News
Comverge and KYOCERA Wireless Collaborate on Under-Glass Automated Meter Reading Gateway
Maingate® S4e Endpoint Provides Cost-effective Solution for On-demand Wireless Data Communication and Remote Management
SAN DIEGO and EAST HANOVER, NJ -- (February 8, 2006) -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless handsets and devices, and Comverge, a leading Demand Response company, today announced their collaboration on the Comverge Maingate® S4e endpoint, Comverge's first under-glass automated meter reading (AMR) gateway to integrate the award-winning Kyocera 200 Module, enabling cost-effective, real-time CDMA wireless data communication for electric utility applications. Designed to replace existing commercial or industrial meters, the Maingate S4e endpoint embodies next-generation AMR technology in Comverge's first under-glass device to achieve wireless network certification. It has been approved for use with the four largest CDMA carriers in North America.
Developed jointly by Comverge and Landis +Gyr, the innovative Maingate S4e endpoint uses the scalable and flexible Kyocera 200 Module to enable real-time communication while leveraging the CDMA wireless network and reducing ongoing maintenance and operations costs as AMR systems evolve and expand over time. As the number of installed endpoints grows, each Maingate S4e endpoint can be easily and remotely upgraded from circuit-switched (CST) and packet assembly/disassembly (PAD) modes to the more robust and cost-effective multiple message service. This ultimately saves money by reducing the wireless air-time consumed by up to 50 percent as it enhances the endpoint's speed and reliability. Ideal for commercial and industrial complexes, the Maingate S4e's rugged and innovative design remotely monitors and manages internal temperature to ensure a lifecycle of more than 15-years.
"With the Kyocera 200 Module Maingate S4e endpoint integration, Comverge customers get a robust and sophisticated AMR solution that is easily tailored to meet the specific needs of different service territories," said Dean Fledderjohn, general manager of the M2M division at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Utility companies have readily embraced CDMA AMR systems because of their broad network coverage, superior data capabilities and appropriate operator service plans. The Maingate S4e provides these companies with a much-anticipated, easy-to-deploy solution for remote energy management."
By leveraging Comverge's PowerCam™ End-to-End Energy Intelligence™ software solution with the Maingate S4e endpoints, utility customers can view usage data in real time via a Web interface and respond immediately to power quality and outage alarms. Together, the products are powerful tools to support voluntary load-control programs, remote meter reading, price-responsive programs, time-of-use billing, distributed-generation monitoring, outage notification and more. The endpoint also allows customers to reduce ongoing maintenance and operation costs through the innovative use of the optical port and LCD interface for programming -- also a first for the wireless AMR industry.
"This new Maingate S4e endpoint is the most advanced underglass endpoint available on the market today," said Bud Vos, Comverge Vice President of Marketing, Products, and Strategy. "With the Maingate S4e, we're able to offer our customers reliable, proven AMR capabilities with significant cost savings."
For information on where to purchase Comverge products and software solutions, please call 888.565.5525 or visit the Comverge web site, www.comverge.com.
About the Kyocera 200 Module
The Kyocera 200 Module is designed to enable M2M and telemetry applications such as AVL, Fleet Management, SCADA, asset tracking, remote metering or security, wireless vending, exception reporting and wireless point-of-sale. The module is equipped with CDMA tri-mode capability (including AMPS), A-GPS position location capability and support for IS-2000 data rates (153KBps on forward and reverse links). Other features and functions include two-way Short Messaging Service (SMS) capabilities; simple and mobile IP; CDMA UDP Passive Server; TCP/IP protocol stack; AT command interface; socket interface, dual UARTs; analog audio; GPS and RF connectors; high-speed packet and circuit-switched data; and support for both 13k QCELP and EVRC vocoders.
Known for its strong carrier relationships, helpful developer tools and excellent customer service, Kyocera Wireless offers periodic developer conferences to assist module adopters and support wireless integration into OEM products and systems. A developer's kit and programming tools are available for purchase by module customers. For additional information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com/m2m-business.
About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. Kyocera Wireless maintains an operating belief in the genius of simplicity and strives to make the wireless experience as simple and intuitive as humanly possible. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2005, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$11 billion (JP¥ 1,180,655 million) with net income of approximately US$429 million (JP¥ 45,908 million).
About Comverge
Comverge, Inc., The Power in Power TechnologyTM, is a leading energy intelligence company recently recognized as one of Red Herring's Top 100 Private Companies in North America for 2005. Comverge's investors include Nth Power, EnerTech Capital, Data Systems & Software, Inc. (OTCBB: DSSI), E.ON Venture Partners GmbH (NYSE: EON), Ridgewood Capital, Easton Hunt Capital Partners, L.P., Norsk Hydro Technology Ventures (NYSE: NHY), Rockport Capital Partners, and Shell Internet Ventures, an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (NYSE: RD). Comverge is represented across the world with offices and research facilities in Atlanta, Georgia; East Hanover, NJ; Newark, California; Pensacola, Florida; and Tel Aviv, Israel. Providing software and system solutions to over 500 clients in the electric utility industry, Comverge implements both integrated and outsourced solution based models for remote meter reading, distributed generation monitoring, and time-of-use billing and demand response, and direct or voluntary load control initiatives. For more information visit www.comverge.com.
© 2006 Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Maingate is a registered trademark of Comverge. PowerCamp™ and End-to-End Energy Intelligence™ are trademarks of Comverge. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.
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