MOSAIC
The Flexible Automatic Meter Reading Solution
Most utilities don't need convincing that fixed-network AMR is the way to go.
But that doesn't mean it's affordable or practical to upgrade all at once - particularly if it means replacing your current equipment.
With the new MOSAIC solution, Datamatic has pioneered a radically new approach to upgrading. Letting you do it at your own pace, based on your needs and budget - without wasting your current investments.
MOSAIC lets you combine walk-by, mobile and full mesh network in a single system, using the same FIREFLY® meter interface units. And it works with the meters you already have - plus any you might add in the future.
For the first time, you can move step-by-step towards the ultimate solution: a 100% true mesh fixed network - the most advanced meter reading system in the world, and the gold standard for flexibility and reliability.
Unsurpassed AMR technology, and an affordable way to get there. That's MOSAIC.
FLEXIBILITY
Combine walk-by, mobile and full mesh network in a single system!
MOSAIC is the first solution that lets you combine all three meter reading methodologies in a single system, using the same FIREFLY MIUs. This unique capability gives you unlimited flexibility in how you choose to migrate to more advanced technology.
Since AMR deployments are generally completed in phases, often over several years, most utilities will find themselves having to read a "mixed" system. MOSAIC was designed with this in mind, and can support walk-by RF reading in one area, mobile in another, and full mesh network functionality in yet another. And although most utilities will progress to full network capabilities, MOSAIC can operate indefinitely in any "transitional" state.
The result: you can upgrade at your own pace, in practical and affordable phases.
Works with the meters you already have. And those you'll have tomorrow.
One of the most powerful advantages of MOSAIC is its universal meter compatibility. Our FIRELY MIUs work with virtually any brand and type of meter, including encoders, pulsers and direct-reads. This allows you the option of continuing to use your current meters rather than replacing them when installing AMR. And, it means you're not locked into a particular brand in the future - so you can get more competitive bids.
Our FIREFLY MIUs work with all kinds of meters, including: water meters; electric meters; and gas meters from all these companies and more:
Water Meters (encoders, pulsers and direct-read)
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Electric Meters (electromechanical and solid-state)
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Gas Meters (diaphragm or rotary)
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RELIABILITY
A true full mesh network that virtually runs itself!
The MOSAIC network is "self-healing", able to ingeniously "fix" any issues that might interfere with the transmission of readings, without human intervention.
Every meter in your network, with its FIREFLY attached, acts as a signal repeater, able to relay not only its own information to the gateway, but also the information from neighboring meters.
This gives the network virtually unlimited ways to get the signal from any meter to the gateway, and from there to your back office. There's no limit to the number of "hops" the data can make on its way to the gateway.
And there's another benefit: MOSAIC's mesh design requires fewer gateways, which means lower cost!
Obstacles are no obstacle.
Through a capability we call "dynamic routing," MOSAIC routes data around obstructions, like hills or a dense cluster of buildings that present real problems for traditional "star" network designs.
MOSAIC can even adjust to unexpected new obstacles or issues, without human intervention. We call this remarkable ability to work around potential problems "self-healing."
Ready for anything.
MOSAIC gateways contain battery backups ensuring they can continue data collection and communications even during power outages.
32-bit CRC error checking ensures data integrity. And Forward Error Correction increases range by allowing even messages with missing bytes to be read.
The bottom line: you can COUNT ON your data getting through!
It's an intelligent, dynamic system that sets itself up AND works around potential problems, automatically. For unprecedented reliability and dramatic labor-saving.
INTELLIGENCE
Data You can Use.
Advanced meter reading is about more than getting mountains of metering data to the back office. It's also about getting better, more detailed, more insightful data.
With their ARM7 processor, FIREFLY MIUs actually have as much processing power as a typical PDA - so they have the brainpower to collect and analyze a wealth of meaningful data in addition to the usual usage readings.
FIREFLY MIUs store 240 days of usage profile data. You determine how often you want readings transmitted. And you can instruct the FIREFLY MIUs to automatically extract and transmit data if they detect abnormalities.
lways on the Alert.
FIREFLY MIUs can alert you to anomalies such as;
- conservation violations
- high usage
- leaks
- usage on inactive accounts
- tampering
- meter errors
- power outages
- non-compliance with watering or load curtailment regulations
MOSAIC's self-analysis and exception reporting relieve your people of the burden of analyzing meter data to identify problem areas. The bulk of the analysis is done for you, right at the meter!
"Pushing" the Limits.
Data doesn't just travel from your meters to the back office. It goes the other direction, too. Software updates, including configuration updates and new monitoring schedules, are pushed out through the network automatically. MOSAIC actually updates itself!
TECHNOLOGY
Engineered for unparalleled security, scalability and ease-of-use.
MOSAIC is Web-based, for flexible deployment and scalability.
The back office software is built around an industry-standard Microsoft-based software platform. It features Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) for hardware-level failover and scalability. And database support for MS SQL Server, Oracle 10g and IBM DB2. System performance reporting helps you ensure that MOSAIC is operating optimally as designed.
The software is easy to learn, use and understand, with a user-defined Graphical Dashboard that presents the information you need in a clear and intuitive format.
MOSAIC is easy to learn and use, with a Graphical Dashboard that clearly presents the information you need.
With data security becoming an increasingly important issue, MOSAIC is designed to jealously guard your data, using:
- 128-bit data encryption
- Salt II password encryption
- User-configurable password policies
- Role-based security
From the FIREFLY to your back office.
You have a range of options in getting your data from the gateways to your back office, including Ethernet and cellular standards like CDMA, GPRS and WiFi - with more options under development..
Again, since each FIREFLY acts as a repeater, you need fewer gateways to get your data to the back office.
MOSAIC uses secure and reliable frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology, and does not require users to obtain FCC licensing.
MOSAIC interfaces to any billing system, so you can build a seamless solution from meter to customer invoicing.
