Abstract: A wireless mesh network is configured to implement a latency-sensitive communication protocol in order to facilitate data communications between devices coupled to that network and configured to communicate with one another based on that protocol. Specifically, a node within the wireless mesh network receives a continuous stream of data that includes an N-bit sequence from an upstream device coupled to the wireless mesh network. The node transmits the N-bit sequence to a downstream node within the wireless mesh network. The downstream node re-creates the continuous stream of bits based on the received N-bit sequence, and then transmits the re-created continuous stream of bits to another device coupled to the wireless mesh network. By operating in conjunction with one another, the nodes within the wireless mesh network facilitate communication between the devices coupled to wireless mesh network according to the latency-sensitive communication protocol.

Abstract: A server acts as a proxy mechanism for node registration with a database. The node initially registers to participate in a wireless mesh network by transmitting a registration request to the server. The server forwards the request to the database, which validates the request. The server records that the registration request was, in fact, validated by the database. The node is then permitted to participate in the network. If the node becomes decoupled from the network, the node may then transmit a re-registration request to the server. Since the server recorded that the previous registration was validated, the server may then simply validate the re-registration request, without interacting with the database.

Abstract: An access point coupled to a node within a network is configured to combine channel maps provided by other access points to which the node is coupled, thereby reconciling any discrepancies between those channel maps. The access point may also combine channel maps associated with different regions that the node may occupy, thereby reducing the number of channel maps that must be transmitted to the node when the node travel between regions.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a utility node to communicate in a wireless utility network are provided. A utility node in the wireless utility network discovers at least two access points each respectively constituting an interface between a wide area network and the wireless utility network. The node discovers at least two access points constituting an interface between the two networks, registers with the discovered access points, and obtains at least two unique network addresses each respectively associated with a corresponding one of the access points with which the node has registered. The node provides the at least two addresses to a back office server which is communication with the wide area network to provide the back office server with at least two routes to reach the node. The at least two routes are respectively associated with a corresponding one of the access points with which the node registered.

Abstract: Securing the manufacturing supply chain with digital certificates. A token is coupled to a manufacturing station and enabled via a personal identification number. The token includes a counter limiting the maximum number of certificates to be signed, and compares a serial number of a digital certificate to a tracked serial number. In some embodiments, the token is linked to a particular manufacturing station once the token is enabled.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for managing an end-device connected to a commodity delivery network. One device includes computer-readable medium containing instructions for managing the end-device and a processor for executing the instructions. The instructions include instructions for detecting tampering of the end-device, ignoring the detected tampering when the end-device has been placed in an ignore mode, and automatically disconnecting the end-device from the commodity delivery system based on the detected tampering when the end-device has not been placed in the ignore mode.

Abstract: A wireless node that bridges a wireless communications gap between a first wireless device, such as a smart meter, and a wireless network, such as a smart grid network, by repeating wireless communications received by the wireless node. The wireless node is integrated with another powered device common to buildings to provide a clandestine improvement to wireless communications. Additionally, the wireless node may effect testing of the powered device and provide results of the test wirelessly to remote devices. The wireless node may take the form of an exit sign, an emergency light, a speaker, and a combination of one or more of these devices. The wireless node may also track power consumption of the repeater portion of the wireless node to provide billing credit to power consumers.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed by which RF mesh networks can identify utility distribution topologies by using power line communication combined with wireless networking to identify the mapping of transformers and other distribution equipment at a back office system server. At a specified time, an item of distribution equipment signals a unique identifier by introducing a phase shift in the electric power being delivered by that equipment. A meter node detects and decodes these temporal shifts to obtain an identifier of equipment supplying the power to it. Upon ascertaining this identification, the meter node sends an acknowledgment to thereby register with that equipment. The association of the particular customer's premises with the equipment is also sent to a back office system, to enable a map of the correspondence between meter and the equipment to be generated.

Abstract: Methods and systems a provided for security in a wireless utility network. The methods and systems use different levels of trust to securely enroll new nodes into a network through other nodes acting as proxies. A node's security state with respect to another node in the network is categorized into one of several trust levels. A node responds to certain requests, actions or messages depending based on its trust level with the other entity. Initially, a node is not trusted. A first trust level is established based on a digital certificate that is stored in a node when the node is manufactured. A second trust level is established based on a second digital certificate obtained from a certifying authority while a node is in the first trust level. A node with a verified second certificate can be fully enrolled in the network and participate as a network node with minimal or no constraints.

Abstract: In an embodiment, triplets of network-enabled FCIs operate to monitor the three phases of a power distribution system. In being network-enabled, the FCIs also operate as nodes of an RF mesh network. In an embodiment, upon the detection of a power failure, the triplet of network FCIs is serially operated so as to extend their networking capabilities by approximately three times.

Abstract: A technique for providing an improved way to update the nodes of a wireless mesh network is described. An upgrade engine executing on a server connected to the wireless mesh network determines a topology of the network, subdivides the network into a plurality of clusters based on the topology of the network, and seeds a small number of nodes within each cluster. The upgrade engine manages the upgrade process, notifying particular nodes within each cluster when to search for an upgrade package (e.g., an image of a new firmware) stored in an adjacent node. The upgrade engine also monitors success and failure of each node and delivers the upgrade package to a node directly when the node fails to download the upgrade package from an adjacent node within the network.

Abstract: A node within a wireless mesh network is configured to forward a high-priority message to adjacent nodes in the wireless mesh network by either (i) transmitting the message during successive timeslots to the largest subset of nodes capable of receiving transmissions during each timeslot, or (ii) transmitting the message on each different channel during the timeslot when the largest subset of nodes are capable of receiving transmissions on each of those channels.

Abstract: A node within a wireless mesh network is configured to select a primary path through an access point and to designate that access point as the primary access point for the node. The access point then transmits a failover message indicating that the node designated that access point as the primary access point for the node at a particular time. When another access point receives the failover message, the other access point may determine that the first node has also designated the other access point as the primary access point for the node, and may then de-register the node and stop advertising a primary path to the node.

Abstract: A node within a wireless mesh network is configured to forward a high-priority message to adjacent nodes in the wireless mesh network by either (i) transmitting the message during successive timeslots to the largest subset of nodes capable of receiving transmissions during each timeslot, or (ii) transmitting the message on each different channel during the timeslot when the largest subset of nodes are capable of receiving transmissions on each of those channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and targeting power outages are provided. Electric meters of a system receive electric power from power distribution equipment in a power distribution network and information that identifies the respective power distribution equipment from which the meters receive electric power. Communication nodes are associated with electric meters and receive, from neighboring communication nodes, information identifying each respective neighboring communication node and the information identifying the power distribution equipment from which respective electric meters, associated with neighboring communication nodes, receive electric power. A communication node of a particular electric meter can select a suitable communication node of a neighboring electric meter with which it can communicate. When the particular electric meter experiences a loss in power, it can then transmit an immediate regarding the loss in power to the selected communication node.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a dual mode smart grid meter configured to operate within both an automatic meter reading (AMR) system and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. An AMR transmitter periodically transmits metrology data for interoperation with AMR reading operations. An AMI transceiver responds to AMI queries and commands for interoperation with AMI requirements. The disclosed dual mode smart grid meter beneficially enables utility operators to deploy or upgrade metering devices within an existing AMR network without disruption meter reading operations, while simultaneously preparing for an overall upgrade to reading operations based on AMI protocols.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for detecting when an end-device is physically disconnected from a commodity delivery network. One method includes determining an impedance of a power input of the end-device after the end-device experiences a power interruption, generating a message including data regarding the impedance, transmitting the message to a computer-implemented back office over at least one communication network, and automatically setting a status of the end-device to a physically-disconnected status when the data regarding the impedance indicates the impedance is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network is configured to manage a power grid. Each node within the wireless mesh network is configured to detect and classify voltage fluctuations in power supplied by an upstream transformer coupled to the power grid. When a given node detects a particular type of fluctuation (i.e., an “event”), the node generates a timestamped event classification that reflects the type of event and a time when the event occurred. A server configured to manage the wireless mesh network receives timestamped event classifications from each node within the wireless mesh network and then performs a time correlation with the received timestamped event classifications to determine which nodes detected similar events. When two or more nodes detected the same event at similar times, the server determines that those nodes are coupled to the same transformer.

Abstract: A source node residing within a wireless mesh network is configured to transmit data packets to downstream nodes also residing within the wireless mesh network. Upon receipt of a data packet, a given downstream node determines a channel on which to transmit an acknowledgement packet and a sub-interval of time during which to transmit the acknowledgement packet based on a short ID assigned by the source node. At the determined sub-interval of time, the downstream node transmits the acknowledgement packet to the source node on the determined channel.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting data in a listen before talk (LBT) wireless transmission regime. A digital radio receiver is configured to simultaneously receive and decode digital data transmissions from multiple radio channels. A digital radio transmitter is configured to listen to the multiple radio channels prior to transmitting digital data on a selected one of the multiple channels, based on locally determined channel occupancy. Optimal LBT efficiency is achieved within the set of multiple channels, thereby improving overall transmission efficiency between the transmitter and the receiver.