Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed toward validation and installation of a file system. A method for mitigating security breach for a circuit platform subject to compromise by unauthorized changes to a file system includes abstracting the file system into an encrypted file with cryptographically signed components. The file system may have instruction code or other data for an operating system and may be stored by or on behalf of the circuit platform. During boot time of the operating system, an unencrypted version of the operating system and the encrypted file may be accessed and used by validating a signature associated with the file system. In response to validating the signature, the file system is installed into a transient, non-persistent storage circuit. As such, the operating system executes instruction code via a central processing unit (CPU) circuit under authorization based on the validated signature.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features include a system and method for monitoring the operational status of assets in an electric power distribution system. For example, an asset monitoring system identifies a zone of operation for an asset under evaluation. The asset monitoring application identifies meters connected to transformers in the zone of operation and obtains meter voltages for the meters over multiple intervals. The asset monitoring application determines a primary voltage for at least one transformer based on at least one meter voltage. The asset monitoring application uses the primary voltage in a power flow calculation to estimate an operational setting for the asset. The asset monitoring application compares the voltages from the power flow analysis using the estimated operational setting and the voltages from the meter voltages across multiple time intervals. Based on the comparison, the asset monitoring application determines an operational status of the asset.

Abstract: Techniques described herein register an endpoint device, such as a utility meter, with multiple headend systems. A system described herein includes a utility meter, which measures consumption of a resource, and a Network Management System (NMS) headend system, which manages a network. The utility meter joins the network and obtains an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the NMS headend system. The utility meter transmits a network registration request to the NMS headend system using the IP address of the NMS headend system and receives, from the NMS headend system, network-related settings of the network. The utility meter obtains an IP address of a second headend system configured to provide a service over the network. Further, the utility meter receives, from the second headend system, configuration settings for using the service of the second headend system and, as such, configures the radio with the network-related settings and the configuration settings.

Abstract: A method for updating firmware includes receiving, at a device, an updated installation package. The updated installation package includes an updated version of an installation package, which belongs to a set of installation packages stored on the device for installation of firmware on the device. The method further includes updating the set of installation packages by replacing the installation package with the updated installation package. The method further includes installing updated firmware in volatile memory of the device based on the updated set of installation packages. The method further includes storing an image of the updated firmware in nonvolatile storage of the device. Additionally, the method includes, during a boot process, loading the image from the nonvolatile memory of the device onto the volatile memory of the device, to enable running the updated firmware from the volatile memory, and verifying the authenticity of the updated firmware.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting node outages in a mesh network. A tracking node in the mesh network detects a set of signals originating from a tracked node in the mesh network. The set of signals includes beacons and communication messages transmitted by the tracked node. The tracking node determines that a threshold number of the alive beacon intervals have passed since receiving a most recent signal from the tracked node. The tracking node then outputs a ping to the tracked node requesting a response to the ping. When the response to the ping is not received from the tracked node, the tracking node transmits an outage alarm message to a next topologically higher layer of the mesh network, the outage alarm message comprising an identification of the tracked node.

Abstract: A method for detecting electric meter installation issues includes: determining an initial orientation of an electric meter based on initial acceleration measurements from an accelerometer positioned in the electric meter. Subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer may be continuously monitoring, and a subsequent orientation of the electric meter may be determined based on the subsequent acceleration measurements. A difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation based on the initial acceleration measurements and the subsequent acceleration measurements may be determined and compared to a threshold value. Based on the difference exceeding the threshold value, a notification of a change in orientation of the electric meter may be generated to a head-end system.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a fault-tolerant power supply are described. In an example, a system converts an alternating-current (AC) voltage to an initial direct current (DC) voltage. The system further converts the initial DC voltage to a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage. The system applies the first DC voltage to a high-priority device such as a metrology device. The system applies the second DC voltage to a low-priority or peripheral device. When the initial DC voltage is outside a voltage range, the system deactivates the second DC voltage to the lower-priority device and maintains the first DC voltage to the metrology device.

Abstract: A protection system described herein includes a first connector, a second connector, and a voltage-limiter device. The first connector is configured to connect to a first load-side terminal of an electric meter, and the second connector is configured to connect to a second load-side terminal of the electric meter. In a circuit between the first connector and the second connector, the voltage-limiter device is configured to clamp a voltage between the first and second load-side terminals at a trigger voltage, to prevent a greater voltage from reaching the electric meter when a service-disconnect switch of the electric meter is open and an external voltage greater than the trigger voltage is applied to a load side of the electric meter. The voltage-limiter device provides a conductive path in parallel with a customer premises associated with the electric meter when the voltage between first and second connectors reaches the trigger voltage.

Abstract: A system for autonomously validating the topology information of an electrical power distribution system is provided. For example, the system includes a group of meters previously determined to be connected to the same transformer of an electrical power distribution system. The group of meters is configured to perform family check periodically or upon request and to identify orphan meters in the group. The identified orphan meter can contact a community device communicatively connected to meters in more than one group to request a community check. The community device performs the community check by contacting meters in other groups of meters and obtain their family signature data. The community device further determines whether the orphan meter belongs to a new family based on the voltage data of the orphan meter and the family signature data of other groups. The orphan meter can report the community check results to a headend system.

Abstract: A network tap device is configured to join a secured network to be monitored through a joining process. The joining process includes communicating with the access point to obtain security keys of the monitored network and communicating with the access point to obtain a network address for the network tap device. After joining the secured network, the network tap device collects the network data on the secured network. Collecting the network data includes detecting network traffic on the monitored network, the network traffic containing encrypted data and unencrypted data, decrypting the encrypted data in the network traffic using the security keys to generate decrypted data, and adding the decrypted data and unencrypted data to the network data. The network tap device further transmits the collected network data to a monitoring workstation via a data transmission network.

Abstract: An electric meter socket includes a first connection path within the electric meter socket to form a first electrical connection between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter and line voltage wirings from an electric distribution system. The electric meter socket further includes a second connection path within the electric meter socket to form a second electrical connection between the DER meter and neutral wires of the electric distribution system, a DER device, and a load. Additionally, the electric meter socket includes a third connection path within the electric meter socket to form a third electrical connection between the DER meter and output voltage wirings of the DER device. Further, the electric meter socket includes a DER connector positioned on a side of the electric meter socket to receive the output voltage wirings of the DER device and to electrically couple the output voltage wirings to the third connection path.

Abstract: A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a global token based on a time duration specified for multiple meters that are in communication with the headend system through at least a mesh network in a normal condition. The global token is associated with the time duration and is applicable to the multiple meters. The headend system causes the global token to be broadcast via a broadcast network. After receiving the global token, the meter verifies the global token and determines the time duration associated with the global token. The meter further connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration associated with the global token.

Abstract: A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a time-based token based on a time duration specified for a meter. The time-based token indicates the time duration for the meter. The time-based token is further generated based on an identifier of the meter. The headend system transmits the time-based token to the meter via at least a mesh network. After receiving the time-based token, the meter validates the time-based token to determine that the time-based token is generated for the meter based on information related to the identifier of the meter. If the meter determines that the time-based token is valid, the meter connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration specified in the time-based token.

Abstract: A device in a utility distribution system may comprise a housing, a heat source, a first heat sink, a second heat sink, a heat pipe, and a flexible directional thermal interface material (“DTIM”) with a high-conductivity orientation. The first heat sink may be thermally coupled to the heat source. The second heat sink may be attached to the first heat sink, and the flexible DTIM and the heat pipe may be arranged between the first and second heat sinks. The flexible DTIM may be thermally coupled with the first heat sink and the heat pipe. The heat pipe may be capable of movements with respect to the flexible DTIM. During the movements, the heat pipe may maintain the thermal coupling with the flexible DTIM, such that heat present in the first heat sink may be transferred to the heat pipe via the high-conductivity orientation of the flexible DTIM.

Abstract: Detecting an outage by a first node in layer N of a multi-layer mesh network that is in communication with a root node via the mesh network. After waiting for a sustained outage period that expires, the first node waits for a layer-specific time interval that is based on a topology of the second layer. The first node receives a last gasp from a second node in layer N+1 of the multi-layer mesh network. The last gasp includes an identifier for the second node and an indication of layer N+1. After the layer-specific time interval expires, the first node transmits a consolidated last gasp that includes an identifier for the first node, an indication of layer N, the identifier for the second node, and the indication of layer N+1.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for software development on utility devices. In an example, a utility device, responsive to validating a manufacturer signature, transitions to an isolated development mode. When in the isolated development mode, the utility device is restricted from joining a network and receives an application from a development computing system. The utility device validates a network signature and transitions to a network testing mode. When in the network testing mode, the utility device joins the network, registers with a head end system via the network, and executes the application. After a threshold amount of time has lapsed the utility device transitions to the isolated development mode.

Abstract: An electric meter in a utility box is capable of detecting arcing conditions between meter blades and a meter socket in the utility box at a premises. The electric meter includes a current-transformer structure forming an enclosed space. An arc detection antenna can be placed in the enclosed space along with the current transformer. The current-transformer structure is placed on a baseplate of the electric meter near the blades connected to the meter socket. Leads of the arc detection antenna are electrically connected to an arc detection circuit configured to detect arcing conditions based on the signal received from the arc detection antenna. If it is determined that the arcing condition is present, the electric meter may be activated to interrupt the connection between the power source and the premises.

Abstract: A method for determining degradation of a capacitor in an electric meter includes, charging the capacitor to a predetermined voltage value during a charging period using charging circuitry of the electric meter, discharging the capacitor, during a discharge period, from the predetermined voltage value using discharging circuitry of the electric meter, measuring, during the discharge period, a first capacitor voltage value at a first time and a second capacitor voltage value at a second time later than the first time using capacitor measurement circuitry of the electric meter, determining, by a processor of the electric meter, a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the first voltage value, the second voltage value, the first time, and the second time, comparing the determined capacitance value to a capacitance threshold value, and determining that the capacitor is in a degraded condition when the calculated capacitance value is below the capacitance threshold value.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting interactions with a utility meter. In an example, a method transitions from a locked user input state into an unlocked user input state. While in the unlocked user input state, the method performs operations, including displaying, on a display of the utility meter, a menu that includes objects. The operations further include receiving, from an accelerometer, an acceleration measurement that represents three-dimensional movement. The operations further include comparing the acceleration measurement to an expected user input. The expected user input is associated with an interaction with a selected surface of the utility meter and is based on the displayed menu. The operations can further include when the acceleration measurement corresponds to the expected user input, updating the displayed menu to indicate a user selection of a selected object on the displayed menu and updating the display by navigating the menu to indicate the selected object.

Abstract: An electric meter includes: a plurality of connectors configured to form electrical connections to corresponding plurality of receptacles in an electric meter socket, wherein at least one electrical connection to the plurality of receptacles is formed with a neutral wire; and a plurality of measurement devices configured to measure electrical characteristics of voltage and current waveforms provided to the electric meter from an electric distribution system and a distributed energy resource (DER) device via the plurality of connectors. The neutral wire provides an electrical reference point for measurement of the voltage waveforms.