Abstract: A data collection device and method for determining a backflow condition in a water distribution system. The data collection device receives a first data communication from a first node, the first data communication indicating a first possible backflow condition at the first node. The data collection device receives additional data communications from one or more second nodes, the additional data communications indicating backflow conditions at the second nodes. The data collection device aggregates and analyzes the first data value and the additional data values and determines that an actual backflow condition exists based on the aggregated data values and a known relationship between the first node and the second nodes. The data collection device may then perform action(s) in response to determining the backflow condition, such as reporting the backflow condition, requesting updated reporting from the nodes, closing appropriate valves, initiating pumps to increase water pressure, flushing the system, etc.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for evaluating connections between nodes in a mesh network.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide techniques for deciding when to use FEC to transmit a message between node devices in a mesh network. In various embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a communication application executing on a first node of a mesh network, a message; determining, by the communication application, a second node in the mesh network to transmit the message to, the second node being a neighbor of the first node; determining, by the communication application based on a history of forward error correction (FEC) and non-FEC transmissions with the second node, that FEC or non-FEC should be used to transmit the message; and transmitting, by the communication application, in response to determining that FEC or non-FEC should be used to transmit the message, the message to the second node using FEC or non-FEC.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a potential electrical threat by a utility meter are described herein. A metrology unit of the meter is configured to receive electrical data associated with electrical usage at a location The meter is configured to determine, based on the electrical usage at the location and/or previous electrical data, abnormalities indicative of an unstable connection, such as a loose wire connecting a load to a power supply. The meter may employ a machine learned model or other algorithm to identify the loose wire or unstable connection and is configured to disconnect power to the location and/or send a message to an alarm device at the location and/or to a computing device remote from the location. In this way, the metrology unit can be used to mitigate potential electrical threats, such as fire, due to an unstable connection such as a loose connection.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting a high gas pressure situation within a gas delivery system (e.g., for natural gas delivery to homes and businesses) are described. In one example, a device measures gas pressure. If a pressure over a threshold value is detected, a nearby device is messaged. The nearby device either confirms the over-pressure condition or indicates it may be more localized. If the condition is present within an area of the gas delivery system and/or within a group of devices within the gas delivery system, protective measures may be taken, such as closing valves providing gas to a number of service sites.

Abstract: Device(s) and techniques determine if a gas regulator supplying gas at a regulated pressure to a gas meter (e.g., the gas meter of a house or business) within a gas distribution system has one or more lock-up failure events or venting events, wherein gas is vented to the atmosphere. In an example, a sensor obtains information indicating a relative position of a stop stem of a gas regulator and a diaphragm pin of the gas regulator. As pressure increases within the regulator, the diaphragm pin moves toward and/or touches the stop stem. The gas pressure increase may result from debris in the regulator that prevents a valve from fully closing. A signal may be sent from the regulator and/or associated gas meter. The signal may contain information based at least in part on data from the sensor, and which may indicate a lock-up failure event or a venting event by the gas regulator.

Abstract: A metrology device may include a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include generating a challenge message, the challenge message including a challenge; issuing the challenge message in a scannable undirected advertising message; receiving from the field tool a response solution to the challenge message, the response solution being calculated based at least in part on the challenge and a challenge key associated with the challenge, and verifying the response solution based at least in part on a secure hash algorithm (SHA). The challenge key may include a fixed value specific to a manufacturer of the metrology device and known to the field tool and the metrology device.

Abstract: Techniques for using data indicating if a gas regulator supplying gas at a regulated pressure to a gas meter (e.g., the gas meter of a house or business) within a gas distribution system has one or more lock-up failure events or venting events, wherein gas is vented to the atmosphere. The data may identify the identity of gas regulators at which the lock-up failure events or venting events occurred. Based at least in part on the identified gas regulators, a number of gas regulators having at least one of lock-up failure events or venting events that are connected to a same gas supply line may be identified. If the number of gas regulators having at least one of lock-up failure events or venting events on the identified gas supply line exceeds a threshold number this may indicate the presence of debris in the gas supply. Remedial steps may be taken, and the situation may be monitored and reassessed.

Abstract: Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

Abstract: Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method performed by a first node device in a mesh network that includes identifying a plurality of neighbor node devices that have one or more blocks of a dataset; determining quality scores for respective node devices of the plurality of neighbor node devices; selecting, based on the quality scores, a second node device from the plurality of neighbor node devices; and sending, to the second node device, a first request to receive at least one block of the one or more blocks.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling water pressure at a plurality of water customer service sites are described. In an example, a first plurality of water service sites having water pressure values greater than a first threshold value are identified. A second plurality of water service sites having pressure values less than a second threshold value are identified. Valves controlling water flow to respective customer service sites within the first and second pluralities of water service sites are adjusted. The adjustments increase water pressure in the second plurality of water service sites to a pressure above a minimal target pressure. The adjustment maintains the water pressure of the first plurality of service sites above the minimal target pressure. In an example, groups of water service sites are associated with respective water mains and/or water pressure sensors. Information shared between groups may assist in adjusting water valves within the water system.

Abstract: Techniques for multi-data rate communications include receiving, by a first node device within a mesh network, an information element that specifies one or more communication modes supported by a second node device within the mesh network; selecting, by the first node device, a first communication mode from the one or more communication modes, wherein a first metric value determined for the first communication mode based on the information element is lower than a second metric value determined for a default communication mode by a threshold value; and configuring, by the first node device, a communication link between the first node device and the second node device according to the first communication mode.

Abstract: Techniques for managing multi-mode communications between nodes in a network include initiating, by a first node in a mesh network, a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) session while the first node is in a first mode. The CSMA/CA session is associated with a request to transmit a data message to a second node in the mesh network. Initiating the CSMA/CA session includes determining availability of a channel associated with a channel schedule of the second node associated with the first mode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for evaluating connections between nodes in a mesh network.

Abstract: Techniques for preserving battery life in poor signal conditions include an electronic device determining a coverage enhancement (CE) parameter associated with a link between the electronic device and a base station for a first point in time; determining, based on the CE parameter, that a signaling metric associated with the link for the first point in time is equal to or below a corresponding threshold; and in response to determining that the signaling metric is equal to or below the corresponding threshold, delaying transmission of one or more messages from the electronic device over the link until a second point in time that is later than the first point in time.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient compression of sensor data are described herein. In an example, metrology data is received from a metrology device, the metrology data comprising one or more of: voltage (V) data; current (A) data; resistive power (W) data; and volt-amps reactive power (VAR) data. The metrology data is processed, wherein the processing comprises: performing peak-detection on the metrology data, to create data-signals comprising: a timestamped peak-values data-signal; and a peak-removed data-signal. Median-filtering is performed on the peak-removed data-signal, wherein a median-filtered data-signal is created. Level-shift detection is performed on the median-filtered data-signal, wherein a timestamped level-shift data-signal is created. The data is sent to a server. The data may include the timestamped peak-values data-signal and the timestamped level-shift data-signal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing time synchronization within a network. The technique includes detecting a first scheduling conflict between a first transmission time associated with a first periodic beacon from a first node in the network and a second transmission time associated with a second periodic beacon from a second node in the network. The technique also includes determining a first alternate transmission time associated with the first periodic beacon based on a position of the first node in the network and the first transmission time. The technique further includes transmitting the first periodic beacon at the first transmission time, and transmitting an alternate periodic beacon at the first alternate transmission time.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to conserve battery of an endpoint device. Example techniques include adjusting the size of messages transmitted by an endpoint device and/or adjusting the transmission rate of an endpoint device. In some configurations, the one or more criteria are used by an endpoint device to determine what data fields to include within a message and/or adjust a transmission rate associated with the transmission of messages by the endpoint device. For instance, the one or more criteria may include the battery level of the device, the time of year, whether the data has already been transmitted by the endpoint device, whether the data has been acknowledged as received by another device, whether the endpoint device has been instructed by another device to reduce the message size and/or adjust the transmission rate, and the like.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining and processing utility consumption data (e.g., gas, water, electricity, etc.) of a utility network to determine if a violation has occurred with respect to a restriction schedule associated with a service site. By way of example, a number of utility restriction schedules associated with a number of service sites may be generated that indicate, for example, a type of restricted activity and/or event (e.g., irrigation), seasons and/or which days activity is allowed or not allowed, duration activity is allowed, and/or mitigation to take place if a violation is detected. A device (e.g., a smart utility meter, a router, etc.) may monitor utility consumption and detect a particular usage activity (e.g., irrigation) via data disaggregation. The device may compare the activity to the restriction schedule for that particular service site and perform automatic mitigation if a violation is detected.