Cost effective pressure sensors for gas meters are described herein. In an example, responsive to an abnormal condition at an ultrasonic metrology unit of a gas meter, rates of pressure sensor operation are increased. In the example, the operations may include: measuring gas-environment pressure values; measuring contemporaneous air-environment pressure values; calculating pressure difference values of the gas-environment pressure values minus the contemporaneous air-environment pressure values; and comparing pressure difference values to one or more threshold values.
G01F 15/00 - MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW, OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
2.
METROLOGY MODULE ADAPTABLE FOR USE IN MULTIPLE GAS METERS
A gas meter control system is adapted for use in gas meters having a plurality of different sizes (e.g., ability to measure different flowrates and/or different gas volumes per billing cycle) and different functional capabilities. In an example, the gas meter control system is configured to recognize and identify a metrology unit, sensor(s), switch(es), valve(s), valve motor(s), and/or other device(s) within a gas meter. Having identified devices present within a gas-environment and an air- environment of the meter, the control system selects and executes appropriate software to operate the identified devices. Addition of an additional component to the meter (e.g., an earthquake sensor or a tamper sensor) results in identification of the added component and execution of appropriate control software. Accordingly, the gas meter control system replaces a number of control systems configured to operate a single specific meter and/or configuration.
G01F 15/063 - Indicating or recording devices for remote indication using electrical means
G01D 3/024 - Measuring arrangements with provision for the special purposes referred to in the subgroups of this group with provision for altering or correcting the transfer function for range change; Arrangements for substituting one sensing member by another
3.
BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE) ADVERTISING PACKET SECURITY
Secure pairing of computing devices, such as a field tool and a battery- powered device (BPD), may include generating by the BPD a challenge message including a randomly- generated challenge, and receiving at the field tool a challenge message from the BPD via a Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) advertisement message. The challenge message can include a randomly-generated challenge and can be issued in a scannable undirected advertising message. The challenge key can be calculated via a secure hash algorithm (SHA) to obtain a response solution. The response solution can be sent by the field tool to the advertising device in response to the challenge message. The response solution can be verified by the BPD using a cryptographic message authentication code such as an HMAC, and the BPD sends a confirmation message to the field tool indicating that the response solution is verified as correct.
Techniques to provide a unified system for fluid pressure and fluid flowrate measurement are described. Upstream and downstream transducers include piezo devices, and are in contact with a fluid flow, such as in a pipe within a metering device. In an example, a first signal is sent from the upstream transducer to a downstream transducer, and time-of-flight of the first signal is measured. A second signal is sent from the downstream transducer to the upstream transducer, and a time-of- flight of the second signal is measured. A flowrate of the fluid flowing within the passage is calculated, based on the times of flight of the first and second signals. An electrical signal is sent to the first transducer. Upon conclusion of the electrical signal, a pressure of the fluid flowing within the passage is calculated, based at least in part on time of decay of a second electrical signal generated by vibration of the first transducer.
G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
G01F 1/667 - Arrangements of transducers for ultrasonic flowmeters; Circuits for operating ultrasonic flowmeters
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elements; Transmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01L 9/08 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elements; Transmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means by making use of piezoelectric devices
G01L 9/12 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elements; Transmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means by making use of variations in capacitance
5.
DISCOVERY OF FORWARDERS TO MITIGATE ASYMMETRIC LINKS IN A MULTICAST GROUP
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for establishing communications within a multicast group of nodes included in a mesh network. The technique includes detecting that a first message related to the member node joining the multicast group has not been received from a multicast group leader included in the multicast group. The technique also includes in response, generating a first broadcast message for the member node that includes a multicast join request. The technique further includes forwarding the first broadcast message to one or more nodes included in the mesh network that are direct neighbors of the member node, wherein at least one node included in the one or more nodes further forwards the first broadcast message based on a first maximum hop limit.
Techniques are disclosed for promoting more desirable fluid flow within a section of pipe between upstream and downstream transducers in a fluid meter (e.g., a water or gas meter). To create better fluid flow characteristics, an insert may be installed within the section of pipe. The insert may be configured with an upper portion and a lower portion that are connected in the manufacturing process. The insert may include mirror supports configured to result in low pressure drop and stable flow conditions. The mirror supports (upstream and downstream) reflect the ultrasonic signals sent between the upstream and downstream piezo transducers. A fluid stabilizer may be connected to one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the insert. The fluid stabilizer may include a conical central portion and four blades to smooth fluid flow between the transducers and associated mirrors.
G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
Techniques are directed to determining, based at least in part on link quality metric data associated with communication over a link between the first node and a second node, to send an information message to the second node preceded by sending a corresponding polling message to the second node or to send the information message to the second node not preceded by sending the corresponding polling message to the second node. Based at least in part on the determining, a node may send the information message to the second node preceded by sending the corresponding polling message to the second node or sending the information message to the second node not preceded by sending the corresponding polling message to the second node. Overhead associated with polling messages may be reduced.
A first node operates in a network. The first node sends a polling message to a second node over a link at a first data rate, receiving an acknowledgement message from the second node. Based at least in part on receiving the acknowledgement message, the first node determines the second node is available to receive an information message. Based at least in part on the determining the second node is available to receive the information message, the first node sends the information message to the second node over the link at a second data rate. The second data rate is based at least on an indication of observed behavior of the link and the first data rate is based at least on the second data rate. For example, the first node may determine the first data rate to be a next slowest available data rate than the second data rate.
Techniques are directed to determining a rank value associated with a first network node. An example method includes determining a second network node indicated as being a preferred parent network node for the first network node. A first rank value is processed to determine a second rank value, the first rank value corresponding to a path from the second network node to a destination network node, including rounding up the first rank value in a predetermined manner to at least a second next higher integral rank value than the first rank value, to determine the second rank value. The second rank value is processed with at least a third rank value to determine the rank value associated with the first network node, the third rank value associated with a path from one of a plurality of candidate parent network nodes, for the first network node, to the destination network node.
A gas meter having a sensor module and at least one bypass module is described herein. In an example of the gas meter, an enclosure defines an interior cavity within which a manifold may be configured to include a sensor module connector, at least one bypass module connector, and an exhaust port. A sensor module may be connected to the sensor module connector of the manifold and may measure a flowrate through the sensor module and into the manifold. A bypass module may be connected to the bypass module connector of the manifold to bypass gas around the sensor module. A processor may be used to compute a gas flowrate through the meter using inputs including the measured flowrate and data based on the measured flowrate to adjust for gas that bypassed the sensor module.
Techniques are directed to opportunistically communicating using a modulation scheme that is other than the preferred modulation scheme, to update communication metric data for the second modulation scheme, such as a modulation scheme that has not been used as much as the first modulation scheme. The second modulation scheme may be associated with a higher data rate than the preferred modulation scheme. If communication using the second modulation scheme is successful, subsequent communication may be carried out exclusively using the second modulation scheme, and the communication metrics may develop such that the second modulation scheme becomes the preferred modulation scheme.
Techniques are directed to using communication metric data associated with multiple modulation schemes to achieve a link quality metric that is representative of the link as a whole, across the multiple modulation schemes that may be employed on the link. A calculation of a link quality metric may be triggered by a network layer transmission attempt, with communication metrics accumulated at the link layer of the link. A filter used to calculate the link quality metric may be updated based on network layer transmission attempts, based on successful and/or unsuccessful transmissions at a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the link. More generally, a calculation of link quality may be triggered by a higher layer transmission attempt while being calculated based on transmission attempts at a lower layer of the link.
Techniques for controlling packet transmission levels in a multi-hop network may be performed in a distributed manner. Load-control functionality may be distributed among a plurality of nodes within a network, allowing such nodes to send feedback to upstream nodes, and receive feedback from downstream nodes. In an example, received packets are measured, such as by summing sizes of received packets over time, to determine a received traffic-level. Transmitted packets are measured, such as by summing sizes of transmitted packets over time, to determine a transmitted traffic-level. Feedback may be sent to at least one source of the received packets based at least in part on the received traffic-level and the transmitted traffic-level. The feedback may indicate a desired rate for the sender to transmit. A node may receive data from upstream node(s) and from an internal device, such as a metrology unit. Both data sources may be controlled by feedback.
Methods and devices for providing routing path and transit delay time data to a device running traceroute on an IP network comprising routing tunnels are described herein. In examples, a tunnel entrance device may copy a hop limit value associated with a traceroute probe into a hop limit field of a tunneled IP header. In other examples, the tunnel entrance device may perform address spoofing to generate an error message with a source address corresponding to an intermediate device disposed within a routing tunnel. In this way, a device executing traceroute may be able to receive network addresses corresponding to intermediate devices in a routing tunnel in order to perform network diagnostics, construct routing tables, determine more efficient routing paths, and so on.
A device and method for receiving communications with dynamic data correction, the method including receiving at a receiving device a data packet from a sending device, the data packet including a header, and a data payload including one or more message blocks and corresponding redundancy blocks; recognizing, via pre-configuration of the receiving device, that there are redundancy blocks to receive along with the one or more message blocks and reading in the message blocks and corresponding redundancy blocks; determining that at least one of the message blocks is defective (e.g., corrupt, missing, etc.); processing one or more of the redundancy blocks to correct the defective message blocks; and optionally sending a response message to the sending device. The method may further include identifying which message blocks are defective and sending a request for, and receiving, redundancy blocks corresponding to the identified defective message blocks.
A device and method for controlling transmission power in a network device (212, 312) is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting, at an initial transmission power, an initial data transmission (228, 346) intended for at least one receiving device (214, 314) on a network, receiving an initial response (242, 348) from the at least one receiving device, the initial response including an initial received signal strength indication (RSSI), determining a power loss based on the value of the initial transmission power and the received RSSI, determining a new transmission power based on the determined power loss, and transmitting, at the new transmission power, one or more additional data transmissions intended for the at least one receiving device. The method further comprises determining whether link quality is deteriorating, and applying additional measures for optimizing transmission power based on the link quality and other factors. A solution for mitigating a loop condition is also disclosed.
H04W 52/36 - Transmission power control [TPC] using constraints in the total amount of available transmission power with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets
A sensor (230, 240) for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a flow tube (210), the sensor (230, 240) comprising sensing means (232, 242) and a sensor body (231, 241), wherein a portion of the sensing means (232, 242) is located within the sensor body (231, 241) and a first portion of the sensor body (231, 241) is arranged to fasten the sensor body (231, 241) to the flow tube (210) such that the sensor (230, 240) is positioned for sensing the flow rate of the fluid in the flow tube (210).
Techniques directed to attributing information regarding communications with a modulation scheme to a different modulation scheme are described. In one example, a successful communication for a higher data rate modulation scheme may be attributed to a lower data rate modulation scheme. Such attribution may infer that the lower data rate modulation scheme would have also been successful if it had been used. In another example, an unsuccessful communication for a lower data rate modulation may be attributed to a higher data rate modulation scheme. Here, such attribution may infer that the higher data rate modulation scheme would have also been unsuccessful if it had been used.
Techniques for providing additional timing information in periodic beacons in a network to enable battery powered devices to determine more appropriate listening windows for receiving the periodic beacons are described herein. In some examples, the battery powered devices use the additional information to determine more accurate listening windows based on a drift time of their internal clocks, and a jitter time of the network and/or a Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Additionally, techniques for modifying when mains powered devices update their internal clocks based on transmission of beacons to downstream devices are described herein. For instance, the mains powered devices may refrain from updating their internal clocks to an updated network reference time until transmission of downstream beacons have occurred. In this way, timing synchronization of devices in a network may be improved, and battery life of battery powered devices in the network may be extended.
Techniques directed to servicing communications based on when communication sessions are initialized for nodes are described. For example, a routing device may prioritize packets in a buffer according to when nodes have initiated communication sessions with a service provider or another node. The routing device may give priority to nodes that have first initiated communication sessions. This may avoid communication sessions ending prematurely due to time-out periods and/or avoid delays in completing communication sessions.
Techniques for employing a Mains Powered Device as a proxy for communicating on behalf of a Battery Powered Device are described herein. In some examples, the Mains Powered Device may be a parent node to the Battery Powered Device in a network which operates using a Routing Protocol for Low -Power and Lossy Networks (RPL). The Mains Powered Device may detect and/or forward a Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) transmitted from the Battery Powered Device to a DODAG root of the network, and begin to perform subsequent transmission of DAOs on behalf of the Battery Powered Device. In this way, the Mains Powered Device updates a routing table of the DODAG root periodically to include an indication of the Battery Powered Device as existing in the network, while extending the battery life of the Battery Powered Device by transmitting DAOs on behalf of the Battery Powered Device.
Techniques detect an electrical phase used by electrical network devices (e.g., a transformer, electrical meter, etc.). Voltage measurement data is obtained, such as from electrical meters. The voltage measurement data may be associated with a timestamp, and may be made at intervals over a period of time. Voltage changes may be calculated using the voltage measurement data. In an example, the voltage change is a difference determined between sequential voltage measurements. In some instances, voltage changes data is removed if it exceeds a threshold. An initial classification of network devices (e.g., randomly or by assumed electrical phase) is determined. A clustering technique (e.g., k-means) is applied, wherein the classification is updated in a manner that segregates the network devices according to actual electrical phase.
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
G01R 19/25 - Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof using digital measurement techniques
H02J 3/26 - Arrangements for eliminating or reducing asymmetry in polyphase networks
23.
A METER AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF A METER HAVING BEEN TAMPERED WITH
A method for detection of a utility meter having been tampered with, in particular a water or heat meter having been tampered with, and a meter for detecting such tampering are provided. The utility meter comprises a flow measurement portion in which the flow of water is measured. The method comprises detecting a presence of air in the flow measurement portion and evaluating a fraud condition, wherein the fraud condition comprises that air is present in the flow measurement portion for a first period of time or more. In response to the fraud condition being evaluated as met, an alert is generated.
G01F 15/00 - MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW, OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
Determination of electrical network topology and connectivity are described herein. A zero-crossing is indicated at a time when the line voltage of a conducting wire in an electrical grid is zero. Such zero-crossings may be used to measure time within a smart grid, and to determine the connectivity of, and the electrical phase used by, particular network elements. A first meter may receive a phase angle determination (PAD) message, including zero-crossing information, sent from a second meter, hereafter called a reference meter. The first meter may compare the received zero-crossing information to its own zero-crossing information. A phase difference may be determined between the first meter and the reference meter from which the PAD message originated. The first meter may pass the PAD message to additional meters, which propagate the message through the network. Accordingly, an electrical phase used by meters within the network may be determined.
In a network environment, a node may measure and/or recognize network activity or congestion and send feedback to downstream nodes (i.e., higher rank nodes) in response. During periods of lower network activity, lower congestion and/or lower network load, the feedback may direct an upstream flow of packets to be transmitted at a quality of service (QoS) level that allows consumption of more bandwidth than is indicated by a QoS level associated with a service level agreement (SLA) of the upstream flow of packets. During periods of higher network activity, congestion and/or network load, the feedback may limit the upstream flow of packets to the QoS level associated with the SLA of the upstream flow of packets. Accordingly, an upstream node (e.g., a root node) may use feedback to regulate bandwidth used by one or more downstream nodes and/or flows of packets, in part using network activity, congestion and/or bandwidth availability.
A node having a multiple protocol receiver may listen to multiple links in parallel and determine a quality of links having multiple communication technologies between the node and multiple neighbor nodes. The multiple communication technologies may include radio frequency (RF) communication technologies and one or more power line communication (PLC) communication technologies. The node determines a link quality metric for each link associated with an optimum communication technology and data rate, and maintains availability information of neighbor nodes. The node may then route communications to neighbor nodes using the link quality metric and the availability information.
In a wireless and/or power line communication (PLC) network environment, techniques for multicast of data and management of multicast groups assist in regulating bandwidth consumption and provision of desired multicast data. Nodes indicate interest in multicast groups by transmission of reports upstream. Report transmission may be suppressed to balance bandwidth with need for multicast data. Multicast data packets may be retransmitted downstream to fulfill requests indicated by the reports at a rate and/or frequency based on multicast packet duplication or redundancy. Information, such as broken links or "leave" packets, may indicate that one or more downstream nodes should be removed from a forwarding state. However such removal may impact other nodes. A query may be transmitted downstream, to determine if retransmission/forwarding of multicast retransmissions should continue. Query transmission may be based on a balance between query bandwidth consumption and the needs of downstream nodes.
One or more computer-readable media storing computer- executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform acts. The computer-readable media involves receiving information at a node including a leave packet or evidence of a broken link associated with a node downstream of the node. The computer- readable media also involves sending a query to other nodes downstream of the node. The query sent in response to the received information and asking for a report of desired groups associated with multicast data. The computer-readable media further involves transmitting subsequent queries according to a rate based on a density of multicast receivers and multicast forwarders that are downstream from the node. The computer-readable media also involves expiring the multicast forwarding state in the node if a period of time following the query, or the subsequent queries, exceeds a threshold without receipt of a report, the expiring of the forwarding state indicating that there is no need to forward multicast data for a multicast group.
A new device is deployed to an area in which a network is provided. The new device may join the network using a single handshake via a neighboring device that is a member of the network and register with a network management system managing the network. If the network is overloaded or has limited bandwidth remaining, the network may refuse to admit the new device, or if the new device is isolated, may force some devices that are members of the network to leave or migrate from the network to allow the isolated device to join the network.
A method involves under the control of a device, receiving, at the device, a message to request or force the device to leave a current network to which the device is currently connected. In response to receiving the request, the method also involves determining whether one or more other networks exist that the device is capable of joining. If one or more other networks exist that the device is capable of joining, the method also involves selecting a network from the one or more other networks and sending a request to join the selected network. If no other network exists, the method also involves sending a response to the current network to refuse leaving the current network.
Given a node of a utility service distribution network, a topology of a subset of the distribution network having the given node as a root node and one or more child nodes branching from the given node is determined. The topology may be determined based on relationships or correlations of utility usage information between the given node and a plurality of potential nodes that are considered in the topology determination. Upon determining the topology associated with the given node, the determined topology may be used to detect fraud and leakage that may occur in the distribution network on a regular basis or upon request. If fraud or leakage is detected in the distribution network, the system may schedule a follow-up and/or field investigation to investigate and fix the fraud or the leakage in the distribution network.
Techniques for converting communication packets in a network having multiple nodes are described herein. A node may receive communication packets from one or more neighboring nodes. Each communication packet may include control data and payload data. The node may extract the payload data and store the payload data for a time period. The node may determine whether to concatenate the extracted payload data of the communication packets (e.g., based on destinations to where each of the extracted payload data are to be sent, a supported data rate, an application type associated with the extracted payload data, etc.). The node may concatenate the extracted payload data of the communication packets and send the concatenated payload data to another node in a communication packet.
In a wireless network environment, techniques for traffic load management and transmission retry management assist a node to regulate network bandwidth consumed by one or more applications operating on the node, and assist the node to retransmit failed packets. Each of several software applications operating on the node may be prioritized. The prioritized applications will each receive a contention window appropriate to the priority of the application, which enforces an amount of bandwidth available to the application. In the event that a packet sent by the node fails to be acknowledged by a recipient, a retry algorithm may be utilized. The retry algorithm may use input including link quality and traffic density to adjust or maintain the contention window and/or retry count.
Techniques for broadcasting data in a multi-channel network having a control channel and multiple data channels are described. A node wishing to broadcast data may determine a particular data channel from among the multiple data channels, a modulation technique, and a data rate to be utilized to broadcast the data. The broadcasting node may transmit a message over the control channel indicating that the data will be broadcast on the particular data channel using the modulation technique and at the determined data rate. The broadcasting node and a node wishing to receive the data may switch to the particular data channel. The broadcasting node may broadcast the data over the particular data channel, while the receiving node may receive the data. After broadcasting the data or a predetermined time period has expired, the broadcasting node and receiving node may switch to the control channel.
A network computing device which comprises one or more processors and memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The network also comprises one or more modules stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to performs acts which includes transmitting or receiving a message via a control channel indicating that data will be broadcast via a particular data channel of a plurality of data channels according to a modulation technique. The message includes fewer bits and/or bytes than the data. The processor also acts to switch to the particular data channel based at least in part on the message, and broadcast or listen for a broadcast of the data via the particular data channel based at least in part on the modulation technique. The processor also acts to switch to the control channel after the data has been broadcast or a predetermined time period has expired.
A node may assist in the management of upstream network traffic in part by managing a contention window used by the node. The node may maintain a list of size(s) of contention window(s) of parent node(s) of the node. The node may set its own contention window to be longer (i.e., a longer period of time) than that of upstream neighbor nodes. With a longer contention window than that of its parent node(s), the node will refrain from using an RF channel needed by a parent node. Accordingly, upstream nodes are better able to transmit any backlog of data before receiving additional data from downstream nodes. This may better distribute data over the network, and may better manage data flow.
A node may determine a link quality between the node and multiple neighbor nodes. For each of the multiple neighbor nodes, the node compares the determined link quality between the node and each respective neighbor node to a predetermined threshold quality. If the link quality meets the predetermined threshold quality, the node may qualify the link and add the link to a list of qualified links that meet the threshold link quality. The node may then route communications to neighbor nodes with which the node has a qualified link.
Techniques for communicating via a control channel, determining a particular data channel based on the communicating, and transferring data via the particular data channel are described. One or more messages are communicated via the control channel between first and second nodes. The one or more messages may indicate a particular data channel from multiple data channels that may be utilized to transfer data between the first and second nodes. The one or more messages may also indicate a modulation technique and/or data rate that may be implemented on the particular data channel. The one or more messages may be utilized to determine the particular data channel that will be utilized to transfer the data. The first and second nodes may switch to the particular data channel based on the determination and transfer the data via the particular data channel. In some instances, the data is transferred based on the modulation technique and/or data rate indicated in the one or more messages.
A node receives information that is to be transmitted to a destination. Upon receipt of the information, the node may query a busy device list to determine an availability of one or more neighbor nodes. The node may then identify a neighbor node that, according to the busy device list, is available to receive transmissions and is capable of propagating the information to the destination. The node may then transmit the information to the identified neighbor node.
H04W 40/10 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing based on wireless node resources based on available power or energy
H04W 40/24 - Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
40.
MULTI-CHANNEL, MULTI-MODULATION, MULTI-RATE COMMUNICATION WITH A RADIO TRANSCEIVER
A method involving communicating, between first and second nodes of a network, one or more messages via a control channel, the one or more messages indicating a maximum data rate that is supported by at least one of the nodes, at least one of the nodes being associated with a utility meter. The method also involves determining a particular data channel from multiple data channels. The control channel and the multiple data channels are channels of the network. The method also involves determining a maximum common data rate that is supported by the first and second nodes based at least in part on the one or more messages. The method further involves switching to the particular data channel based at least in part on the determining the particular data channel and sending or receiving data via the particular data channel at the maximum common data rate. The method also involves switching to the control channel upon completion of sending or receiving the data via the particular data channel.
Techniques for quick advertisement of a failure of a cellular router in a network are described herein. In one example, problems with the cellular router in the network are recognized, such as by the cellular router itself, or by a node in communication with the cellular router. In response, one or more cellular router failure notification packets are sent by the cellular router prior to failure and/or one or more nodes within a cell served by the failing cellular router. The cellular router failure notification packets indicate that the cellular router is failing, thereby starting a discovery process in each node, wherein an attempt is made to discover a new cellular router.
Techniques for synchronization of clocks in nodes in a network are described. In one example, a node times or measures a synchronization timeout period. During the synchronization timeout period, the node may hear a beacon. In that event, the node may reset its clock using a time indicator found within the beacon. If the node does not hear a beacon before the end of the synchronization timeout period, the node may send a beacon request to one of its parents. In response, the parent node will broadcast a beacon, which may be heard by other nodes in the vicinity of the parent node. Upon receipt of the beacon and an included time indicator, the node will update its clock. Upon clock update, another synchronization timeout period is then started and the cycle is repeated, thereby maintaining synchronization of the clock with clocks of other nodes.
Implementation and operation of a multiple protocol receiver are described herein. In one example, a multiple protocol receiver in a node may alternate between first and second states. In a first state, the multiple protocol receiver listens simultaneously for a plurality of differently modulated signals. Such listening may be performed in a parallel manner, wherein a plurality of preamble detection processes each listens for a specific preamble. The listening may result in detection of a preamble of a packet, which triggers transition to the second state. The detected preamble may indicate a protocol used in transmission of the packet. The received packet may then be demodulated according to, for example, a data rate, synchronization, redundancy and/or other factors indicated by the protocol. The received packet may be utilized by the node or retransmitted. The multiple protocol receiver may return to the first state to repeat and continue the procedure.
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to methodologies, apparatuses, and systems for providing cell router (relay) failure detection in a mesh network. Individual cell relays heading up cells within a mesh network transmit synchronization signals including as a portion thereof a counter value. Nodes with the cells monitor the counter value and search for a new connection to a central facility if the counter value fails to update within a predetermined value.
An electrical switching device and method are disclosed. The electrical switching device can include two movable contacts. During opening of the switching device, the two movable contacts move in a first direction until one of the movable contacts engages a blocking member. The other movable contact continues in the first direction, effecting opening of the switching device. In a particular implementation, the movable contact that engages the blocking member "bounces" in a second direction after contacting the blocking member. This causes the contacts of the switching device to be separated very quickly, reducing electrical arcing during opening of the switching device.
H01H 3/60 - Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock
H01H 5/00 - Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
H01H 5/18 - Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to methods and apparatus for providing a multi-protocol receiver for use in a radio frequency (RF) network. The receiver is designed to listen for multiple different packet preambles in parallel and, upon detection of a particular preamble, shift to demodulating the data portion of the packet using the single modulation technique associated with the particular preamble. Transmission of packets may be performed using a single radio frequency for all network devices or by frequency hopping techniques but using the same hopping pattern for all network devices. The receiver may be used with general communications networks or more specific applications, such as Smart Grid and AMI networks, and meshed networks of metrology devices.
The present subject matter is directed to methods and apparatus for measuring current flow from a source at a first frequency using matched voltage drops in paired voltage drop circuits. The paired voltage drop circuits each comprise a fixed value component, such as a resistor, and an adjustable value component, such as an adjustable current source, coupled in series. The adjustable valued components are controlled based on differences in voltage drops produced by the voltage drop circuits based on a high-frequency signal, higher in frequency than the first frequency, applied to a control input for the adjustable value components.
Methodologies are provided for establishing peer-to-peer communications between nodes in a tree structured network having plural nodes including a root node. A source node seeking to send a message to a destination node will first request a most advantageous available path from the source to the destination node, and then the root node (or possibly another node within the network that has additional storage resources) will provide a routing path to one or both of the source and destination nodes. Messages may then be sent between the source and destination nodes that may or may not include addressing information in the packet headers without having to request routing information again for additional messages between the same nodes.
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C 12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number-of- sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
H04W 24/02 - Arrangements for optimising operational condition
H04W 40/22 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
H04W 48/16 - Discovering; Processing access restriction or access information
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number -of-sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
H04B 1/713 - Spread spectrum techniques using frequency hopping
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
51.
METHOD FOR COMPENSATING FOR NODE CLOCK DRIFT IN A METERING SYSTEM MESH NETWORK
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C 12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number-of- sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number-of-sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number-of-sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number -of-sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to real time clock distribution and recovery, uplink routing without requiring a routing table, and the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. Features relating to cell or node utilization or management in a mesh network include cell size management, Number-of-sons' management, crystal drift compensation in a mesh network, broadcast acknowledgement features, and Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network Other features relate to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers, Downlink routing mechanisms, Outage notification system features, the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network, and operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.
patents
