Abstract: An improvement in a Two Way Automated Communications System (TWACS) requires only three of six previously required vectors to communicate with remote communication equipment (RCE) devices installed in the three phases of a utility's low voltage distribution network for concurrent outbound signal communications over the TWACS. The reduction in vectors allows an outbound injection silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) array used for such purposes to be greatly simplified and further allows the SCRs in the array to be operated independently, and therefore concurrently.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronized phasor measurement in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods quantify the phase angle between voltages or currents at any two points in the distribution network. In another aspect, the systems and methods establish a common time reference between points on a power distribution network by transmitting a synchronization pulse throughout the distribution network. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods extract phasors from a power line waveform by utilizing a phase-locked loop (PLL) and regression of the zero-crossings of the PLL output waveform.

Abstract: An antenna system for a meter and/or other communication device, including a capacitive electric field source and an external antenna element. The capacitive electric field source is positioned within a dielectric cover and is electrically connected to an output port of a transceiver for forming an electric field indicative of the output signal. The external antenna element is separated from the capacitive electric field source by the dielectric cover and is configured for capacitively coupling to the capacitive electric field source and radiating electromagnetic radiation indicative of the output signal. The external antenna element then efficiently radiates and receives electromagnetic waves for wireless communications.

Abstract: A method of generating random and pseudo-random material which is incorporated in devices located at each end of a communications network for secure communications through a channel of the network. The material is used to generate time based one-time pads, one-time keys, and the keys themselves. The one-time pads, one-time keys, and the keys support a key-based or pad based cryptographic technique employed to produce secure communications of messages transmitted through the channel with a one-time pad, one-time key, or a key generated at one interval of time being different and unique from a one-time pad, one-time key, or a key generated at any other interval of time.

Abstract: An advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system includes a meter data management system, an AMI network, a network communication module and metering devices. The AMI network connects to a reference time clock and the meter data management system. The network communication module connects to the AMI network and is in communication with the reference time clock via the AMI network. Each metering device is connected to the network communication module and has a metrology device and a communication module device. The communication module device provides clock adjustments to the metrology clock and/or its own clock. The metrology device provides clock adjustments to the communications module clock and/or its own clock. Methods for use in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system provide clock adjustments.

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 method of two-way communications over a power distribution network in which outbound communication signals (O) and an inbound communication signals (I) modulate a time-varying waveform propagated through the network, on the low voltage side of the network. An outbound signal waveform is detected at a customer location (C) with remote communication equipment (RCE) at the customer location then producing a return or inbound communication signal. A corresponding inbound signal is produced in an associated voltage waveform and this signal is detected and processed by a distribution concentrator unit (DCU) at the sending end of the network. The transmission and detection of signals on the low voltage side of the network requires less energy than the generation, propagation, detection, and processing of signals on the high voltage side thereof.

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: Systems and methods for detecting faults in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods determine a probability that each node of the network is powered and a probability that each distribution line in the network is faulted. In another aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by transmitting a signal over a power distribution network with an active sounding system. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by utilizing collected data coupled to the power distribution network.

Abstract: A transmitter transmits an outbound message signal via the power distribution system. The transmitter includes a spreader for spreading the spectrum of the communications signal before transmitting the outbound message signal. A receiver despreads the spectrum of the received digitized signal and digitally demodulates the received despread signal to generate the message. The transmitted signal is orthogonal to a source of interference on the power distribution system.

Abstract: An antenna is adapted for receiving via a CDMA/1×RTT digital wireless cellular radio communications network incoming data from a client remote control station, and for transmitting via a wireless cellular communications network outgoing data to the client remote control station. A cellular modem is connected to the antenna for establishing a wireless telephony data connection, and a processor is connected to the modem for receiving and processing incoming data, and for processing and communicating outgoing data to the modem for transmission via the antenna and the wireless cellular communications network to the client remote control station. A communication interface, such as a WiFi hotspot, is connected to the processor and connectable to the meter for communicating incoming data from the processor to the meter, and for communicating the outgoing data from the meter to the processor. A power supply is connected for supplying power to the processor and the modem.

Abstract: As disclosed, a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) and method are used by an electrical utility in which outbound messages are sent from the utility to a consumer and inbound messages are sent from the consumer to the utility. The respective outbound and inbound messages are sent and received over the utility's power distribution system. A receiver including an analog filter component, an A/D converter and a digital processor detects the outbound messages. A substation transceiver is configured for sending analog outbound messages from the utility to a consumer. A transponder is configured for sending inbound messages to the transceiver from the consumer to the utility, the respective outbound and inbound messages being modulated on a mains signal of the utility's power distribution system. The receiver in another form includes an analog filter component, a detecting circuit and a demodulator.

Abstract: An electronic device generates identifying values which are used in authenticating the electronic device. The device comprises an interface, a private key generator for generating a private key, a non-volatile memory for storing at least the private key, an index source, a hash engine, and a logical interconnection between the private key generator, the non-volatile memory, the index source, the hash engine and the interface. The hash engine generates identifying values provided to the interface via the logical interconnection. The identifying values are provided to a verifying device for use in authenticating the electronic device. Alternatively or in addition, devices may be paired to share a root key to cryptographically communicate between each other and/or to authenticate each other.

Abstract: A receiver and method for a transponder of a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) used by an electrical utility in which analog outbound messages are sent from the utility to a consumer and inbound, reply messages are sent from the consumer to the utility. The receiver and method enable a transponder to detect the outbound messages and include A/D conversion and digital processing for demodulating a digitized signal and providing the outbound message.

Abstract: A method of Demand Response (DR) utilizing a Load Control Transponder (LCT) installed at the location of an electricity consumer. A DR program, in conjunction with the LCT, allows a consumer to determine, in advance, when they will reduce their demand on an electricity supply system. The consumer is informed of price points at which the cost of energy increases due to overall demand. The consumer then determines if, and when, they will reduce their demand on the system when a price point is reached. In addition, when an unplanned, critical event occurs, the method enables the utility to bypass any intermediate consumer established settings and immediately and directly drop the level of energy consumption to the consumer's lowest selected level for continuing service thereby to shed sufficient load on the system to maintain an adequate level of electricity supply. Once the event has been resolved, the method enables the utility to restore the consumer's previous level of usage.

Abstract: An agile switched-load transmitter for a communications system for a power distribution network comprises a resonant transponder (T1) with a variable primary frequency. The transmitter significantly increases the bandwidth for communications, significantly lessens the effect of bandwidth noise, and greatly improves both the quality of communications and data throughput. Switches (S1, S2) selectively connect the transponder to the communications systems and control current flow through a resonant circuit of the unit, particularly the timing between charging and discharging of a capacitive component thereof. This allows the frequency of operation of the transmitter to be controlled so an inbound signal has a frequency within a range of selected frequencies, rather than a fixed frequency, and enables the transponder to deliver an output signal of relatively high power that propagates through the power distribution network with relatively little loss in signal strength.

Abstract: A demand response unit (DRU) interposed between a utility's electrical power line (PL) and at least one load (L1-Ln) to which power is supplied by the utility over the line. A detector (Fdet or Vdet) measures a characteristic (frequency F, voltage V) of an electrical waveform (W) by which power is transmitted by the utility to the load. The detector determines both when the measured frequency or voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold for a first predetermined period of time; and, if the threshold is exceeded, when the frequency or voltage exceeds the second predetermined threshold for a second predetermined period of time. For this purpose, the detector processes a predetermined number of intervals of the waveform and produces an average value of the characteristic which is compared to the threshold. This is done to reduce the effect of extraneous events which may temporarily change the value of the frequency or voltage.

Abstract: An electronic device generates identifying values which are used in authenticating the electronic device. The device comprises an interface, a private key generator for generating a private key, a non-volatile memory for storing at least the private key, an index source, a hash engine, and a logical interconnection between the private key generator, the non-volatile memory, the index source, the hash engine and the interface. The hash engine generates identifying values provided to the interface via the logical interconnection. The identifying values are provided to a verifying device for use in authenticating the electronic device. Alternatively or in addition, devices may be paired to share a root key to cryptographically communicate between each other and/or to authenticate each other.

Abstract: When load control is activated by a local or remote mechanism to control a load, the method and system use a usage profile of the load and one or more of (1) interval start times, (2) ON/OFF or OFF/ON cycling and (3) predefined periods during which load must not be allowed to run (e.g., dead zones) to determine when a particular piece of equipment is allowed to shed or run thereby reducing the probability of occurrence of cyclical and non-cyclical aggregate peaking of usage wherein cyclical peaking is manifested as an artifact of the local load control rules during a load control event.

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.