Abstract: A method for ranking network assets based on downstream events may include: receiving communications from one or more sensors in a power distribution network, the communications indicating the occurrence of a network event; calculating a probability of a network asset causing a problem indicated by the event for each network asset in an affected area of the network; calculating a spread probability of the network asset causing the problem for each network asset in the affected area of the network; based on the probability and the spread probability, calculating a probability of the network asset malfunctioning for each network asset in the affected area of the network; comparing the probability of the network asset malfunctioning to a threshold value; based on the comparison, determining a network asset having a highest probability of malfunctioning; and controlling one of more other network assets to mitigate the problem.

Abstract: Systems and methods optimize broadcast transmissions from a parent device operating on a time-slotted channel hopping (TSCH) network to one or more low-energy endpoint devices connected and synchronized to the communications of the TSCH parent device. As part of a Receiver Initiated Transmit (RIT) communication process, the TSCH parent device receives a check-in communication from a connected low-energy endpoint device during a wake state of a wake/sleep cycle of the low-energy endpoint device. In response to the check-in message, the TSCH parent device transmits an acknowledgment message identifying a broadcast timeslot during which the TSCH parent device will broadcast stored broadcast messages. During the identified timeslot, the TSCH parent device broadcasts stored broadcast messages to any connected low-energy endpoint devices that are tuned in to the corresponding frequency channel according to the TSCH protocol.

Abstract: This disclosure involves verifying that a power network model corresponds to an electric power network providing electrical power in a geographical area. For instance, a validation device computes a validation score for a power network model based on a connectivity score, an asset score, and a power-flow score. The connectivity score indicates connectivity errors in the power network model as compared to the power network. The asset score indicates power-delivery errors in the power network model with respect to power-consuming assets serviced by the power network. The power-flow score indicates power-flow calculation errors in the power network model with respect to voltage ranges for the power network. The validation score is repeatedly computed for iteratively updated versions of the power network model until a threshold validation score is obtained. The validated power network model is provided to a control system for identifying and correcting errors in the power network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing scheduled communication between a primary network, such as a time synchronized channel hopping (“TSCH”) network, and a secondary network, such as a carrier sense multiple access (“CSMA”) network. During a first selected slot-offset in a TSCH hopping pattern, a gateway node communicates with a primary network node. During a second selected slot-offset in the TSCH hopping pattern, the gateway node communicates with a secondary network node. A communication schedule identifies the source and destination nodes and channel frequency for each slot-offset. The communication schedule is set such that the CSMA wake-up period for the secondary network is synchronized with the second slot-offset in the TSCH hopping pattern.

Abstract: A service node performs computational tasks or other operations on behalf of a meter or other network device. A meter may collect data regarding electric parameters associated with an electric distribution network. When analysis of the collected data is required, the meter may determine that it requires the resources of a service node. The meter may send a request to a directory node to identify a service node or it may send a request seeking a service node. The service node performs the analysis and sends the results of the analysis back to the meter. The service nodes supports the dynamic distributed processing of analytic services.

Abstract: An electrical metering system in a utility box is capable of receiving electrical signals received from a power utility company. The electrical metering system includes measurement circuitry capable of measuring properties of the received electrical signals. Based on the measurements, a determination is made that an arcing condition is present in the utility box. Based on the determination that the arcing condition is present, a disconnect circuit is activated to interrupt the connection between a source of the electrical signals and a premises.

Abstract: An energy allocation system may include a group of agents, each agent corresponding to a device requesting an amount of energy. The energy allocation system may perform a comparison, such as a hybridized comparison, between a selected agent and each other agent included in the group. Based on the outcome of each comparison for the selected agent, an aggregated outcome for the selected agent is determined. The aggregated outcome for the selected agent is compared to a threshold for the energy allocation system. Based on the comparison of the aggregated outcome to the threshold, the selected agent either receives the requested amount of energy or receives an instruction to enter a low-power state.

Abstract: A network using a routing protocol for low-power and lossy networks (“RPL”) can provide timing information for a next destination oriented directed acyclic graph (“DODAG”) information object (“DIO”) packet by including DIO timing information in an RPL packet or a beacon. When a low energy node receives the RPL packet, it may use the DIO timing information to determine a wake time which corresponds to the timing of the next DIO packet. The low energy node may enter a sleep state after determining the wake time and remain in the sleep state until the wake time when it enters an active state and listens for the next DIO packet. Alternatively, DIO slots in a DIO slot frame may be allocated for communicating DIO packets.

Abstract: A radio and advanced metering system. In an example, a multi-device module includes a host device interface configured to connect to a host device. The host device interface includes a communications interface that can send communications to and receive communications from the host device. The multi-device module includes a radio that can to connect to a wireless network and a microcontroller configurable to provide metering functions and smart metering applications.

Abstract: A communication module uses information received from a metrology module within the same network device and information about the properties of the specific metrology module, such as supply capacity and pulse volume, to determine when an error condition exits. The communication module accumulates pulses during an accumulation interval and compares the number of pulses accumulated during the accumulation interval to a threshold number of pulses to determine whether an error condition exists. If there is an error condition, then the communication module generates an alert and may transmit the alert without waiting for a scheduled communication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal assembly for a utility meter enclosure. The seal assembly secures together a front cover and a base of the utility meter enclosure in a way that requires breaking of the seal assembly in order to open the utility meter enclosure. As such, the seal assembly provides an indication if the utility meter enclosure has been opened or tampered with.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting data between an integrated head-end system and endpoint devices of a utility metering system. The utility metering system may include a single head-end system including an application layer, an end-device protocol layer, and a network protocol layer operable to generate messages for transmitting to the endpoint devices to obtain metering information. The layers may also be operable to interpret messages received from the endpoint devices including the metering information and convert the messages into a usable format. In some aspects, the end-device protocol layer and the network protocol layer may include adapters for converting information included in the messages based on a metering protocol or network protocol, respectively, used by the endpoint devices.

Abstract: A utility meter assembly having a base that is secured to a front cover. The assembly includes a dual locking system having a first locking position and a second locking position. In the first locking position, the front cover is removably secured with the base. In the second locking position, the front cover is permanently secured with the base to prevent separation of the two components unless one or both components are destroyed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring power consumption by electrical devices. In some aspects, a computing device can detect a change in aggregate electricity usage at a monitored environment that includes multiple electrical devices. The computing device can determine that electricity usage by one of the electrical devices has changed. The computing device can determine that the change in electricity usage has occurred based on a change in a monitored operational parameter other than electrical power provided to the electrical device. The value of the monitored operational parameter can change based on an operation performed by the electrical device when using electricity. The computing device can determine how electricity is used by the electrical device by correlating the change in the aggregate electricity usage and the change in the electricity usage by the electrical device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for optimizing broadcast messaging for a node. The node receives data for a message from the network. While the data for the message is being received and upon completion of an initial portion of the message, the node determines identification information for the message specified in the initial portion. When (i) the identification information specifies that the message is a broadcast message and (ii) an identifier in the message matches a stored identifier of a previously received broadcast message, the node terminates receiving the data for the remainder of the message. Alternatively, when (i) the identification information specifies that the message is a broadcast message and (ii) the identifier in the message does not match any stored identifier of a previously received broadcast message, the node continues receiving data for the subsequent portion of the message and stores the identifier for the broadcast message.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for selecting a parent node in a time-slotted channel hopping (“TSCH”) network. A method can include synchronizing, by a low-energy node, communications with a channel hopping pattern of a primary TSCH network. The method can further include transmitting, by the low-energy node, a selection-phase enhanced beacon request that requests an enhanced beacon from TSCH nodes with availability to accept children and with at least a specified link quality using the synchronized communications. The method can further include receiving, by the low-energy node, a selection-phase enhanced beacon from a TSCH node. The method can further include transmitting, by the low-energy node, an adoption request to the TSCH node. The method can further include receiving, by the low-energy node, an adoption response from the TSCH node indicating the TSCH node is managing the primary TSCH network join on behalf of the low-energy node.

Abstract: An electricity meter assembly includes a meter and a module assembly. The meter includes a meter cavity, at least one electrical component within the meter cavity, and a module compartment having a module cavity. The module compartment is within the meter cavity and the meter cavity is isolated from the module cavity. The module assembly includes at least one supplemental board configured to supplement the at least one electrical component. The module assembly is removably positioned within the module cavity such that the module assembly is field-removable, and wherein the module assembly is hot pluggable with the meter.

Abstract: A service node performs computational tasks or other operations on behalf of a meter or other network device. A meter may collect data regarding electric parameters associated with an electric distribution network. When analysis of the collected data is required, the meter may determine that it requires the resources of a service node. The meter may send a request to a directory node to identify a service node or it may send a request seeking a service node. The service node performs the analysis and sends the results of the analysis back to the meter. The service nodes supports the dynamic distributed processing of analytic services.

Abstract: The determination and advertisement of a node's rank in an RF mesh network reflects sustained network changes. A node's advertised rank may be based on the node's induced rank and a previous rank candidate. Induced rank is the rank of the node at a particular point in time. Rank candidate is based on a running average of the node's past rank. The advertised rank may be based on a weighted sum of the induced rank and a previous rank candidate. Induced rank may consider a Link Quality Indicator (LQI), which may be based on a running average LQI.