Itron Field Collection System Payload Processing

Payload processing for Itron Field Collection System (FCS) involves two main stages:

  • Creation of a "Meter Read Download" file to be sent to FCS detailing the meters to be read, based on Measurement Cycles, Measurement Cycle Routes, and Measurement Cycle Schedules. See Creating Meter Read Download Files below for more information about this process.
  • Processing of meter read data received from FCS. Previous topics in this section include details regarding FCS payload processing.

Configuration of Itron FCS payload processing requires similar set up and configuration as other adapters. Some specifics regarding configuration for Itron FCS processing include the following:

  • Object Storage Locations: Itron FCS payload processing uses object storage locations (including Key Rings, Key Pairs and File Storage Configuration extendable lookup values) to capture usage payloads received from the head end system.

  • Head End Systems and Extendable Lookups: Itron payload processing uses head end system and extendable lookup configuration in the same manner as other adapters.

  • SGG Payload Processing Configuration Extendable Lookup Values: These values define payload processing details for the Itron FCS head end system (which is referenced on the payload processing batch control).

  • Payload Processing Batch Controls: A batch control used for payload process (based on a template batch control provided with the base package)

  • Master Configuration: Configuration settings for Itron FCS meter read download and payload processing. See Itron Field Collection Master Configuration in Master Configurations for more information.

Characteristic Types and Lookups

Configuration of Itron FCS requires defining values for a number of characteristic types and lookups used to define specific values used with FCS. Characteristics types are referenced on the FCS master configuration, while lookups are used in both the FCS master configuration and FCS extendable lookups. Characteristic types can also be used to define characteristics on contacts, devices, measurement cycle routes, and service points (indicated in parentheses).These include the following:

Characteristic Types:

  • FCS Beep Flag (Service Point)
  • FCS Cost Center Code (Contact)
  • FCS Instruction Location Code 1 (Service Point)
  • FCS Instruction Location Code 3 (Service Point)
  • FCS Optical Probe ID (Device)
  • FCS Special Code (Contact)
  • FCS State (Measurement Route Cycle)
  • FCS Special Message (Service Point)
  • FCS Tamper Count1 (Device)
  • FCS Tamper Count2 (Device)
  • FCS Transport Mode Code (Measurement Route Cycle)

Lookups:

  • WorkSet Type (WORK_​SET_​TYPE)
  • Wakeup Tone (WAKEUP_​TONE)
  • FCS Read Method (FCS_​READ_​METHOD_​FLG)

Creating FCS Meters

Devices used with the Itron FCS head end system must be created using the FCS - Manual Meter (D1-FCSManualMeter) business object. This means you must create at least one device type whose Device Business Object is "FCS - Manual Meter" that will be used as the device type for FCS devices.

Creating FCS Meter Read Download Files

The FCS meter read download process is based on pre-defined measurement cycles, measurement cycle routes, and measurement cycle schedules. Refer to Measurement Cycles and Measurement Cycle Schedules for more information about settings up measurement cycles, measurement cycle routes, and measurement cycle schedules.

Once this data is in place, a series of batch processes are used to create and process meter read cycle schedule routes, create a meter read download activity, and create the meter read file to be sent to FCS.

The following batch processes should be run in the following order to create FCS meter read download files.

  • FCS Create Measurement Cycle Schedule Routes (D1FCSCMS): This process creates Schedule Routes for Measurement Cycle Schedules whose schedule selection date is the same as the batch business date.

  • SP Measurement Cycle Schedule Route (D1-CSPSR): This process creates instances of the FCS SP / Measurement Cycle Schedule Route (D1-FCSSPMsrmtCycScheduleRoute) in the Pending state.

    Note: The Business Object parameter must be set to FCS SP / Measurement Cycle Schedule Route (D1-FCSSPMsrmtCycScheduleRoute) when running this process.
  • Process SP / MC Schedule Route Records (D1-PSPSR): This process transitions all D1-FCSSPMsrmtCycScheduleRoute Business Object in Pending state to the Complete state.
    • The FCS Create Meter Read Download Activity (D1-FCSCMRDA) Enter algorithm creates a Meter Read Download Activity in Pending state if there is an active Install Event for the service point within the referenced Scheduled Date Time from Measurement Cycle Schedule Route.
    • The Meter Read Download Activity will be automatically transitioned to the Extracted state, where the FCS Create General Process (D1-FCSCGPE) Enter algorithm that creates records in the General Process table.
    Note: The Business Object parameter must be set to FCS SP / Measurement Cycle Schedule Route (D1-FCSSPMsrmtCycScheduleRoute) when running this process.
  • FCS Meter Read Download Pre-Processing (D1-MRDPP): This process extracts the activity from the General Process record with the current batch control and batch number, and creates a new record with batch control and next batch number.
  • FCS Meter Read Download (D1FCSMRD): This process retrieves the records in the General Process table and related tables (Activity, Measurement Cycle Route, and so on) that match its batch control name and current batch number and generates an XML file containing corresponding meter records. This file is sent to FCS.s