Abstract: Advanced Metering Infrastructure（AMI） refers to the systems for measuring,collecting,storing,analyzing,and using customer energy usage data.This paper introduces AMI architecture and key functional components.It provides overview of the situation of AMI implementation and the various problems it is facing with today.By analyzing the AMI technology developing trends and market needs,the paper proposes one complete AMI architecture or framework.Featuring with IPv6 based local area network communication,it overcomes those problems existing in the legacy AMI systems and enable multiple services to be supported.Its key components are described briefly and its significant values are analyzed.