Using Wireless M-BUS 433MHz for Remote Water Meter Reading in the Middle East

Radiocrafts is now offering 433MHz Wireless MBUS modules, Rc1140-MBUS3, and RC1140-MPC1, targeting the Middle East Market.

Wireless communication systems based on Wireless M-Bus has proved its efficiency in terms of low power for battery operation, low operational cost and ease of installation and use.

The European Standard EN13757-4, Wireless M-Bus, was developed for reading battery operated meters, such as water, gas and heat meters. The original standard uses the 868 MHz license-free band in Europe. However, this frequency band is not globally available. To take advantage of the standard outside Europe, the OMS (Open Metering System) specification has defined the use of other frequency bands for Wireless M-Bus to become an international solution for meter reading.

Of particular interest is the 433 MHz band which is defined in the OMS (Open Metering System) specification in addition to 868MHz and 169MHz. 433MHz is available in most countries in the Middle East. The Radiocrafts RC1140-MBUS3 radio module with embedded Wireless M-Bus protocol is a very compact module solution readily available at 433 MHz. With a size of merely 12 x 25 mm it can be integrated into any electronic (static or ultrasound) water meter, as well as into a “clip-on” for mechanical meters.

A variant of the module, RC1140-MPC1 provides a pulse interface and a configurable radio transmission scheduler, making a complete system for reading meters with potential free pulse outputs or reed switches.

The RC1140-MBUS3 / MPC1 module targets water meter reading applications in the Middle East, and is already used in deployments in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.