Coverage Extension for the UK Smart Meter Implementation Programme Using Mesh Connectivity

Smart meters (SM) with wireless capabilities are one of the most meaningful applications Internet Things. Standards like Zigbee have found a niche in transmitting data on energy usage to user and supplier wirelessly via these communication hubs. There still certain difficulties, notably delivering connectivity situated difficult-to-reach locations such as basements or deep indoors. To solve this issue, paper investigates mesh networks at 868 MHz, particularly increase coverage, proposes an additional mounted antenna significantly outside coverage while providing necessary extension for hard-to-reach indoor locations. Extensive measurements were made Newbury both suburban open environments validation delivery simple statistical model MHz band United Kingdom conurbations. Results presented estimate that can accommodate large areas constituting several SMs proposed method. With our findings methods connectivity, only 1% UK premises will require radios achieve desired coverage.