SINGAPORE Technologies Electronics (ST Electronics) announced on Jan 22 that its unit, Telematics Wireless, has been awarded a contract worth US$72 million for the supply of a smart sensor network to Israeli wireless automatic meter manufacturer Arad Technologies.

Under the contract, Telematics Wireless will supply automatic meter reading (AMR) radio transceivers for Arad's AMR solutions over six years.

The AMR radio transceivers supplied through this contract will be deployed with Arad's AMR solutions in various global markets, and together with Arad's smart management software, will provide precise monitoring of all utility vital signs, and will alert utility providers to faults such as leakages.

Radio transceivers are a key part in smart meters, which are used to monitor water, electricity and gas usage.

ST Electronics says its AMR radio transceivers are able to operate up to 10 years on an internal battery, and are resistant to radio interference.

The transceivers incorporate all electronics, battery and antennae in the meter register without the need for connecting external wires, which the company says reduces installation and maintenance costs.

When fully deployed by Telematics Wireless at the end of 2021, the sensors will join the more than 15 million wireless sensors currently installed in cities globally, said ST Electronics.

Ravinder Singh, president of ST Electronics, said the company has embedded advanced technology into water resource management systems to help improve city planning, operational efficiencies and realise cost savings.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Arad Technologies to deliver smart city solutions that transform cities efficiently and power smart city planning," he added.