Abstract: Described herein is a device for autonomously monitoring a battery is provided. The device is integrated with the battery (e.g., by being electrically coupled to the battery). The device obtains measurement data by injecting electrical signals into the battery and measuring an electrical response of the battery. The device participates in an authentication protocol with a computing device to verify a unique identity of the device to the computing device. After performing the authentication protocol verifying the unique identity of the device, the device transmits battery data to the computer. Further, techniques for verifying the identity of the battery using measurement data obtained by the device are described herein. The techniques generate a battery signature using the measurement data that is then used to verify the identity of the battery. For example, the battery signature may be used to determine whether the battery is counterfeit or defective.

Abstract: Described herein is a device for autonomously monitoring a battery is provided. The device is integrated with the battery (e.g., by being electrically coupled to the battery). The device obtains measurement data by injecting electrical signals into the battery and measuring an electrical response of the battery. The device participates in an authentication protocol with a computing device to verify a unique identity of the device to the computing device. After performing the authentication protocol verifying the unique identity of the device, the device transmits battery data to the computer. Further, techniques for verifying the identity of the battery using measurement data obtained by the device are described herein. The techniques generate a battery signature using the measurement data that is then used to verify the identity of the battery. For example, the battery signature may be used to determine whether the battery is counterfeit or defective.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network system includes network nodes that operate in blink and canopy modes of operation. In operation, a network manager joins nodes operating in the canopy node to the network and allocates network bandwidth to the canopy nodes. The allocated bandwidth includes a first bandwidth allocated for transmitting and receiving data packets between canopy nodes that are joined to the network, and a second bandwidth allocation for receiving network joining messages from nodes that are not joined to the network. The second bandwidth allocation is also used for receiving data messages from nodes operating in the blink mode. Thus, in response to receiving a message that was transmitted from a blink node to a canopy node using the second bandwidth allocation, the network manager identifies the message as a data message and provides the data from the message to a host application.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple modes of communication in wireless networks includes a network manager and a plurality of network nodes. The plurality of network nodes form a wireless network with the network manager and are configured to communicate data to the network manager using respective communication links having a first bandwidth. The plurality of network nodes are further configured to transition to a two-hop mode of communication upon one or more failures in communication to the network manager. While in the two-hop mode of communication, a respective network node of the plurality of nodes is configured to transmit node data to at least one other network node over a communication link having a second bandwidth different than the first bandwidth. The other network nodes are configured to listen for communication from the respective network node and re-transmit to the network manager the node data received from the respective network node.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring components of a vehicle includes a manager and a wireless node. The manager is positioned on the vehicle and configured to wirelessly transmit a wake signal in response to an event. The wireless node positioned to monitor a component of the vehicle and includes an antenna, a wakeup circuit, and a node transceiver. The wakeup circuit is connected to the antenna and configured to monitor for the wake signal, and the node transceiver is configured to perform wireless communication with the manager. The wakeup circuit is configured to power on the node transceiver upon receipt of the wake signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple modes of communication in wireless networks includes a network manager and a plurality of network nodes. The plurality of network nodes form a wireless network with the network manager and are configured to communicate data to the network manager using respective communication links having a first bandwidth. The plurality of network nodes are further configured to transition to a two-hop mode of communication upon one or more failures in communication to the network manager. While in the two-hop mode of communication, a respective network node of the plurality of nodes is configured to transmit node data to at least one other network node over a communication link having a second bandwidth different than the first bandwidth. The other network nodes are configured to listen for communication from the respective network node and re-transmit to the network manager the node data received from the respective network node.

Abstract: A battery system monitor includes cell measurement circuits (CMCs) that each measure a voltage at or current through a pair of terminals of a respective associated battery module from among a plurality of plurality of battery modules in a battery system. Wireless communication transceivers (WCTs), each associated with a different CMC, transmit voltage or current measurement information of the associated CMC across a wireless communication link. A controller receives the voltage or current measurement information from the wireless communication transceivers for monitoring the state of operation of the battery system. Battery system monitoring is improved through synchronization of clocks in different CMCs or WCTs to enable synchronous sampling of multiple battery modules, through systems for determining relative positions of battery modules in a series coupling of battery modules between terminals of the battery system, and through improvements to the reliability of wireless communication.

Abstract: In a wireless mesh network having multiple network managers, the network managers maintain network security through the use of encryption keys and packet counters. To ensure that each network manager can authenticate communications with any node of the network, the authentication data is replicated in a disjoint manner in all network managers. Advantageously, network reliability is assured by providing redundant managers that can seamlessly maintain network operation even if multiple network managers fail; newly joining managers can obtain full authentication data for the network upon joining; and network throughput is increased by ensuring that any of the multiple managers can authenticate the communications of any network node. The disjoint replication of the authentication data across all network managers is performed with low data-rate manager-to-manager packets propagated through the network.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring components of a vehicle includes a manager and a wireless node. The manager is positioned on the vehicle and configured to wirelessly transmit a wake signal in response to an event. The wireless node positioned to monitor a component of the vehicle and includes an antenna, a wakeup circuit, and a node transceiver. The wakeup circuit is connected to the antenna and configured to monitor for the wake signal, and the node transceiver is configured to perform wireless communication with the manager. The wakeup circuit is configured to power on the node transceiver upon receipt of the wake signal.

Abstract: The stability of a channel in a wireless network is evaluated at a node. Upon transmitting a packet from the node on a network channel, a first counter associated with the channel is incremented. Upon receiving an acknowledgment packet responsive to the transmitted packet, a second counter associated with the channel is incremented. A stability metric for the channel is computed based on values stored in the first and second counters. Additionally, interference on a channel of the network is measured at a node. Upon determining that no packet is received during a predetermined time-period on the channel, a received signal strength (RSS) is measured on the channel at an end of the predetermined time-period. Alternatively, upon determining that a packet is received during the predetermined time-period on the channel, the RSS is measured on the channel following completion of the transmission of the packet on the channel.

Abstract: The stability of a channel in a wireless network is evaluated at a node. Upon transmitting a packet from the node on a network channel, a first counter associated with the channel is incremented. Upon receiving an acknowledgment packet responsive to the transmitted packet, a second counter associated with the channel is incremented. A stability metric for the channel is computed based on values stored in the first and second counters. Additionally, interference on a channel of the network is measured at a node. Upon determining that no packet is received during a predetermined time-period on the channel, a received signal strength (RSS) is measured on the channel at an end of the predetermined time-period. Alternatively, upon determining that a packet is received during the predetermined time-period on the channel, the RSS is measured on the channel following completion of the transmission of the packet on the channel.

Abstract: A network manager of a wireless mesh network is configured to selectively enable or disable communication services provided between devices over the network. The selective enabling or disabling of services may be based on the monitoring and enforcement of license terms set according to license information embedded within the wireless network node(s) or access point(s) of the network. In operation, the network manager retrieves the license information from the node(s) and/or access point(s) of the network, and establishes license terms based on the retrieved license information. In turn, the network manager selectively enables or disables network services, such as by throttling communications relayed between the user application and the nodes, or between nodes, if the license terms are not respected.

Abstract: A battery system monitor includes cell measurement circuits (CMCs) that each measure a voltage at or current through a pair of terminals of a respective associated battery module from among a plurality of plurality of battery modules in a battery system. Wireless communication transceivers (WCTs), each associated with a different CMC, transmit voltage or current measurement information of the associated CMC across a wireless communication link. A controller receives the voltage or current measurement information from the wireless communication transceivers for monitoring the state of operation of the battery system. Battery system monitoring is improved through synchronization of clocks in different CMCs or WCTs to enable synchronous sampling of multiple battery modules, through systems for determining relative positions of battery modules in a series coupling of battery modules between terminals of the battery system, and through improvements to the reliability of wireless communication.

Abstract: In a wireless mesh network having a known or predetermined physical topology, a network node or access point (AP) may promptly begin operation on the network in response to receiving a network advertisement. In particular, the node or AP can store a network communication schedule and adjust the network communication schedule based on parameter value(s) received in the network advertisement received from the network manager. As a result, the node or AP can begin operating in accordance with a network's communication schedule promptly after receiving the network advertisement by transmitting packets using pairs of communication channels and timeslots assigned thereto in the adjusted communication schedule. The network communication schedule stored by the node or AP can take the form of an algorithm that takes the parameter value(s) received in the network advertisement as input(s) and, when executed by the node or AP, outputs the appropriate adjusted network communication schedule.

Abstract: In a wireless mesh network having multiple network managers, the network managers maintain network security through the use of encryption keys and packet counters. To ensure that each network manager can authenticate communications with any node of the network, the authentication data is replicated in a disjoint manner in all network managers. Advantageously, network reliability is assured by providing redundant managers that can seamlessly maintain network operation even if multiple network managers fail; newly joining managers can obtain full authentication data for the network upon joining; and network throughput is increased by ensuring that any of the multiple managers can authenticate the communications of any network node. The disjoint replication of the authentication data across all network managers is performed with low data-rate manager-to-manager packets propagated through the network.

Abstract: A network manager of a wireless mesh network is configured to selectively enable or disable communication services provided between devices over the network. The selective enabling or disabling of services may be based on the monitoring and enforcement of license terms set according to license information embedded within the wireless network node(s) or access point(s) of the network. In operation, the network manager retrieves the license information from the node(s) and/or access point(s) of the network, and establishes license terms based on the retrieved license information. In turn, the network manager selectively enables or disables network services, such as by throttling communications relayed between the user application and the nodes, or between nodes, if the license terms are not respected.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network is provided with equipment and methods for monitoring and enforcement of license terms. The network includes a plurality of wireless network nodes, a wireless access point, and a network manager in communication with the access point and with the network nodes via the access point. At least one of the network nodes and the access point includes license information embedded in the device hardware, and the network manager provides services to the wireless network subject to license terms determined based on the license information embedded within the network node or access point. Additionally, the network manager is in communication with a user application external to the network, and relays communication between the user application and the wireless network. The network manager modulates communications relayed between the user application and the wireless network subject to the license information embedded within the network node or access point.

Abstract: The stability of a channel in a wireless network is evaluated at a node. Upon transmitting a packet from the node on a network channel, a first counter associated with the channel is incremented. Upon receiving an acknowledgment packet responsive to the transmitted packet, a second counter associated with the channel is incremented. A stability metric for the channel is computed based on values stored in the first and second counters. Additionally, interference on a channel of the network is measured at a node. Upon determining that no packet is received during a predetermined time-period on the channel, a received signal strength (RSS) is measured on the channel at an end of the predetermined time-period. Alternatively, upon determining that a packet is received during the predetermined time-period on the channel, the RSS is measured on the channel following completion of the transmission of the packet on the channel.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing nodes in a wireless network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The second node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper, a timing error measurer for making a timing error measurement between the first time keeper and the second time keeper. The second timekeeper is adjusted to target minimizing the timing error measurement.

Abstract: A mesh network system includes a plurality of network nodes, a network manager, and at least one access point. The network nodes communicate wirelessly with each other and the at least one access point of the mesh network system. The network manager manages operation of a wireless mesh network including the nodes and the at least one access point. The at least one access point communicates wirelessly with the network nodes, and provides a gateway between the wireless mesh network and the network manager. The at least one network access point is operative to synchronize its operation timing to an external clock, such as a UPS or UTC clock. Furthermore, in wireless mesh networks including multiple access points, the access points can synchronize their operation timing to each other, and can provide timing information to other access points and nodes in the network.