Theoretical Considerations on Photo-Optical Measurement Data Registration Admissible as Evidence in Legal Metrology

Abstract:
The introduction of smart meters in legal metrology requires a smooth transition from the existing metering system into the digital world. Therefore, connecting legacy meters to the newly created digital backends is desirable to bridge the transitory phase of the rollout. To this end, the legal metrological framework of the European Union is analysed, and the resulting requirements are listed, which need to be fulfilled to allow for a legally valid digital registration of measurement values from legacy meters. Based on these requirements, threats on the process are derived and evaluated. In that frame-work, a prototypical implementation, utilizing photo-optical means, is presented, showcasing a system that potentially complies with all requirements. A risk analysis on the system illustrates the critical parts of the envisioned implementation and highlights what real-world implementations can improve upon.