Abstract: A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having wireless meter reading nodes in communication with an access point. Each wireless meter reading node has an address associated therewith. The meter reading wireless mesh network is configured to establish a network address field for each wireless meter reading node based upon a length field and a value field of a respective address, and communicate within the wireless mesh network using the network address fields.

Abstract: A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having wireless meter reading nodes in communication with an access point. Each wireless meter reading node has an address associated therewith. The meter reading wireless mesh network is configured to define a given downstream route, from the access point to a given node via successive intermediate nodes, based upon addresses of the successive intermediate nodes and the given node. The respective address at each successive intermediate node is stripped while routing data along the given downstream route from the access point to the given node.

Abstract: A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having already-registered nodes already registered for communication with an access point, and not-yet-registered nodes not yet registered for communication with the access point. To register a new node with meter reading wireless mesh network, the new node transmits a request to register message. Neighboring already-registered nodes receiving the request to register message transmit responses back to the new node, whereas neighboring not-yet-registered nodes receiving the request to register message do not transmit responses back to the new node and do not transmit responses to neighboring already-registered nodes. The new node selects an already-registered node based on evaluation of the responses, and communicates to the access point via the selected already-registered node to thereby be added to network.

Abstract: A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having wireless meter reading nodes in communication with an access point. Each wireless meter reading node has an address associated therewith. The meter reading wireless mesh network is configured to establish a network address field for each wireless meter reading node based upon a length field and a value field of a respective address, and communicate within the wireless mesh network using the network address fields.

Abstract: A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having wireless meter reading nodes in communication with an access point. Each wireless meter reading node has an address associated therewith. The meter reading wireless mesh network is configured to define a given downstream route, from the access point to a given node via successive intermediate nodes, based upon addresses of the successive intermediate nodes and the given node. The respective address at each successive intermediate node is stripped while routing data along the given downstream route from the access point to the given node.

Abstract: A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having already-registered nodes already registered for communication with an access point, and not-yet-registered nodes not yet registered for communication with the access point. To register a new node with meter reading wireless mesh network, the new node transmits a request to register message. Neighboring already-registered nodes receiving the request to register message transmit responses back to the new node, whereas neighboring not-yet-registered nodes receiving the request to register message do not transmit responses back to the new node and do not transmit responses to neighboring already-registered nodes. The new node selects an already-registered node based on evaluation of the responses, and communicates to the access point via the selected already-registered node to thereby be added to network.

Abstract: The antenna assembly is circularly polarized and may be able to receive multiple independent signals. The antenna assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive layers arranged about an axis to define a series of adjacent corner reflectors (e.g. four to eight corner reflectors), and a plurality of spiral antenna elements. Each spiral antenna element extends across a respective open end of a corresponding corner reflector. Each corner reflector may have an equal corner angle, and each spiral antenna element may be a bifilar spiral antenna element and/or a log spiral antenna element. A housing may contain the corner reflectors and the spiral antenna elements. Electronic circuitry may be coupled to the plurality of spiral antenna elements and contained within the housing. The antenna is preferential for television reception on multiple channels and directions without consumer adjustment, as the antenna provides spatial, angular and frequency diversity through simultaneous overlapping beams.

Abstract: The antenna assembly is circularly polarized and may be able to receive multiple independent signals. The antenna assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive layers arranged about an axis to define a series of adjacent corner reflectors (e.g. four to eight corner reflectors), and a plurality of spiral antenna elements. Each spiral antenna element extends across a respective open end of a corresponding corner reflector. Each corner reflector may have an equal corner angle, and each spiral antenna element may be a bifilar spiral antenna element and/or a log spiral antenna element. A housing may contain the corner reflectors and the spiral antenna elements. Electronic circuitry may be coupled to the plurality of spiral antenna elements and contained within the housing. The antenna is preferential for television reception on multiple channels and directions without consumer adjustment, as the antenna provides spatial, angular and frequency diversity through simultaneous overlapping beams.

Abstract: A repeatered, multichannel fiber optic communication network includes a plurality of full duplex fiber optic channels and one or more auxiliary channels. In order to supervise and control the operation of the network, for both data transmission and fault/maintenance actions, each terminal station contains a processor-based subsystem capable of network monitoring, first level maintenance action, fault isolation, and remote network control and status reporting. This processor-based subsystem interfaces with each fiber optic channel, with an orderwire communication link, and with external input/output devices and surveillance equipment. Three substantially autonomous processor-based sections which are dedicated to performing specific functions within the overall network operation are employed for carrying out these separate interfacing tasks.

Abstract: An orderwire scheme for a multichannel repeated communication network contains an auxiliary communication link that is coupled to communication sites along the network and is configured of a pair of orderwire links each formed of a conventional interstitial copper wire pair. To carry out supervisory functions with respect to each of the stations along the communication link, messages are conveyed from a control facility coupled to or as part of the network to respective stations along the link in the form of command instructions. These messages may contain a request for information from the addressed site as to equipment conditions at the site or a directive that the equipment at the site perform a particular task. In reply to the command message sent to it the addressed site returns a response message back to the control facility representative of the action taken including any data requested by the instructions.

Abstract: An orderwire communication scheme for a fiber optic communication network includes terminal station equipment associated with the central offices at opposite ends of the network and signal regenerator equipment at the repeater sites disposed between the terminal stations. The communication format along the link is a data-over-voice scheme, the data being digitally encoded on an FSK modulated carrier. In carrying out supervisory functions with respect to each of the stations along the link, command messages are conveyed from the terminal stations at one of the central offices to respective stations along the link in the form of command instructions. Each command message from a central office's terminal station contains the address of the recipient station for whom the message is intended followed by a specific encoded instruction.