Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling transmission power in a network device is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting, at an initial transmission power, an initial data transmission intended for at least one receiving device on a network, receiving an initial response 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.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for determining the input impedance (ZL) of an AC transmission line used for Power Line Communications (PLC), using a transmitted data packet having a preamble portion. The method comprises, at the analog-front-end (AFE) of the AC transmission line, determining the current through the AFE and the AC transmission line during transmission of the preamble portion of the data packet and determining the voltage during transmission of the preamble portion of the data packet. The method further comprises calculating the total impedance (Zt) from the determined current and voltage. The total impedance (Zt) includes the input impedance (ZL) of the AC transmission line and the AFE impedance (ZAFE). Finally, the method includes determining the input impedance (ZL) of the AC transmission line from the total impedance (Zt).

Abstract: A device and method for controlling transmission power in a network device is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting, at an initial transmission power, an initial data transmission intended for at least one receiving device on a network, receiving an initial response 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to minimize the electricity consumption of battery powered devices during network communications and performance of other functions. Example techniques include efficiently discovering other mains powered and battery powered devices within communication range of the battery powered device. In another example, techniques enable a battery powered device to serve as a relay for one or more other battery powered devices. In another example, techniques ensure that transmissions to and/or from battery powered devices are delivered efficiently and with low latency. In yet another example, techniques determine whether and under what conditions a battery powered device should migrate from one network to another. In the event of migration, example techniques minimize battery consumption associated with the migration.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Meters are described. In one example, a meter includes a totalizer including an electronic circuit and a metering screen, a cap at least partially covering the totalizer, the cap including a window to facilitate viewing of data of the metering screen, and a screen cover mounted on the cap and movable between an open position and a closed position in order to cover the metering screen. In such an arrangement the electronic circuit includes a device for detection of the open position or the closed position of the screen cover, and the detection of the open position or the closed position controls scrolling of data of the metering screen.

Abstract: Techniques for frequency-hopping sequence-generation are described herein. In one example, a sequence of pseudo random numbers may be used to generate a scrambling sequence. The scrambling sequence may be used to map an unscrambled sequence of channels into a scrambled sequence of channels. Channel-repeats may be detected in the scrambled sequence of channels and resolved. Channel whitening may be performed to reduce channel overuse resulting from the channel-repeat resolutions. The scrambled sequence of channels may be provided to a radio to enable the radio to tune to the channels indicated by the scrambled sequence of channels.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealed communication interfaces are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a translucent portion of a sealing gasket to allow signals to pass therethrough, a sealing wall of the gasket to define a substantially environmentally-isolated zone proximate the translucent portion, and a transmitter to transmit a signal across the translucent portion. The example apparatus also includes a receiver to detect a reflected signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, where the detection enables data communications across the translucent portion, and where the reflected signal is to be reflected from a surface on an opposite side of the translucent portion from the transmitter and receiver.