPembelajaran. 8 – 10 Disember 2006, Kuala Lumpur [7] “SMS (Short Message Services) tutorial” http://www.developershome.com accessed on September 26, 2007 [8] Nilesh Agarwal, Leena Chandra-Wadia and Varsha Aple “Capacity Analysis of the GSM Short Message Services” (x lengkap, saya jumpa detail dia) [9] N. Papadoglou and E. Stipidis (1999) “Short message service link for automatic vehicle

location reporting” Electronics Letters 27th May 1999 Vol. 35 No. 11, pp. 121 – 126. [10] Hee-Seung Kim (2005) “A randomize controlled trial of a nurse short message services by cellular phone for people with diabetes” International Journal of Nursing Studies 44 (2007) pp. 687-692. [11] A.R. Al-Ali, M. AL Rousan and M. Mohandes (2003) “GSM-Based Wireless Home Appliance Monitoring & Control System” First IEEE International Conference Information & Communication Technologies: From Theory to Application. 19 – 23 April 2003, Damascus, Syria, pp. 237-238. [12] Philip Garner, Ian Mullins, Reuben Edwards and Paul Coulton. “Mobile Terminated SMS Billing – Exploits and Security Analysis” New Generation. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Information Technology: New Generations (ITNG'06) – Vol. 00 10 – 12 April 2006, pp .294 - 299 [13] Beh Kok Sing, Abdul Rahman B Ramli, V. Prakash and Syed Abdul Rahman bin Syed Mohamed (2003) “SMS gateway interface – remote monitoring and controlling via GSM SMS” 4th National Conference on Telecommunication Technology Proceeding, Shah Alam,Malaysia. 14 – 15 January 2003, Shah Alam, Malaysia [14] Lian Ai Fang (2004) “Mobile Fire Alert with SMS.” Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn: Tesis Ijazah Sarjana Muda (PSM). [15] Stephen Tan Huay Soon (2005) “Flood and Fire Detection Device and Warning System Using SMS” Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn: Tesis Ijazah Sarjana Muda (PSM). [16] JPG Technology Inc Telekomunikasi,IT & Multimedia – “Fastrack M1206 GSM/GPRS Wavecom” , http://www.wavecom.com accessed on September 2007 [17] “Using AT command to send and receive SMS from GSM modem using a computer.” http://www.control.com.sg accessed on October 2007 [18] “WISMO Quik Q24 Series Application Note and Design of GSM Modem”, http://www.wavecom.com accessed on September 2007

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