Abstract: A wireless communication system and method includes a first wireless node and a data concentrator configured to provide a new encryption key updated from a current encryption key to the first wireless node. The data concentrator includes first and second transceivers. The data concentrator provides a key update message that includes the new encryption key to the first wireless node via the first transceiver. The key update message is encrypted using the current encryption key. The data concentrator is configured to decrypt first transmissions from the first wireless node via the second transceiver using the new encryption key, and decrypt the first transmissions via the first transceiver using the current encryption key.

Abstract: A wireless communication system and method includes a first wireless node and a data concentrator configured to provide a new encryption key updated from a current encryption key to the first wireless node. The data concentrator includes first and second transceivers. The data concentrator provides a key update message that includes the new encryption key to the first wireless node via the first transceiver. The key update message is encrypted using the current encryption key. The data concentrator is configured to decrypt first transmissions from the first wireless node via the second transceiver using the new encryption key, and decrypt the first transmissions via the first transceiver using the current encryption key.

Abstract: A method for finding missing wireless nodes includes creating a repeating schedule of communication between a data concentrator and one or more nodes such that the data concentrator attempts to communicate with each of the one or more nodes at a discrete time slot for each node. The schedule of communication further includes at least one dead time slot such that the data concentrator does not attempt to communicate with any of the one or more nodes. The method also includes determining if each node has communicated with the data concentrator during a predetermined amount of discrete time slots, identifying each node that does not communicate with the data concentrator during the predetermined amount of discrete time slot as a missing node, and attempting to communicate with each missing node during the at least one dead time slot.

Abstract: A method for finding missing wireless nodes includes creating a repeating schedule of communication between a data concentrator and one or more nodes such that the data concentrator attempts to communicate with each of the one or more nodes at a discrete time slot for each node. The schedule of communication further includes at least one dead time slot such that the data concentrator does not attempt to communicate with any of the one or more nodes. The method also includes determining if each node has communicated with the data concentrator during a predetermined amount of discrete time slots, identifying each node that does not communicate with the data concentrator during the predetermined amount of discrete time slot as a missing node, and attempting to communicate with each missing node during the at least one dead time slot.

Abstract: A data transmission system and method includes a network coordinator and a node. The node is configured to execute a schedule that may be a default schedule or may be a schedule received from the network coordinator. The schedule includes a wake period and a sleep period. The node is configured to passively listen for commands from the network coordinator during the wake period, and to not listen for the commands from the network coordinator during the sleep period.

Abstract: A wireless system includes a base station and at least one node. The at least one node is configured to communicate wirelessly with the base station. The at least one node is configured to transmit a first data block comprising a plurality of data packets. The base station is configured to provide an acknowledgement to the at least one node upon receipt of the first data block. The acknowledgement is indicative of a delivery status for each of the plurality of data packets.

Abstract: A system to locate and map a data collection device includes at least one image. The image may be included with a subsystem or a component monitored by the system. A data collection device, such as a smart sensor, is configured to detect a stimulus and to capture the at least one image. The smart sensor is further configured to output an image signal indicating the at least one image. A main control module is in electrical communication with the at least one smart sensor. The main control module is configured to determine the image based on the image signal, and compare the at least one image to a stored image. The main control module is further configured to authenticate the at least one image in response to the at least one image matching the stored image.

Abstract: A sensor network includes a plurality of sensors and a base station for sending a series of data acquisition requests to the sensors. Each data acquisition request has an index. Each sensor has a synchronization calculation module and an internal clock. The sensors are adapted and configured to receive the series of data acquisition requests and record a timestamp of receipt for each data acquisition request. The sensors also store a predefined time interval related to the plurality of data acquisition requests so that the sensor can calculate a time to start collecting data based upon the series of data acquisition requests, the timestamps, the indices, and the predefined time interval. In an alternative embodiment, the base station only sends a general request for data acquisition and a synchronization sensor module receives the general request and, in turn, sends the series of data acquisition requests to the sensors.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a physical location of a node in a network comprising a multi-axis accelerometer installed in proximity to the node and in a deterministic spacial orientation, and/or a controller configured to receive an acceleration vector associated with the multi-axis accelerometer and to evaluate the orientation of the node based on the received acceleration vector in comparison to a reference acceleration vector known to the controller and a look-up table in memory configured to contain the logical function and a node location identifier for each spatial orientation. The node may comprise a system component.

Abstract: A system to locate and map a data collection device includes at least one image. The image may be included with a subsystem or a component monitored by the system. A data collection device, such as a smart sensor, is configured to detect a stimulus and to capture the at least one image. The smart sensor is further configured to output an image signal indicating the at least one image. A main control module is in electrical communication with the at least one smart sensor. The main control module is configured to determine the image based on the image signal, and compare the at least one image to a stored image. The main control module is further configured to authenticate the at least one image in response to the at least one image matching the stored image.

Abstract: A sensor network includes a plurality of sensors and a base station for sending a series of data acquisition requests to the sensors. Each data acquisition request has an index. Each sensor has a synchronization calculation module and an internal clock. The sensors are adapted and configured to receive the series of data acquisition requests and record a timestamp of receipt for each data acquisition request. The sensors also store a predefined time interval related to the plurality of data acquisition requests so that the sensor can calculate a time to start collecting data based upon the series of data acquisition requests, the timestamps, the indices, and the predefined time interval. In an alternative embodiment, the base station only sends a general request for data acquisition and a synchronization sensor module receives the general request and, in turn, sends the series of data acquisition requests to the sensors.