Abstract: In this paper, an Application Platform (AP) and Token Generation Software for prepayment meter administration was developed. This is a response to the need to develop a vending software and platform that can recharge a generated token seamlessly into the meter apart from the traditional keying-in of token into meter through keypad. Also, it is motivated by the need to reduce the cost of token generation infrastructure by having a software for token generation achieved with local material. It is a platform that has wireless capability to recharge meter after vending as well as other meter administration by the Electricity Distribution Companies. The system is made up of two main modules; the server and the PC. The server’s hardware is made up of Atmega 328 microcontroller which is programmed in C++. It controls the intermediate communication of the outcome of the activities of the AP such as the generated token and the energy meter. The communication component between the Electricity Distribution Company is achieved by the uses of SIM900 which has a valid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that enables this communication in the existing Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network. The PC contains the developed Application Platform using Visual Studio 2010, and has the Graphical User Interface (GUI), the Token Generation Software and the Database which is developed in Microsoft Access 2013. The AP is comprised of the Token Generation, the Registration and the Records sub-platforms. The Software for the token generation is the Data Encryption Standard (DES) compiled in a LabView environment with extra level of complexity and security built on both the input and output of the DES. Three main input of the Application Platform are the Meter Number, the Cost and the Mobile phone Number. In generating token, the first two inputs are taken into the DES system at different levels of number system and the other inputs are sourced from the AP based on the information captured for the meter. The Server is interfaced with the PC on its USB port where it also sources its power. The results obtained show 100% of 20-digit token generation through the Application Platform and seamless recharge of vended token into the meter from the Platform.Abstract: In this paper, an Application Platform (AP) and Token Generation Software for prepayment meter administration was developed. This is a response to the need to develop a vending software and platform that can recharge a generated token seamlessly into the meter apart from the traditional keying-in of token into meter through keypad. Also, it is moti...Show More
