Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, designs, and methods of attaching an antenna to a utility meter faceplate. The faceplate is capable having an antenna adhesively attached to a side surface of the faceplate in a manner that minimizes noise from meter components.

Abstract: A sensor unit coupled to a first wire of a power line for measuring power-related parameters of the power line. The sensor unit contains a first capacitor and makes voltage measurements relative to another wire, to which the sensor unit is coupled by a second capacitor. The captors form a voltage divider such that the sensor unit may measure a voltage in a range much lower than the voltage on the power line. Additionally, the capacitive voltage divider yields a voltage that can be used to power the sensor unit, including by charging an energy storage device. The sensor unit may also supply power to other nearby devices, such as other devices that form a mesh sensor network.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to novel systems and methods that incorporate advanced inference algorithms can be developed to detect floating neutrals using phasor measurements. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to the use of phasor measurements to detect and localize floating neutrals in a distributed power network.

Abstract: Techniques comprising obtaining, using a sensor unit coupled to a power line in a power distribution system, at least one measurement of at least one inertial property of the power line; and detecting at least one condition of the power line at least in part by analyzing the at least one measurement. A sensor unit configured to be coupled to a power line in a power distribution system, the sensor unit comprising an inertial sensor configured to collect at least one measurement of at least one inertial property of the power line.

Abstract: An optical voltage sensor for measuring voltage on an underground power line or for use in other scenarios in which access to a conductor is available through a blind hole. The optical voltage sensor includes a light modulating member, such as a Pockel's crystal. A reflective, conductive member is positioned at one end of the light modulating member and another conductive member is positioned at an opposed end. A voltage capacitively coupled to the reflective conductive member induces a voltage across the light modulating member, thereby impacting the amount of modulation. A beam of light is directed through the crystal and reflected back out of the crystal, where the amount of modulating can be measured. The amount of modulation indicates a measured voltage, and can be transmitted to a monitoring station where processing can determine the status of the power grid or generate other results based on the measured voltage.

Abstract: Techniques for determining conditions of power lines in a power distribution system based on measurements collected by a plurality of sensor units deployed in the power distribution system. Techniques include obtaining first transformed data associated with a first set of one or more measurements collected by a first sensor unit in the plurality of sensor units and second transformed data associated with a second set of one or more measurements collected by a second sensor unit in the plurality of sensor units, and determining, by using at least one processor and based at least in part on one or more features calculated from the first transformed data and the second transformed data, at least one condition of at least one power line in the power distribution system.

Abstract: A system is described for generating random numbers. The system may include a plurality of information sources and one or more sampling devices coupled to each of the information sources. Each information source may have a characteristic which may differ from the characteristic of any other information source. The sampling devices may sample the information sources at some sampling interval. A sample value may be captured from each of the information sources by the sampling devices coupled thereto at the sampling interval. An output representative of a substantially random number may be derived from the sample values captured at the sampling interval.

Abstract: A method of detecting a signal transmitted over one phase of a multi-phase power distribution system, components of the signal concurrently appearing on all phases of the system. The method includes detecting the components of each signal appearing on each phase, including neutral, of the system. Detected signals are provided to a signal processor which processes them to produce a detected signal which is a composite of all the components. The signals are combined by a weighted summation scheme that takes into account signal and noise correlation properties to simultaneously maximize signal strength and suppress noise. If other signals are present on other phases of the system, any resulting interference is canceled out from the detected signal to further improve the quality of the detected signal.