Turbine flow meter, assembly, and method for measuring at least one flow characteristic

An autonomous, low-power turbine flow meter has a turbine for generating electric energy from fluid flowing through an interior channel thereof, and for producing a flow characteristic related signal related to the fluid flowing through the channel. The flow meter also includes a signal processing circuit powered by the turbine for processing the signal. The electric load of the circuit can be used to determine the production and/or processing of the signal. The flow meter can be used in conjunction with a signal receiving device configured to receive wirelessly signals produced and transmitted by the flow meter. In use, the flow rate is calculated by the circuit by detecting the rate of revolution (rpm) of a rotor of the flow meter caused by the fluid flowing through the flow meter and impinging on the rotor, and a flow rate related signal is produced based upon the detected rpm of the rotor.