CarinaPoint™ Cellular Communication Solution

The widespread adoption of cellular communications infrastructure across the U.S. makes it an ideal platform for many utilities to become introduced to our CarinaPoint™ Solution and Migration Path.

Carina Technology, Inc. presents its CarinaPoint™ Automated Meter Disconnect (AMD) product as a key element of a cellular-based utility solution. Each device contains a cellular radio that communicates using digital messages on the North America AMPS control channel. The control channel provides the most ubiquitous coverage in North America, with majority coverage in populated areas.

Each CTI radio has a unique “Electronic Serial Number” (ESN) assigned by the radio manufacturer, and a unique “Mobile Identification Number” (MIN) used by CTI and the cellular system to route messages to the device. CTI owns a unique block of MINs that are non-dialable – which means that no person on the public phone network can dial in to a unit on the system.

Cellular System Reliability Features:

• Each message sent to the CTI radio is sent up to 5 times; a three-out-of-five voting scheme and BCH validation is applied to ensure the correct command has been received.
• Each individual AMPS control channel message contains error detection and correction code.
  
  

Cellular System Security Features:

• Radio is compliant with EIA-553 and IS-41 standards governing secure cellular communications.
• MINs are non-dialable, no person can dial these MINs from the public phone network.
• The use of multiple MINs to communicate messages greatly complicates intrusion attempts to control the end device.
• Messages are validated by both the network switch and CTI.
• CTI uses an encrypted proprietary, non-published protocol over multiple MINs to transmit data.
  
  

Aggregate Network Switching Center

CTI's communications aggregation partner maintains contracts and direct network connections to all of the largest carriers (over 50) in North America, (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, TMobile, etc).

Our partner maintains connections to the cellular carriers through the telecommunications industry’s SS7 network. The SS7 network is a secure, highly redundant and fault tolerant network that interconnects the telecommunications industry.

Carina System Security

All elements of CTI's wireless communication and control solution are designed to provide for a reliable, secure application. Several of our own customers have completed intrusion and risk assessments, and concluded that the elements of this system provide strong security relative to distribution automation and control functions.

For large deployments, CTI's Engineering Services can provide customized security solutions to meet the needs of the customer’s application. Contact your CTI sales representative to discuss these needs.

Also see more about Carina's technology:
Hardware Technology
Software Technology
Technical Specifications
Cellular Communication
Broadband Communication
Technology Overview
 

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CarinaPoint™ AMD
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