Field & Communication Hardware
AmbiPower Retrofit Module
A communication and edge-intelligence module that retrofits onto an existing revenue meter. Rather than acting as a transparent modem, it runs the complete DLMS stack at the edge — association, OBIS resolution, parsing and buffering happen at the meter — so structured, HES-ready data leaves the site instead of raw frames.
Where it fits
The module sits at the meter and connects to its communication port. It parses the meter’s DLMS/COSEM data locally against the IS 15959 object set and forwards structured data to the utility’s Head End System — keeping the existing meter in service as the revenue-metrology device and leaving backend integration HES-agnostic.
What it does
- Complete DLMS stack at the edge — structured output, not raw pass-through frames
- DLMS/COSEM parsing against the IS 15959 object set
- Scheduled, on-demand and load-profile (long-window) reads
- Two-way Head End System communication, subject to the meter and protocol
- Local buffering and store-and-forward through communication outages
- Last-gasp / first-breath outage reporting from an on-board rechargeable battery
- Forwards meter-generated tamper, event and billing information
- HES-agnostic integration, or CSV output for direct use
- Remotely managed module firmware
How it works
- Retrofits onto the existing meter’s communication port — no meter replacement.
- Runs the complete DLMS stack at the edge: opens the DLMS association, resolves OBIS objects and parses the meter data locally.
- Buffers readings on the module and stores-and-forwards them through a communication outage.
- Sends structured data upstream to any Head End System over the chosen backhaul.
- Reports outages: last gasp on power failure and first breath on restoration, from its own rechargeable battery, and forwards meter-generated tamper and billing events.
Typical use cases
- AMI-enabling meters already installed in the field, without replacing them
- Getting structured, parsed meter data upstream without depending on downstream middleware to interpret the meter protocol
- Phased modernisation of a metering estate, one section at a time
Technical specifications
- Meter link: DLMS serial or MODBUS RS-485; optical-to-serial converter supported
- Data model: DLMS/COSEM with the IS 15959 object set (parsed at the edge)
- Backhaul: LTE Cat-1 (4G), NB-IoT, or RF mesh
- Backend protocols: MQTT, HTTPS or FTPS to any backend; dual-stack IPv4/IPv6
- Transport security: TLS 1.2 (module-to-backend transport)
- Outage reporting: Last-gasp / first-breath on on-board rechargeable battery
- Form factor: Common single-phase / three-phase design; fits the existing enclosure; conforms to IEC safety standards
Capabilities marked “subject to the meter” depend on what the underlying meter exposes. For a full datasheet, please contact our team.
FAQ
Questions
Does the Retrofit Module just pass meter data through, or does it process it?
It processes it. Rather than acting as a transparent modem that forwards raw DLMS frames for the head end to interpret, the module runs the complete DLMS stack at the edge — opening the DLMS association, resolving OBIS objects and parsing the data at the meter — so structured, HES-ready data leaves the site.
Which meters has the Retrofit Module been tested with?
IS 15959 support has been demonstrated with the module retrofitted onto Secure’s Premier 300, Sprint 350 and Saral 305 meters. Because DLMS object models and optical-port behaviour vary across meter makes and firmware vintages, interoperability is validated per meter model rather than assumed.
Does the Retrofit Module require replacing the meter?
No. It retrofits onto the existing meter’s communication port and leaves the meter in service as the revenue-metrology device, so a utility can add smart-metering communications without swapping the meter.
Can the module send data to our existing Head End System?
Yes. Backend integration is HES-agnostic — structured data can be delivered to any head end over MQTT, HTTPS or FTPS, or as CSV files for direct use.
What happens to readings during a network or power outage?
The module buffers readings locally and stores-and-forwards them once the link returns. On power failure it sends a last-gasp notification, and a first-breath notification on restoration, using its own rechargeable battery.
Interested in the AmbiPower Retrofit Module?
Talk to the AmbiPower team about your deployment.