

The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said wireless communication circuit communicates information selected from the group consisting of: time of use, and interval recordings of energy usage.Ģ4. The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said wireless communication circuit communicates information selected from the group consisting of: energy usage, power demand, and power factor.Ģ3. The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said wireless communication circuit communicates meter billing information.Ģ2. The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said wireless communication circuit has a carrier frequency of between 700 and 950 megahertz.Ģ1.

The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said antenna is a dipole antenna.Ģ0. The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said antenna is arcuate and has a flattened lateral cross section.ġ9. The meter as recited in claim 15 further comprising an electromagnetic shield located about at least a portion of said electric meter circuitry.ġ8. The meter as recited in claim 15 wherein said antenna generally conforms to a portion of an internal surface of said dielectric housing.ġ7.

An electric meter, comprising: an electric meter chassis having a dielectric housing protruding therefrom electric meter circuitry located in a circuit board rack within said chassis a wireless communication circuit couplable to said electric meter circuitry and an antenna element located within said dielectric housing proximate said circuit board rack and coupled to said wireless communication circuit.ġ6. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising generating a carrier frequency of between 700 and 950 megahertz in a wireless communication circuit.ġ5. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said antenna is a dipole antenna.ġ4. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising forming said antenna into a metal arc having a flattened lateral cross section.ġ3. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising: placing electric meter circuitry in said dielectric housing and placing an electromagnetic shield about at least a portion of said electric meter circuitry.ġ2. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising placing electric meter circuitry in said circuit board rack within said dielectric housing, said antenna located between circuit boards in said circuit board rack.ġ1. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising causing said antenna to generally conform to a portion of an internal surface of said dielectric housing.ġ0. For use with an electric meter chassis having a dielectric housing protruding therefrom, a method of manufacturing an antenna for allowing electric meter circuitry located in a circuit board rack within said chassis to communicate wirelessly through said dielectric housing, comprising the steps of: providing a wireless communication circuit couplable to said electric meter circuitry and locating an antenna element within said dielectric housing proximate to said circuit board rack, said antenna element coupled to said wireless communication circuit.ĩ. The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication circuit has a carrier frequency of between 700 and 950 megahertz.Ĩ. The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said antenna is a dipole antenna.ħ. The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said antenna element is arcuate and has a flattened lateral cross section.Ħ. The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said chassis comprises: electric meter circuitry located in said dielectric housing and an electromagnetic shield located about at least a portion of said electric meter circuitry.ĥ.

The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said chassis comprises electric meter circuitry located in said circuit board rack within said dielectric housing, said antenna located between circuit boards in said circuit board rack.Ĥ. The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said antenna generally conforms to a portion of an internal surface of said dielectric housing.ģ. For use with an electric meter chassis having a dielectric housing protruding therefrom, an antenna for allowing electric meter circuitry located in a circuit board rack within said chassis to communicate wirelessly through said dielectric housing, comprising: a wireless communication circuit couplable to said electric meter circuitry and an antenna element located within said dielectric housing proximate said circuit board rack, said antenna element coupled to said wireless communication circuit.Ģ.
