Abstract: A network coordinator in a time-slotted channel hopping (“TSCH”) network can include a processing device and a memory on which instructions are stored for causing the processing device to (i) determine a first guaranteed time slot in a first occurrence of a hopping pattern is unassigned to any TSCH node of a plurality of TSCH nodes in the TSCH network; (ii) transmit a beacon during the first guaranteed time slot in the first occurrence of the hopping pattern; (iii) receive a signal from a TSCH node outside the TSCH network requesting joinder to the TSCH network; (iv) join the TSCH as a joined TSCH node; (v) assign a second guaranteed time slot to the joined TSCH node; (vi) determine the second guaranteed time slot in a second occurrence of the hopping pattern is assigned; and (vii) listen for communication from the joined TSCH node during the second guaranteed time slot.

Abstract: A coordinator node may dynamically allocate links for communication in a network and communicate the link allocations via beacons. The beacons include a dynamic allocation change detection IE, which the coordinator node adjusts each time it modifies the link allocations. A receiving node receives the beacon and uses the value of the dynamic allocation change detection IE to determine whether the link allocations have been modified. The coordinator node may transmit the beacons during scheduled beacon slots or shared links. If the coordinator node transmits a beacon during a shared link, it may also initiate communication of the beacon early during the slot. A receiving node may in turn transmit its data early in its newly allocated link, if it fails to transmit previously in this link due to a CCA failure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for prioritized associations between parent nodes operating on a time-slotted channel hopping (TSCH) network and child nodes installed in one or more home area networks. Upon initialization and bootup, a child node scans for one or more available parent nodes on the TSCH network. If there are less than a threshold number of available parent nodes within communication range of the child node, the child node transmits a prioritized association request to the parent node. The parent node supports prioritized association requests by reserving at least one connection slot for child nodes requesting prioritized association.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods related to detecting a type of pulse source that is removably attached to a computing device via a data line. The computing device receives two or more pulses from a pulse source via the data line. Based upon the number of pulses received on each input, the computing device can determine the type of pulse source to which it is attached. The computing device further determines an adjustment to the consumption counter based on the identified type of pulse source and the number of received pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for interleaving communications with a home area network (HAN) and a data network. A gateway device interleaves communications within timeslots of a time slotted channel hopping protocol. A gateway device can be configured to determine, during a first portion of a timeslot, whether the gateway device received a portion of a message from a data network. If the gateway device receives no messages from the data network during the first portion of the timeslot, the gateway device switches to listen for communication from the HAN during a second portion of the timeslot. If the gateway device receives a portion of the message from the HAN, the gateway device continues to receive receives the remainder of the message until one or more trigger conditions that cause the gateway device to listen for communication from the data network.

Abstract: Prior to joining a device to a network, the device is connected to an external system via a local connection. The external system provides the device with a local time stamp that includes a local time value and a local time error value. The device may use the time information to communicate with the external system. After the device is joined to the network, the device may transmit a communication on the network that includes time information. If so, then the communication includes a time value based on the device's time value and a time error value set to a value indicating a maximum error. The network is protected from potentially poor quality time information. Any device that receives the communication rejects the time information since the time error value indicates a maximum error.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods related to improving the accuracy of resource usage counting of a metered resource by a computing device. The computing device disables interrupts used by the processor to count pulses received from a utility meter on respective first and second wires of a cable. A data level for the first wire attached to the one or more sensors of the computing device is detected and recorded. The data level indicating whether a pulse is presently being received on the first wire. The computing device then disconnects a common ground in the cable between the computing device and the utility meter, and initiates performance of a test of the cable. The computing device then restores the individual interrupts and the common ground in a defined sequence based upon detection of a pulse in one of the two wires.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing communications between a parent device operating on a time-slotted channel hopping (TSCH) protocol and a low-energy network device operating on a low-energy channel hopping protocol. The parent device sub-divides TSCH timeslots and communicates with adjacent TSCH devices during a primary portion of the timeslot and listens for communications from a connected low-energy device during the secondary portion of the timeslot. Upon receiving a synchronization request from a low-energy device, the TSCH device transmits a synchronization response comprising synchronization data. The synchronization data allows the low-energy device to synchronize communications with the TSCH network by synchronizing with the channel hopping pattern of the TSCH protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining a low power endpoint (LPE) synchronized on a time synchronized channel hopping network (TSCH). An LPE receives a guaranteed time slot (GTS) from a parent node. The LPE determines a wake-up time that coincides with or is prior to the GTS. The LPE enters a low power mode to conserve power until the wake-up time occurs. At that time, the LPE enters a regular power mode and may communicate with the parent node.

Abstract: A network device is mounted to an aerial device and facilitates communication between components of a wireless mesh network. The components of the wireless mesh network may include network devices that include a metrology module for measuring resource consumption, routers, and collectors. The airborne network device may enable communication between a network device and a central system. Alternatively, the airborne network device may provide additional bandwidth during periods of high network activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing communication within a network endpoint, for example, a meter. The meter may include a communication module and a metrology module where the modules are connected via a communication path that is external to both modules. The modules exchange a pairing key to establish a paired channel of communication. When the communication module receives a communication through a network for establishing a secure channel to the endpoint, the communications module sends some or all of the security data to the metrology module to establish a secure communication from a head-end system through the communication module to the metrology module.

Abstract: A communication gateway communicates with a utility meter and a meter servicing device. The communication gateway includes a one-way processing module to process communications received from a one-way utility meter and includes a two-way processing module to process communications received from a two-way utility meter. For communications from a one-way utility meter the communication gateway may decode a signal received from the meter to obtain only certain information. For example, metering information may be extracted from the signal, but a spreading sequence may not be decoded.

Abstract: An active load management system (ALMS) is utilized to supply operating reserve to a utility. According to one embodiment, the ALMS determines amounts of power stored in power storage devices located at service points within the utility's service area, and stores the stored power data in a repository. The ALMS also determines an amount of available operating reserve based on at least the stored power data. When the utility needs operating reserve, the ALMS receives a request for operating reserve from the utility. The ALMS then manages a flow of power from the power storage devices to a power grid accessible by the utility responsive to the utility's request, taking into account the amount of available operating reserve. Determination of stored power data may be aided by reports received from control devices located at the service points, where the reports indicate amounts of power stored by the power storage devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods related to forecasting a low capacity state in an energy storage device of a node. A voltage is measured for the energy storage device of the node based upon measurement criteria. A counter for the node is adjusted based on the measured voltage, where the counter represents a history of instances of previous measurements of the voltage with respect to a voltage limit. The counter is adjusted in one direction if the measured voltage is below the voltage limit, and the counter is adjusted in the opposite direction if the measured voltage meets the voltage limit. If the counter meets a low capacity threshold, a low capacity condition is activated for the node. If the counter fails to meet the low capacity threshold, the value of the counter is stored for subsequent use during the next evaluation of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for assigning a short address to a node in a network. A first node receives an association request that is a request from a second node to join the network. The first node transmits an association response to the second node, whereby the association response permits the second node to conditionally join the network and enter a low-power state. Data from the association request is transmitted to a coordinator node for the network on behalf of the second node. The first node receives a proxy response from the coordinator node in response to the data from the association request. When the second node is active, a notification is transmitted to the second node based on the response to the request. The notification includes an assignment of a short address when the response indicates the second node has joined the network.

Abstract: In some aspects, a debugging application can obtain log data from a target device. The log data can be generated from the execution of object code by the target device. The object code can be generated from assembly code for the target device. For each of multiple program counter entries in the log data, the debugging application can identify a correspondence between the program counter entry and a respective portion of the assembly code and simulate a respective operation performed by the execution of the object code. The simulated operation corresponds to the program counter entry. Simulating the execution can include configuring a display device to display a visual indicator for the portion of the assembly code that caused a given operation. The visual indicator is displayed based on the identified correspondence between a portion of the assembly code and a program counter entry from the log data.

Abstract: This disclosure involves debugging code for resource-constrained intelligent devices contemporaneously with executing object code on the intelligent device. For example, object code is transmitted to a radio device. A program counter entry is provided from the radio device to a computer via a communication link contemporaneously with a pause in execution of the object code at the radio device. A correspondence between the program counter entry and a portion of assembly code, which was used to generate the object code, is identified and is used to generate a list of additional program counter entries for pausing the object code's execution. The list is provided from the computer to the radio device and is used to pause the object code's execution at the radio device. Log data is provided from the radio device to the computer for display after pausing the object code's execution at one of these program counter entries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for interleaving communications with a home area network (HAN) and a data network. A gateway device interleaves communications within timeslots of a time slotted channel hopping protocol. A gateway device can be configured to determine, during a first portion of a timeslot, whether the gateway device received a portion of a message from a data network. If the gateway device receives no messages from the data network during the first portion of the timeslot, the gateway device switches to listen for communication from the HAN during a second portion of the timeslot. If the gateway device receives a portion of the message from the HAN, the gateway device continues to receive receives the remainder of the message until one or more trigger conditions that cause the gateway device to listen for communication from the data network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically adjusting a wait time between packets. The wait time may be increased to improve the packet loss rate. Once increased, the wait time may be decreased if the packet loss rate improves. The packet loss rate is monitored after a predetermined number of packets are sent so that additional adjustments may be made as needed.