Abstract: A method includes periodically sending an Advanced Meter Reading (AMR) beacon from a node at a first regular time interval, the AMR beacon containing a register identification (ID) and a reading detected by the node, and periodically listening, at the node, for a hail message such that instances of listening occur at a second regular time interval smaller than the first regular time interval. The node can also be configured to receive a mobile command from a mobile transceiver, as well as a Network System Status Request and a parent assignment command from a stationary transceiver.

Abstract: A method of broadcasting firmware updating messages in a communication system includes the steps of receiving a broadcast remote firmware update (BRFU) setup message from an upstream source, the BRFU setup message specifying a number of transmissions of a broadcast of a firmware file; broadcasting setup information from the BRFU setup message on a first channel to downstream devices, the setup information specifying at least one other channel to which each downstream device should listen to receive a copy of the firmware file; and repeatedly broadcasting the firmware file to the downstream devices in accordance with the BRFU setup message.

Abstract: A method includes listening, at a mobile collector, for beacons from a plurality of nodes to locate and communicate with a targeted node, each beacon comprising a utility device identification (ID) and communication channel information; receiving, by the mobile collector, the beacon from the targeted node of the plurality of nodes; and determining, by the mobile collector, that the beacon was received from the targeted node based on the utility device ID included in the beacon.

Abstract: A method includes periodically sending an Advanced Meter Reading (AMR) beacon from a node at a first regular time interval, the AMR beacon containing a register identification (ID) and a reading detected by the node, and periodically listening, at the node, for a hail message such that instances of listening occur at a second regular time interval smaller than the first regular time interval. The node can also be configured to receive a mobile command from a mobile transceiver, as well as a Network System Status Request and a parent assignment command from a stationary transceiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing communications through a bridge between a gateway and a node in a long-range wireless wide area network include receiving at the bridge through a gateway a message with information for a node in accordance with a first communication protocol, identifying by the bridge the node to which the information is directed, and transmitting a message with at least a portion of the information to the identified node in accordance with a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting first hail messages from a first device at a first hailing rate, wherein a first time between beginnings of each consecutive first hail message is a first period, each first hail message transmitted for a first length of time, and a first gap extends between an end of each first hail message and a start of a next first hail message; listening at the first device for a second hail message repeatedly transmitted at a second hailing rate, wherein a second time between beginnings of each consecutive second hail message is a second period, each second hail message transmitted for a second length of time, and a second gap extends between an end of each second hail message and a start of a next second hail message; and performing, at the first device, a channel activity detection of a preamble in the second hail message.

Abstract: A pit antenna includes an inner tube defining a first inner tube end and a second inner tube end, the first inner tube end disposed opposite from the second inner tube end, the inner tube defining an inner tube bore extending inward from the first inner tube end toward the second inner tube end, the inner tube configured to electromagnetically couple energy from an antenna inserted into the inner tube bore; and a top disc, the top disc connected to the second inner tube end of the inner tube, the top disc configured to radiate energy electromagnetically coupled by the inner tube.

Abstract: A method includes periodically sending an Advanced Meter Reading (AMR) beacon from a node at a first regular time interval, the AMR beacon containing a register identification (ID) and a reading detected by the node, and periodically listening, at the node, for a hail message such that instances of listening occur at a second regular time interval smaller than the first regular time interval. The node can also be configured to receive a mobile command from a mobile transceiver, as well as a Network System Status Request and a parent assignment command from a stationary transceiver.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for time-synchronizing multiple remote network nodes concurrently with time beacons. A hub device in the network, at a preconfigured start time, begins to periodically broadcast time beacons containing current time values retrieved from an accurate time source over a beacon period, while other nodes of the network, at the same preconfigured start time, start listening for time beacons. When a node receives a time beacon broadcast by the hub device, the node sets a real-time clock of the node to the current time value in the received time beacon.

Abstract: A method of avoiding response signal collisions includes broadcasting a message from a broadcasting device to a plurality of downstream devices, the message containing timing instructions specifying a time at which each downstream device should send its response to the message after successfully receiving the message, and determining whether every downstream device targeted in the message successfully received the message.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing communications through a bridge between a gateway and a node in a long-range wireless wide area network include receiving at the bridge through a gateway a message with information for a node in accordance with a first communication protocol, identifying by the bridge the node to which the information is directed, and transmitting a message with at least a portion of the information to the identified node in accordance with a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A pit antenna includes an inner tube defining a first inner tube end and a second inner tube end, the first inner tube end disposed opposite from the second inner tube end, the inner tube defining an inner tube bore extending inward from the first inner tube end toward the second inner tube end, the inner tube configured to electromagnetically couple energy from an antenna inserted into the inner tube bore; and a top disc, the top disc connected to the second inner tube end of the inner tube, the top disc configured to radiate energy electromagnetically coupled by the inner tube.

Abstract: A method includes listening, at a mobile collector, for beacons from a plurality of nodes to locate and communicate with a targeted node, each beacon comprising a utility device identification (ID) and communication channel information; receiving, by the mobile collector, the beacon from the targeted node of the plurality of nodes; and determining, by the mobile collector, that the beacon was received from the targeted node based on the utility device ID included in the beacon.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing communications through a repeater between a gateway and a plurality of nodes in a long-range wireless wide area network include, in various independent aspects, joining the plurality of nodes to the network through the gateway by transmitting to a join server at least a portion of join request messages received from the plurality of nodes, receiving messages from the gateway and identifying associated nodes of the plurality of nodes to which those messages are then transmitted, and transmitting messages to the gateway with physical layer payloads corresponding to payloads of messages received from the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A pit antenna assembly includes a node, the node including an antenna, the antenna configured to radiate radio waves; an inner tube defining a first inner tube end and a second inner tube end, the first inner tube end disposed opposite from the second inner tube end, the inner tube defining an inner tube bore extending through the inner tube from the first inner tube end to the second inner tube end, the antenna received within the inner tube bore through the first inner tube end, the inner tube configured to electromagnetically couple energy from the antenna; and a top disc, the top disc connected to the second inner tube end of the inner tube, the top disc configured to radiate the energy from the antenna.

Abstract: A method includes sending, by a node, a beacon at a regular time interval, the beacon comprising at least an associated utility device identification (ID) and communication channel information; receiving, at the node, a message from a network device on the communication channel beginning within a time window after a defined delay after the beacon was sent; determining, by the node, if the message comprises the associated utility device ID; and initiating, by the node, temporary two-way communication by sending a response to the network device.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting first hail messages from a first device at a first hailing rate, wherein a first time between beginnings of each consecutive first hail message is a first period, each first hail message transmitted for a first length of time, and a first gap extends between an end of each first hail message and a start of a next first hail message; listening at the first device for a second hail message repeatedly transmitted at a second hailing rate, wherein a second time between beginnings of each consecutive second hail message is a second period, each second hail message transmitted for a second length of time, and a second gap extends between an end of each second hail message and a start of a next second hail message; and performing, at the first device, a channel activity detection of a preamble in the second hail message.

Abstract: A method of broadcasting firmware updating messages in a communication system includes the steps of receiving a broadcast remote firmware update (BRFU) setup message from an upstream source, the BRFU setup message specifying a number of transmissions of a broadcast of a firmware file; broadcasting setup information from the BRFU setup message on a first channel to downstream devices, the setup information specifying at least one other channel to which each downstream device should listen to receive a copy of the firmware file; and repeatedly broadcasting the firmware file to the downstream devices in accordance with the BRFU setup message.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting first hail messages from a first device at a first hailing rate, in which time between beginnings of each consecutive first hail message is a first period, each first hail message transmitted for a first length of time, and a first gap extends between an end of each first hail message and a start of a next first hail message; listening at the first device for a second hail message repeatedly transmitted at a second hailing rate, wherein a second time between beginnings of each consecutive second hail message is a second period, each second hail message transmitted for a second length of time, and a second gap extends between an end of each second hail message and a start of a next second hail message; and performing, at the first device, a channel activity detection of a preamble in the second hail message.

Abstract: A method includes periodically sending an Advanced Meter Reading (AMR) beacon from a node at a first regular time interval, the AMR beacon containing a register identification (ID) and a reading detected by the node, and periodically listening, at the node, for a hail message such that instances of listening occur at a second regular time interval smaller than the first regular time interval. The node can also be configured to receive a mobile command from a mobile transceiver, as well as a Network System Status Request and a parent assignment command from a stationary transceiver.