Abstract: A method for programming global positioning system (GPS) coordinates for a smart meter includes receiving, by a server remote from the smart meter, an image file of a photograph of the smart meter; recognizing identification information of the smart meter from the image file; extracting GPS coordinates from metadata of the received image file; transmitting the GPS coordinates and instructions to store the GPS coordinates to the smart meter identified by the identification information; and storing, by a processor of the smart meter, the GPS coordinates in a memory of the smart meter.

Abstract: A multi-radio border router for synchronizing communications of multiple border router radios is provided. For example, the border router includes a border router component connected to each of the plurality of border router radios. The border router component configured for selecting one of the plurality of border router radios as a master radio and assigning channel offset parameters for each of the plurality of border router radios. The master radio is configured for broadcasting synchronization beacons based on which the non-master radios synchronize their respective clocks with that of the master radio. After the synchronization, each of the border router radios communicates with endpoints associated therewith according to a channel hopping pattern modified by applying a channel offset determined based on the channel offset parameters assigned to the respective radio.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features include techniques for reporting resource flow at a metering device. In an example, a metering device measures resource flow by measuring a pressure or a flow rate. The metering device sets a reporting rate to a default reporting rate. The metering device transmits communications indicating the measured resource flow to an external device at the reporting rate. The metering device detects seismic activity at the metering device. The metering device determines that the seismic activity exceeds a seismic threshold. The metering device, in response to determining that the seismic activity exceeds the seismic threshold, adjusts the reporting rate to an event reporting rate, and starts an event time period. The metering device, transmits communications indicating the measured resource flow to the external device at the event reporting rate during the event time period.

Abstract: A method includes storing, at a head-end system, an indication of initial configuration parameters of a configurable resource meter. The method also includes requesting, by the head-end system, a report indicating updated configuration parameters from the configurable resource meter and receiving, at the head-end system, the report indicating the updated configuration parameters of the configurable resource meter. Additionally, the method includes comparing an indication of the updated configuration parameters to the indication of the initial configuration parameters. Further, the method includes determining a potential compromise of the configurable resource meter when the indication of the updated configuration parameters is different from the indication of the initial configuration parameters.

Abstract: A tool listening device including a transceiver is configured to listen on a radio channel selected from a discovery channel hopping sequence. The tool listening device is configured to identify a preamble, indicating a start of a packet. The tool listening device continues to listen until a packet header is received. The tool listener extracts, from the packet header, a source address, a destination address and a frame type. The tool listening device adds the source address, the destination address, and the frame type to a data structure, and transmits the data structure to an external device, where the data may be visualized. The tool listening device is further configured to select another radio channel from the discovery channel hopping sequence.

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: Technologies for implementing edge intelligence for utility communication networks are provided. For example, a system includes a mesh network and a utility fog configured to manage the mesh network. The utility fog includes a secure utility system configured for executing a private utility application and a first edge intelligence device configured for executing a first subset of software applications. Each software application is configured to manage endpoints in the mesh network or process data collected by the mesh network. The mesh network includes the endpoints and an edge intelligence device configured for executing a second subset of the software applications that is different from the first subset of software applications.

Abstract: A sectorized antenna assembly includes a mounting device, a support arm, a first antenna assembly, and a second antenna assembly. The mounting device supports the sectorized antenna assembly on a structure, and the support arm is connected to the mounting device and extends outwards from the mounting device in a lateral direction. The first antenna assembly is directly connected to the mounting device. The second antenna assembly is supported by the support arm such that the support arm is between the second antenna assembly and the mounting device and such that the second antenna assembly is offset in the lateral direction from the mounting device compared to the first antenna assembly.

Abstract: An electric meter that is configured to regenerate meter state data after a power loss includes a memory with at least one volatile and non-volatile memory device and a processor connected to the memory. The processor is configured to retrieve a backup copy of meter state data and a plurality of meter input data samples that were generated after the backup copy of the meter state data and prior to the power loss from a nonvolatile memory device. The processor is configured to regenerate meter state data by updating the backup copy of meter state data with the plurality of meter input data samples to regenerate the meter state data at the time of a final meter input data sample prior to the power loss.

Abstract: Techniques for hot socket detection are disclosed. In an example, a meter includes a current transformer with a secondary bifilar winding. The meter is in proximity to a current coil. The secondary bifilar winding includes a first bifilar winding and a second bifilar winding. A start lead of the first bifilar winding is connected to a start lead of the second bifilar winding. The meter further includes a voltage source configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage signal. The DC voltage signal is provided to a finish lead of the first bifilar winding. A first sense resistor is connected between a finish lead of the second bifilar winding and ground. A processing circuit receives a signal indicating a voltage across the first sense resistor and determines a temperature associated with the current coil. The processing circuit is further configured to detect a hot socket condition based on the temperature.

Abstract: A DER (distributed energy resource) device includes a metrology module and a communications module. The metrology module monitors the output of the DER device and the communications module provides bidirectional communications across a communications network to control the DER device. The control of the DER devices may include commands to connect the DER device to the grid, to disconnect the DER device to the grid, to connect the DER device to the premises, or to adjust a power characteristic of the output of the DER device.

Abstract: A utility meter includes a real-time clock (RTC), a supercapacitor, a power supply, and a set of photodiodes. The RTC keeps time utilized for time stamps applicable to events that occur during alternating current (AC) power outages of the utility meter, and the supercapacitor powers the RTC. The power supply operates in an active mode responsive to an AC line voltage meeting a threshold and, when in the active mode, charges the supercapacitor to power the RTC. The set of photodiodes absorbs energy from ambient light and charges the supercapacitor to power the RTC. Thus, the supercapacitor is configured to be charged based on the power supply and based on the set of photodiodes.

Abstract: A switching system for an electricity meter, an electricity meter with a switch system and a method of switching switch are provided. In order to improve lifetime of the switch the timing of outputting a switching signal is adjusted based on a time difference between previously outputting the switching signal and achieving a predefined switching state.

Abstract: A system may include a device including a sensor configured to measure a parameter of a resource distributed along a distribution line of the resource distribution system and one or more validation devices. Each validation device includes a sensor configured to measure the parameter of the resource distributed along the distribution line or a related parameter. When the device detects that the parameter is out-of-range condition, it sends a query to the validation devices requesting information on the parameter or the related parameter. When the information regarding the parameter or related parameter also indicates an out-of-range condition, then the system validates the out-of-range condition. After validating the condition, the system may control a resource regulation device to adjust the parameter.

Abstract: A method identifies a duration of power interruptions in an electrical monitoring system. The method includes receiving, with an external monitoring system, a load profile from an electric meter that includes at least one of an accumulated frequency measurement and an accumulated number of zero crossing events that the electric meter records in an AC power signal during a predetermined monitoring period, and identifying a total duration of at least one power interruption during the predetermined monitoring period based on at least one of a deviation of the accumulated frequency measurement in the load profile from a predetermined accumulated frequency value or a deviation of the accumulated number of zero crossing events in the load profile from a predetermined number of zero crossing events during the predetermined monitoring period.

Abstract: A method for generating charge for a service disconnect operation for an electric meter includes: charging a service disconnect capacitor for an electric meter to a voltage higher than a voltage provided by a power supply of the electric meter; monitoring the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor; receiving, by the electric meter, a service disconnect switch instruction signal; determining, based on the monitoring, whether the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds a specified voltage threshold value; and in response to receiving the service disconnect switch instruction signal and determining that the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds the specified voltage threshold value, discharging the service disconnect capacitor through windings of a service disconnect actuator. The service disconnect actuator may be configured to cause contacts of a service disconnect switch to change position to make or break a circuit connection between a line voltage and a load.

Abstract: A utility meter has a multiprocessor architecture including (i) a microprocessing unit (MPU) for executing multiple software applications and (ii) another processing unit for performing core metrology functions in real time. For instance, the utility meter includes a metrology engine, an MPU, and one or more metrology applications. The metrology engine measures consumption of a resource and generates consumption data based on the consumption of the resource. The metrology engine includes a metrology processor, a dedicated memory, and a real-time operating system run by the metrology processor to enable the metrology engine to run time-critical metrology functions in real time. The MPU is coupled to the metrology processor and includes one or more processor cores. The MPU runs the one or more metrology applications over a primary operating system of the MPU, and the one or more metrology applications utilize the consumption data.

Abstract: A method includes a joining node, not yet joined to a network, listening to a second node that is joined to the network. The joining node may determine a join time at which to request to join the network. The joining node may receive from the second node a beacon indicating time synchronization of the network and further including a first congestion variable indicating a level of congestion of the network. The joining node may adjust the join time based on the first congestion variable in the beacon. At the join time, the joining node may transmit an association request to join the network.

Abstract: A system for discovering the topology and phase of an electrical power distribution system is provided. For example, a group of meters connected to an electrical power distribution system can process sensor data obtained at the meters and generate descriptors based on the processed data and transmit the descriptors to a headend system. The headend system can, after receiving the descriptors from the various meters in the system, group these meters to generate a grouping by applying clustering algorithms to the descriptors of these meters. The headend system can further compare the current grouping with past groupings to determine a confidence level of the current grouping and assign a segment identifier or a phase identifier or both to one or more of the meters based on the confidence level.

Abstract: An electric meter includes a housing, a first set of connection paths, and a second set of connection paths. The first set of connection paths couple to a meter socket and are electrically coupled to a first electrical connection path between first phases of an electric distribution power source, a distributed energy resource device, and a load. First electrical metrology components of the first electrical connection path are positioned within a first segment of the housing. The second set of connection paths couple to a meter socket and are electrically coupled to a second electrical connection path between second phases of the electric distribution power source, the distributed energy resource device, and the load. Second electrical metrology components of the second electrical connection path are positioned within a second segment of the housing that is non-overlapping with the first segment of the housing.