Broadband is not only used to connect to the internet. Digi International (News - Alert) has recently introduced the ConnectPort X wireless M-Bus gateway family which can connect electricity, gas and water meters to an energy service provider via broadband.

 

ConnectPort X is used for metering applications in Europe. Featuring versions with cellular, Ethernet, and Wireless M-Bus connectivity, it has has been found to be cost-effective and seamlessly integrates with the iDigi Energy wireless M2M solutions bundle which features the hosted software and services. Such software is essential to integrate Smart Grid devices into enterprise business applications.

 

The addition of Wireless M-Bus has enabled Digi to offer gateways that can support all major European wireless standards used for Smart Metering applications and expands the ability to serve Smart Energy customers throughout Europe.

 

“The Wireless M-Bus standard is becoming widely accepted in Europe as a basis for new Advanced Metering Infrastructure applications,” said Frederic Luu, vice president of sales and marketing for EMEA, Digi International.

 

Luu added that these gateways made it extremely easy for energy service providers to quickly and easily access the wireless M-Bus meters over cellular or Ethernet connections. They can communicate with the meters that are completely managed by the Digi gateway and enable innovative Smart Grid services.

 

Once a Wireless M-Bus Smart Meter is installed, the gateway can join that network over public networks and offer enhanced energy service.

 

The product family includes the Ethernet-to-Wireless M-Bus ConnectPort X2, and cellular-to-Wireless M-Bus ConnectPort X4 and ConnectPort X8.

 

ConnectPort X gateways with Wireless M-Bus feature easy-to-use local customizable open scripting standards via Python. This allows customers to leverage the in-home processing capability of the gateway to optimize their energy service offerings. The gateways also include extensive protocol support including UDP (News - Alert)/TCP, DHCP and SNMPv1.

 

ConnectPort X gateways with Wireless M-Bus are available now starting at $136.

 

Digi International is making wireless M2M easy by developing reliable products and solutions to connect and securely manage local or remote electronic devices over the network or via the Web. It offers a high level of performance, and quality products.

 

In related news, Digi International has introduced the industry’s first ZigBee Smart Energy ready modules and certified Energy Service Portal gateways built on these modules. As Joe Dunsmore, CEO, Digi International, said, “Digi is taking a leadership role in creating the Smart Grid.”