Universal Metering Interface
Encyclopedia
UMI is a set of 3 free open specifications for smart metering and smart home products. The UMI specifications define; a module interface based on SPI, an optical communications interface based on EN62056-21 (FLAG port) and a security interface based on ECC-256 and AES-128. The UMI interfaces are used in utility meters (electricity, gas, water, heat), displays, gateways and appliances.
The specifications can be downloaded from :
Communication modules can developed for a number of wired and wireless communication standards, including but not exhaustively:
The UMI topology is a star network similar to USB but much lower power making it suitable for battery powered devices such as gas or water meters. The system comprises a host and up to 15 peripherals connected through the physical layer of a 10-pin ultra-low power IDC
.
announced its intention to have smart meter
s in every home (approximately 22 million gas and 26 million electricity meters) by 2020. Similar plans exist for many other European nations.
However, many of the communication standards within the 'smart network' are yet to be decided, due to fears that with any single standard there is not enough experience with regard to long-term stability, or uncertainty of its performance in mass applications, or open questions concerning battery life. This leads some to view "communications as the Achilles' heel
of the entire system".
UMI provides a single, universal connector separating the functions of the smart grid device and its communication modules. UMI allows for the development and mass production of smart meters and smart grid devices before the communication standards are fixed, with the relevant communications modules being easily added or exchanged when the standards are stable. This lowers the risk of investing in the wrong standard and permits a single product to be used over a large region (e.g Europe or USA) even if other requirements and standards (e.g communications, security) vary for smaller regions (e.g countries or states).
and available without licensing fees. The responsibility for maintaining and publishing the UMI standard is performed by a collection of companies grouped as the UMI Alliance. The UMI Alliance will be formed as an independent, not-for-profit organisation when the members want it.
The specifications can be downloaded from :
Overview
The aim of UMI is to provide a universal ultra-lower power interface between a smart metering device and one or more communication modules. A smart metering device could be a:- smart meterSmart meterA smart meter is usually an electrical meter that records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes. Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the...
(e.g. gasGas meterA gas meter is used to measure the volume of fuel gases such as natural gas and propane. Gas meters are used at residential, commercial, and industrial buildings that consume fuel gas supplied by a gas utility. Gases are more difficult to measure than liquids, as measured volumes are highly...
, electricityElectricity meterAn electricity meter or energy meter is a device that measures the amount of electric energy consumed by a residence, business, or an electrically powered device....
, waterWater meterA water meter is a device used to measure the volume of water usage. This article provides an overview of technical aspects of water meters. The worldwide prevalence of metering as well as its economic benefits and costs are covered in the separate article on water metering.In many developed...
, heatHeat meterthumb|right|Heat meter in a [[District heating substation]] in a residential neighborhood. Right in whit-blue: the calculator; in the center in bronze: the ultrasonic flow meter...
) - hub e.g. MUC (Multi Utility Communications)
- gateway (e.g. from LAN to WAN)
- home energy monitor/displayHome energy monitorA home energy monitor provides prompt, convenient feedback on electrical or other energy use. Devices may also display cost of energy used, and estimates of greenhouse gas emissions...
- 'smart' or home automationHome automationHome automation is the residential extension of "building automation". It is automation of the home, housework or household activity. Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC , appliances, and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and...
appliances - head end computer (as a virtual UMI device)
Communication modules can developed for a number of wired and wireless communication standards, including but not exhaustively:
- BluetoothBluetoothBluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
and Bluetooth low energyBluetooth low energyBluetooth low energy is a feature of Bluetooth 4.0 wireless radio technology, aimed at new, principally low-power and low-latency, applications for wireless devices within a short range... - Dect
- GSM
- KNXKNX (standard)KNX is a standardized , OSI-based network communications protocol for intelligent buildings. KNX is the successor to, and convergence of, three previous standards: the European Home Systems Protocol , BatiBUS, and the European Installation Bus...
- M-BusMeter-BusM-Bus is a European standard for the remote reading of gas or electricity meters. M-Bus is also usable for other types of consumption meters. The M-Bus interface is made for communication on two wire, making it very cost effective...
(Wireless and Wired) - PLCPower line communicationPower line communication or power line carrier , also known as power line digital subscriber line , mains communication, power line telecom , power line networking , or broadband over power lines are systems for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission.A wide range...
- Wi-FiWi-FiWi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
- Z-WaveZ-WaveZ-Wave is a proprietary wireless communications protocol designed for home automation, specifically to remote control applications in residential and light commercial environments...
- ZigBeeZigBeeZigBee is a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on an IEEE 802 standard for personal area networks. Applications include wireless light switches, electrical meters with in-home-displays, and other consumer and industrial...
(at 2.4 GHz or 868 MHz) - WavenisWavenisWavenis Wireless Technology is a 2-way Wireless connectivity platform dedicated to serving M2M applications. The main requirements in today's data-centric M2M industry are quite different from broadband and hi-speed Internet connections, and generally focus on providing ways to transmit small...
The UMI topology is a star network similar to USB but much lower power making it suitable for battery powered devices such as gas or water meters. The system comprises a host and up to 15 peripherals connected through the physical layer of a 10-pin ultra-low power IDC
Insulation-displacement connector
An Insulation-displacement connector, insulation-displacement technology/termination or insulation-piercing connector is an electrical connector designed to be connected to the conductor of an insulated wire or cable by a connection process which forces a selectively sharpened blade or blades...
.
Smart Meter Roll-out
In 2009 the United Kingdom the Department of Energy and Climate ChangeDepartment of Energy and Climate Change
The Department of Energy and Climate Change is a British government department created on 3 October 2008 by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take over some of the functions of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs...
announced its intention to have smart meter
Smart meter
A smart meter is usually an electrical meter that records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes. Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the...
s in every home (approximately 22 million gas and 26 million electricity meters) by 2020. Similar plans exist for many other European nations.
However, many of the communication standards within the 'smart network' are yet to be decided, due to fears that with any single standard there is not enough experience with regard to long-term stability, or uncertainty of its performance in mass applications, or open questions concerning battery life. This leads some to view "communications as the Achilles' heel
Achilles' heel
An Achilles’ heel is a deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common.- Origin :In Greek...
of the entire system".
UMI provides a single, universal connector separating the functions of the smart grid device and its communication modules. UMI allows for the development and mass production of smart meters and smart grid devices before the communication standards are fixed, with the relevant communications modules being easily added or exchanged when the standards are stable. This lowers the risk of investing in the wrong standard and permits a single product to be used over a large region (e.g Europe or USA) even if other requirements and standards (e.g communications, security) vary for smaller regions (e.g countries or states).
Open Standard
UMI is an open standardOpen standard
An open standard is a standard that is publicly available and has various rights to use associated with it, and may also have various properties of how it was designed . There is no single definition and interpretations vary with usage....
and available without licensing fees. The responsibility for maintaining and publishing the UMI standard is performed by a collection of companies grouped as the UMI Alliance. The UMI Alliance will be formed as an independent, not-for-profit organisation when the members want it.