The new generation of power metering system -i.e. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) -is expected to enable remote reading, control, demand response and other advanced functions, based on the integration of a new two-way communication network, which will be referred as Smart Metering Network (SMN). In this paper, we focus on the design principles of multiple access control (MAC) protocols for SMN. First, we list several AMI applications and its benefits to the current power grid and user

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... erience. Next, we introduces several features of SMN relevant to the design choice of the MAC protocols, including the SMN architecture and candidate communication technologies. After that, we propose some performance evaluation metrics, such as scalability issue, traffic types, delay and etc, and give a survey of the associated research issues for the SMN MAC protocols design. In addition, we also note progress within the new IEEE standardization task group (IEEE 802.11ah TG) currently working to create SMN standards, especially in the MAC protocols aspect. Figure 2. AMI Power and Communication System Architectures. Remote Connect and Disconnect With the aid of SMN, a utility may remotely enable or disable the energy delivery to certain customers, so as to smooth consumption peaks or automatically react to some emergency events. The above is only a partial list of applications and benefits from AMI. In summary, with the help of the bi-directional communication network, AMIs can improve operational efficiency, reliability and security.