Abstract: A system detects when sensors have become detached from equipment being monitored by the sensors. At least one sensor, such as a temperature sensor or an accelerometer, is mounted or otherwise positioned on equipment for monitoring operation of the equipment, and the sensor is coupled to a controller that may be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor. Based on the sensor data or otherwise, the controller is configured to detect when the sensor has become inadvertently detached from the equipment being monitored and notifies a user in response to such detection. The user may then take corrective action, such as reattaching the sensor to the equipment or replacing the sensor. Thus, detachment of the sensor from the equipment being monitored may be quickly detected and remedied, thereby reducing the amount of time that a sensor is unknowingly providing inaccurate information about the operation of the equipment.

Abstract: A mobile device connected to a wireless sensor network may receive a script update in a series of transmissions from a network management device, the transmissions being broken up over an extended period of time. The transmissions may be as small as one or several packets that make up a portion of the script. Each transmission is sent and received in coordination with a predetermined active cycle of the mobile device, i.e., during the normal mode of operation for the mobile device. A device may transition from a low-power (sleep) state to an active (awake) state to perform its routine functions. During this active time, a network management device sends a message to the mobile device indicating the availability of a script update. The mobile device, in response, transmits to the network management device a requested amount of update data it wishes to receive during this period of activity.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A wireless network has a transmitting node that can send a multicast message over the wireless network to a plurality of receiving nodes. Each of the receiving nodes, on receipt of the multicast message, can estimate, based on the receipt of the multicast message, a distance between the transmitting node and the receiving node. If the distance is within a certain distance range from the transmitting node, the receiving node implements a delay of a predetermined amount of time before retransmitting the message to its neighboring nodes. If the distance is beyond that range, the message is retransmitted without delay. All nodes within the distance range implement the same delay before retransmission, however, they may also implement an additional, randomized delay to allow nodes to transmit in several discrete time slots, thereby avoiding or minimizing data collisions with other nodes' transmissions of the message.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A wireless network can perform a topological mapping through its gateway, which sends a multicast message over the wireless network to every node of a network. Each of the nodes on the network, on receipt of the multicast message, can transmit a one-hop multicast message containing a topological ping to its neighboring nodes. A neighboring node receiving a topological ping will store information relating to the link quality between the sender and neighboring nodes. After network traffic related to the topology discovery has quieted, the neighboring nodes sends the stored information to the gateway, without any processing by the node which sent the topological ping. All nodes may also implement a randomized delay both before sending the topological ping, and/or before sending the stored information to the gateway, to minimize the opportunity for data collision of messages relating to topological discovery.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A switching circuit with switches between a charging path and a low-impedance active path. The charging path comprises a zener diode substantially in parallel with a charging capacitor. Current flows through the charging path when the circuit is powered on and a power supply charges the charging capacitor while current flows through the charging path. The low-impedance bypass path comprises a switch that remains closed until a voltage across the charging capacitor exceeds a threshold voltage. The switch opens when the charging capacitor exceeds the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a node management device for a node of a wireless network are provided. The node can receive advertisements from two or more node management devices communicatively coupled to the node over a predetermined time period. Upon the expiration of the predetermined time period, the node can select a node management device based on the number of advertisements received from that node management device. The node can then link to the selected node management device and use that node management device for communications. The node can also continue to monitor for advertisements from the node management devices and can decide to select a different node management device based on the number of advertisements received from the other node management devices.

Abstract: A system for detecting arc faults in a solar array generally comprises a plurality of solar panels connected in series, where each solar panel comprises a positive and negative output. A panel monitoring device is connected between the positive and negative output of each solar panel. The panel monitoring device comprises a switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The panel monitoring device comprises logic configured to scan a frequency spectrum of the solar panel and log locations of a plurality of valleys in the spectrum, monitor the plurality of valleys to determine if the plurality of valleys rise above a threshold value, report a fault status when the plurality of valleys rise above the threshold value, and automatically disable the output of the solar panel upon the determination of a fault status.

Abstract: In a system and method for upgrading software in a wireless mesh network, a first node in the network sends a first multicast request to a plurality of other nodes in the network that are in radio range of the first node. The first multicast request queries whether the other nodes are running a software version older than the software version and device type currently running in the first node. The first node then selects a node to upgrade and sends a request asking if any other nodes have already claimed that node. The first node then updates the nodes only if they have not been claimed for update by another node. In upgrading the claimed nodes, the first node copies to the claimed nodes the software it is currently executing in its internal flash memory thereby creating a clone, and does not store any additional copies of the updated software.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: In a system and method for upgrading software in a wireless mesh network, a first node in the network sends a first multicast request to a plurality of other nodes in the network that are in radio range of the first node. The first multicast request queries whether the other nodes are running a software version older than the software version and device type currently running in the first node. The first node then selects a node to upgrade and sends a request asking if any other nodes have already claimed that node. The first node then updates the nodes only if they have not been claimed for update by another node. In upgrading the claimed nodes, the first node copies to the claimed nodes the software it is currently executing in its internal flash memory thereby creating a clone, and does not store any additional copies of the updated software.