Lantronix Case Studies Metering Technology Case Study

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	Metering Technology Case Study Lantronix

Metering Technology Case Study

Lantronix

Technology Category	Networks & Connectivity - Ethernet Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries	Utilities
Applicable Functions	Facility Management
Use Cases	Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Challenge	Quadlogic Controls is North America’s leading provider of Power Line Communications metering technology. The company’s digital electric Advanced Intelligent Smart Submetering Systems are in use in high-rise office, residential, commercial, and industrial facilities across the U.S. and Canada. In the face of rising energy costs, deregulated markets and complex energy pricing, the data provided by Quadlogic’s metering systems is critical to an organization’s energy management decisions. Quadlogic’s patented Power Line Communications technology utilizes a building’s existing power lines to transmit metered data, so no additional wiring or meter readers are required. When the system was first developed more than 25 years ago, it used a serial device via a telephone modem to enable communications with the outside world. As technology advanced and customer preference shifted from telephone service to Internet, the ability to offer network-enabled metering technology became an imperative if Quadlogic was to remain competitive. The decision was made to integrate the capability into its next-generation Power Line Communications system. Read More
About Customer	Founded in 1982, Quadlogic Controls is the leading provider of digital electric Advanced Intelligent Smart Submetering Systems in North America. Quadlogic’s metering systems are installed throughout the world in commercial and residential buildings Read More
Customer Name	Quadlogic Controls Read More
Solution	Incorporate the Lantronix UDS1100 device server into the design of the company’s next-generation submetering system to establish the serial-to-Ethernet connection. Quadlogic reviewed several competing Ethernet device servers extensively before selecting the Lantronix UDS1100 for its conversion needs. This singleport external device server is a quick, simple and economical way to bring the advantages of remote management to equipment not currently connected to a network. With the UDS1100, virtually any piece of equipment can be added to an Ethernet network in a matter of minutes, with support for RS232, RS422 and RS485 communications. “When we compared the devices, the Lantronix UDS1100 was more configurable and allowed for more protocols at the same price level,” says Thomas George, Director of Technical Services at Quadlogic. In addition, the UDS1100’s built-in web server enables Quadlogic to access and configure the device from a standard web browser using Lantronix’ development tools to easily customize the product for unique applications. “Set-up takes maybe 25 minutes, from powering up to connecting over the internet to our metering data,” says George. “In fact, the manual we created to show customers how to configure the system themselves has about 10 pages — and most of those pages are diagrams.” Read More Log in to view content
Data Collected	Communication Performance, Connectivity Status, Energy Consumption Rate, Energy Cost Per Unit, Speed Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Ethernet

Sensors - Utility Meters

Applicable Industries

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Use Cases

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Challenge

Quadlogic Controls is North America’s leading provider of Power Line Communications metering technology. The company’s digital electric Advanced Intelligent Smart Submetering Systems are in use in high-rise office, residential, commercial, and industrial facilities across the U.S. and Canada. In the face of rising energy costs, deregulated markets and complex energy pricing, the data provided by Quadlogic’s metering systems is critical to an organization’s energy management decisions. Quadlogic’s patented Power Line Communications technology utilizes a building’s existing power lines to transmit metered data, so no additional wiring or meter readers are required. When the system was first developed more than 25 years ago, it used a serial device via a telephone modem to enable communications with the outside world. As technology advanced and customer preference shifted from telephone service to Internet, the ability to offer network-enabled metering technology became an imperative if Quadlogic was to remain competitive. The decision was made to integrate the capability into its next-generation Power Line Communications system.

About Customer

Founded in 1982, Quadlogic Controls is the leading provider of digital electric Advanced Intelligent Smart Submetering Systems in North America. Quadlogic’s metering systems are installed throughout the world in commercial and residential buildings

Customer Name

Quadlogic Controls

Solution

Incorporate the Lantronix UDS1100 device server into the design of the company’s next-generation submetering system to establish the serial-to-Ethernet connection. Quadlogic reviewed several competing Ethernet device servers extensively before selecting the Lantronix UDS1100 for its conversion needs. This singleport external device server is a quick, simple and economical way to bring the advantages of remote management to equipment not currently connected to a network. With the UDS1100, virtually any piece of equipment can be added to an Ethernet network in a matter of minutes, with support for RS232, RS422 and RS485 communications. “When we compared the devices, the Lantronix UDS1100 was more configurable and allowed for more protocols at the same price level,” says Thomas George, Director of Technical Services at Quadlogic. In addition, the UDS1100’s built-in web server enables Quadlogic to access and configure the device from a standard web browser using Lantronix’ development tools to easily customize the product for unique applications. “Set-up takes maybe 25 minutes, from powering up to connecting over the internet to our metering data,” says George. “In fact, the manual we created to show customers how to configure the system themselves has about 10 pages — and most of those pages are diagrams.”

Data Collected

Communication Performance, Connectivity Status, Energy Consumption Rate, Energy Cost Per Unit, Speed

Impact #1	[Data Management - Data Integration] Quadlogic was able to achieve its top goal of more satisfied customers due to better integration with existing systems, more reliable communication, and faster connection/ data transfer speeds.
Impact #2	[Cost Reduction - Customer Service] Quadlogic customers will benefit from dramatically reduced support costs.

Impact #1

[Data Management - Data Integration]
Quadlogic was able to achieve its top goal of more satisfied customers due to better integration with existing systems, more reliable communication, and faster connection/ data transfer speeds.

Impact #2

[Cost Reduction - Customer Service]
Quadlogic customers will benefit from dramatically reduced support costs.

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Overview

Metering Technology Case Study

Operational Impact