Optimized smart meter reporting schedule

A method for operating a smart meter connected via a power line to a control entity, comprising:

• collecting meter data of the smart meter,
• receiving at least one transmission parameter, the at least one transmission parameter allowing a reporting time for a measurement report comprising the collected meter data for the smart meter to be determined,
• determining a reporting time taking the received transmission parameter into account,
• transmitting the measurement report to the control entity at the determined reporting time.

A scheduler configured to determine at least one transmission parameter for each of a plurality of smart meters which each transmit, via power line communication, a measurement report to a control entity, the at least one transmission parameter allowing a reporting time for a corresponding smart meter to be determined, the scheduler comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory contains instructions executable by said at least one processor whereby the scheduler is operative to:
• collect at least one status parameter for each of the plurality of smart meters, the at least one status parameter influencing a success rate of the transmission of the corresponding measurement report to the control entity, and
• determine, for each of the plurality of smart meters, the at least one transmission parameter allowing the reporting time for the corresponding smart meter to be determined, based on the collected at least one status parameter.

A smart meter configured to generate measurement data, the smart meter comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a memory coupled with the at least one processor, the memory containing instructions executable by said at least one processor, whereby the smart meter is operative to:
• collect meter data of the smart meter,
• receive at least one transmission parameter, the at least one transmission parameter allowing a reporting time for a measurement report comprising the collected meter data for the smart meter to be determined,
• determine a reporting time taking the received transmission parameter into account, and
• transmit the measurement report to the control entity at the determined reporting time.

A computer readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program by at least one processor of a smart meter causes the at least one processor to execute a method for operating the smart meter connected via a power line to a control entity, comprising:

• collecting meter data of the smart meter,
• receiving at least one transmission parameter, the at least one transmission parameter allowing a reporting time for a measurement report comprising the collected meter data for the smart meter to be determined,
• determining a reporting time taking the received transmission parameter into account,
• transmitting the measurement report to the control entity at the determined reporting time.