Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator.

Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for outage detection. In one embodiment, an outage detection system includes a signal sampler configured to sample a signal on a communications link and to determine a noise level and a signal level of the sample. An outage detection system also includes a comparator configured to compare a critical value with a sum of signal and noise of the sample. An outage detection system further includes a binomial probability analyzer configured to calculate a binomial probability of false outage of the sample and the previous N samples.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional communication within a power distribution system. The system is configured to find an endpoint, the endpoint having an endpoint transceiver in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The power distribution line is within the power distribution system, and the endpoint is identified by a unique identifier (I.D.). The system comprises a substation transceiver electrically coupled to a power distribution line within the power distribution system. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is programmed to map the unique I.D. endpoint to a base frequency within a bandwidth and to control the endpoint to transmit a find endpoint data packet onto the power distribution network. The find endpoint data packet includes the unique I.D. and the base frequency.

Abstract: An intelligent network demand control system provides a system and method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system. The intelligent network demand control system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to meters and appliances residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators instruct a customer premises (CP) energy management controller to implement a reduction in system demand. A demand reduction control signal is relayed out to a predefined group of transceivers to bring their respective controlled generators on line. The predefined transceivers, identified by their identification codes, are specified in the demand reduction control signal. When the transceivers bring the generators on line in response to a broadcasted demand reduction control signal, the actual demand reduction is metered and relayed back to the CP energy management controller. The total demand reduction is aggregated into a single number and then communicated to the operators.

Abstract: A system and method for providing full-duplex data communications between an electric power distribution station and a power consumer via the power distribution line providing electric power is provided. A first information transmitter, coupled to the power distribution circuit, provides first information signals concurrently with the power signal to the power consumer via the power distribution line. A first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, receives the first information signals via the electric power distribution line. A second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device provides second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal. A second information receiver, coupled to the power distribution circuit, receives the second information signals via the electric power distribution line.

Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network.

Abstract: A water meter transceiver coupled to a water meter has a head portion that houses a processor having a transceiver. The transceiver transmits water utility consumption data received from the water meter. A stem is coupled to the head portion and has a hollowed portion for containing a power source that is coupled to the processor. The stem may include threads to receive a nut that positions the head portion to a lid of a water meter container. The stem may include a switch that is coupled to the processor and configured to activate when the nut is coupled to the stem. If the nut is removed without authorization, the switch reports such, thereby causing the processor to execute a predetermined action, such as communicating an alert or disabling the water meter so as to prevent theft of the water utility.

Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing full-duplex data communications between an electric power distribution station and a power consumer via the power distribution line providing electric power is provided. A first information transmitter, coupled to the power distribution circuit, provides first information signals concurrently with the power signal to the power consumer via the power distribution line. A first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, receives the first information signals via the electric power distribution line. A second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device provides second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal. A second information receiver, coupled to the power distribution circuit, receives the second information signals via the electric power distribution line.

Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.

Abstract: An intelligent network demand control system provides a system and method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system. The intelligent network demand control system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to meters and appliances residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators instruct a customer premises (CP) energy management controller to implement a reduction in system demand. A demand reduction control signal is relayed out to a predefined group of transceivers to bring their respective controlled generators on line. The predefined transceivers, identified by their identification codes, are specified in the demand reduction control signal. When the transceivers bring the generators on line in response to a broadcasted demand reduction control signal, the actual demand reduction is metered and relayed back to the CP energy management controller. The total demand reduction is aggregated into a single number and then communicated to the operators.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.

Abstract: A system and method for providing full-duplex data communications between an electric power distribution station and a power consumer via the power distribution line providing electric power is provided. A first information transmitter, coupled to the power distribution circuit, provides first information signals concurrently with the power signal to the power consumer via the power distribution line. A first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, receives the first information signals via the electric power distribution line. A second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device provides second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal. A second information receiver, coupled to the power distribution circuit, receives the second information signals via the electric power distribution line.

Abstract: An intelligent network demand control system provides a system and method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system. The intelligent network demand control system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to meters and appliances residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators instruct a customer premises (CP) energy management controller to implement a reduction in system demand. A demand reduction control signal is relayed out to a predefined group of transceivers to bring their respective controlled generators on line. The predefined transceivers, identified by their identification codes, are specified in the demand reduction control signal. When the transceivers bring the generators on line in response to a broadcasted demand reduction control signal, the actual demand reduction is metered and relayed back to the CP energy management controller. The total demand reduction is aggregated into a single number and then communicated to the operators.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.

Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.