Abstract: A small cell access node is configured for mounting in an elevated or aerial location, such as on a streetlight. In one exemplary embodiment, the small cell access node includes a housing and at least one electrical module. The housing includes an electrically conductive lower housing member and an electrically non-conductive sidewall housing member, which may be secured around at least part of the lower housing member. The at least one electrical module is positioned in a volume defined by the housing and includes a shielded enclosure that is electrically coupled to the lower housing member. In one embodiment, the lower housing member and the shielded enclosure are electrically grounded. The small cell access node may further include an electrical interface connector that receives electrical power from an external power source and provides the electrical power into the housing for use by the at least one electrical module.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for detecting a fault in a power transmission system containing multiple distribution transformers configured in a loop may include a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor may be positioned to concurrently sense a primary input current to and a primary output current from a distribution transformer. The processor(s) receives a signal representing an output of the current sensor, determines a value representing a current flowing in a primary winding of the distribution transformer based on the received signal (e.g., the differential current value), and generates an alert when the determined value is outside a desired range of values. A current sensor and a processor may be installed at each distribution transformer in the power transmission system to enable a remote server to directly monitor the primary winding currents of all the distribution transformers in the system to identify any faulty transformer(s).

Abstract: A system for detecting a fault in a distribution transformer of a power transmission system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor may be positioned to sense a primary output current or a secondary output current flowing from the distribution transformer. The processor may be programmed or otherwise operable to receive an output of the current sensor over time, generate a time-varying output signal representing the received output of the current sensor, compare the time-varying output signal to one or more transformer fault profiles to produce a fault analysis, and generate a fault alert when the fault analysis indicates a transformer fault condition. The current sensor may be positioned around a primary output terminal or a secondary output terminal of the distribution transformer, as applicable, to respectively sense either the primary output current or the secondary output current flowing from the distribution transformer.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for detecting a fault in a power transmission system containing multiple distribution transformers configured in a loop may include multiple current sensors and at least one processor. A first current sensor may be positioned to sense a primary input current to a distribution transformer and a second current sensor may be positioned to sense a primary output current of the distribution transformer. The processor(s) receives signals representing outputs of the current sensors, determines a value representing a current flowing in a primary winding of the distribution transformer based on the received signals (e.g., the difference between the currents sensed by the first and second current sensors), and generates an alert when the determined value is outside a desired range of values. Current sensors may be installed to monitor at least the primary inputs of all distribution transformers configured in the loop to identify faulty transformer(s).

Abstract: A distribution transformer system includes a distribution transformer and a distribution transformer monitoring device (DTM). The DTM includes an optical sensor operable to generate an output signal (e.g., an output voltage) in response to incident light, a communication interface, non-transitory memory storing processor-executable instructions, and a processor operably coupled to the optical sensor, the communication interface, and the memory. The processor is operable in accordance with the processor-executable instructions to, among other things, determine whether the output signal generated by the optical sensor substantially corresponds to one of multiple stored data signatures representing light producing events (such as arcing, fire, or the presence of unexpected ambient light) and, when such criterion is met, communicate an alert to a remote computing device via the communication interface. The distribution transformer may be pad-mountable, aerially mountable (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and at least one heat-generating electrical module. The housing includes a floor and at least one sidewall portion extending around the floor's perimeter. The sidewall portion(s) includes an air intake section located at a first end of the floor and a first air exhaust section located at a second end of the floor. The floor includes two noncoplanar floor portions and a transition portion interconnecting them. The transition portion, which may be angled, includes a second air exhaust section. The heat-generating module(s) are positioned over and spaced apart from the floor. At least one air flow channel is defined between inside surfaces of the floor and external surfaces of the heat-generating module(s). The apparatus may also include one or more fans that draw air in through the air intake section and force air through the air flow channel(s) and out the air exhaust sections.

Abstract: An antenna for a smart sensor device includes a generally circular, substantially rigid substrate and a radiative antenna element integrated with the substrate. According to one embodiment, the antenna element is a primary cellular antenna arranged to pass signals at frequencies between 600 MHz and 3 GHz. According to another embodiment, a second radiative antenna element may be integrated with the substrate. In such a case, the second antenna element may be arranged to receive location-based signals from satellites or operate as a cellular diversity antenna arranged to receive cellular signals present in proximity to the antenna. The substrate may include at least one interruption (e.g., aperture or lens) arranged to permit light to reach an area inside the sensor device that would otherwise be shielded by the substrate. In such a case, the radiative antenna element(s) may be integrated with the substrate so as to avoid the interruption.

Abstract: A small cell access node is configured for mounting in an elevated or aerial location, such as on a streetlight. In one exemplary embodiment, the small cell access node includes a housing, at least one electrical module, and an electrical interface connector. The housing includes an electrically conductive lower housing member having a floor portion and an electrically non-conductive sidewall housing member secured along a first edge thereof around at least part of a periphery of the floor portion. The at least one electrical module is positioned in a volume defined by at least the lower housing member and the sidewall housing member. The at least one electrical module includes a shielded enclosure, which is electrically coupled to the lower housing member. The electrical interface connector passes through the lower housing member and supplies electrical power received from an external power source to the at least one electrical module.

Abstract: A wireless communication node employs a method for configuring its donor and service antennas at or after node installation. The antennas are positioned in a predetermined arrangement about a central axis. The node includes the antennas, an actuator, one or more processors, and a memory storing processor-executable instructions for the processor(s). Responsive to the stored instructions, the processor processes wireless signals received by the donor antenna and communicates control signals to the actuator to rotate the donor and service antennas as a group about the central axis. Rotation may be incremental based on whether the donor antenna received an acceptable base station signal at a previous angular displacement increment or may be comprehensive to permit receipt of candidate base station data for a predetermined amount of rotation. After an acceptable base station is identified, the donor antenna's beam pattern may be formed in a direction of the identified base station.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, at least one heat-generating electrical module, and at least one fan. The housing includes a floor and at least one sidewall extending around the floor's perimeter. A first sidewall end section defines an air intake port and a second sidewall end section defines a first air exhaust port. The floor includes two noncoplanar floor portions and a transition portion interconnecting them. The transition portion defines a second air exhaust port. The heat-generating module(s) are positioned over the floor portions. Inside surfaces of the floor portions together with external surfaces of the heat-generating module(s) define at least one air flow channel therebetween. The fan or fans are positioned proximate the air intake port and operable to draw air into the housing through the intake port. The fan or fans force the indrawn air through the air flow channel(s) and out the air exhaust ports.

Abstract: A small cell access node is configured for mounting in an elevated or aerial location, such as on a streetlight. In one exemplary embodiment, the small cell access node includes a housing, at least one electrical module, and an electrical interface connector. The housing includes an electrically conductive lower housing member having a floor portion and an electrically nonconductive sidewall housing member secured along a first edge thereof around at least part of a periphery of the floor portion. The at least one electrical module is positioned in a volume defined by at least the lower housing member and the sidewall housing member. The at least one electrical module includes a shielded enclosure, which is electrically coupled to the lower housing member. The electrical interface connector passes through the lower housing member and supplies electrical power received from an external power source to the at least one electrical module.

Abstract: A small cell access node includes a housing, a radio module, a power supply module, and one or more antennas coupled to the radio module. The housing includes a floor and at least one sidewall extending around a perimeter of the floor. An air intake section of the sidewall is located at a first lengthwise end of the floor and defines an air intake port. An air exhaust section of the sidewall is located at a second lengthwise end of the floor and defines an air exhaust port. The floor includes a two floor portions residing primarily in different planes and an angled transition portion interconnecting the two floor portions. The transition portion defines an air and water exhaust port to allow water that enters the housing through the air intake and air exhaust ports, such as from wind-driven rain, to drain out of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, at least one heat-generating electrical module, and at least one fan. The housing includes a floor and at least one sidewall extending around the floor's perimeter. A first sidewall end section defines an air intake port and a second sidewall end section defines a first air exhaust port. The floor includes two noncoplanar floor portions and a transition portion interconnecting them. The transition portion defines a second air exhaust port. The heat-generating module(s) are positioned over the floor portions. Inside surfaces of the floor portions together with external surfaces of the heat-generating module(s) define at least one air flow channel therebetween. The fan or fans are positioned proximate the air intake port and operable to draw air into the housing through the intake port. The fan or fans force the indrawn air through the air flow channel(s) and out the air exhaust ports.

Abstract: A vertically oriented, electrically conductive enclosure includes at least three shield members. A first member has a first floor and a first sidewall that extends away from the first floor around a periphery of the first shield floor. A second member is electrically coupled to the first member and has a second floor and a second sidewall. A first portion of the second sidewall extends away from the second floor in a first direction. A second portion of the second sidewall extends away from the second floor in a second direction opposite to the first direction and engages the first sidewall. A third member is electrically coupled to the second member and has a shield cover and a third sidewall. The third sidewall extends away from the shield cover about a periphery of the shield cover and engages the first portion of the second sidewall.

Abstract: An antenna for a smart sensor device includes a generally circular, substantially rigid substrate and a radiative antenna element integrated with the substrate. According to one embodiment, the antenna element is a primary cellular antenna arranged to pass signals at frequencies between 600 MHz and 3 GHz. According to another embodiment, a second radiative antenna element may be integrated with the substrate. In such a case, the second antenna element may be arranged to receive location-based signals from satellites or operate as a cellular diversity antenna arranged to receive cellular signals present in proximity to the antenna. The substrate may include at least one interruption (e.g., aperture or lens) arranged to permit light to reach an area inside the sensor device that would otherwise be shielded by the substrate. In such a case, the radiative antenna element(s) may be integrated with the substrate so as to avoid the interruption.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a housing, a substrate positioned within the housing, at least one radiative antenna element positioned upon a first surface of the substrate, and a processing section positioned in a stacked arrangement with the substrate, opposite a second surface of the substrate. The substrate includes at least one interruption configured to allow light entering the housing to pass through the substrate from the first surface through the second surface. The antenna elements(s) is positioned upon the substrate so as to avoid the interruption(s). The processing section includes light-responsive circuitry and is configured such that the circuitry is positioned so as to receive light entering the housing through the at least one aperture. The substrate may be generally circular, substantially rigid, have a substantially certain radius between about three-fourths inch and about four inches, and have a substantially certain thickness between about 0.05 inches and about one-half inch.

Abstract: An autonomous placement device for securing an electronic device to and/or removing an electronic device from an object (such as, for example, a utility pole or a streetlight luminaire optionally forming a part thereof) includes a repository and a remove-and-place system. The repository is arranged to store at least one electronic device. The remove-and-place system is operable, in one embodiment, to retrieve an electronic device from the repository and, after the autonomous placement device has been positioned proximate an aerial placement position, secure the electronic device to the object at the aerial placement position. The autonomous placement device may further include a guidance system operable to locate the aerial placement position prior to aerial positioning. The autonomous placement device may form part of a system, which also includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a payload coupling system that mechanically couples the autonomous placement device to the UAV.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable to a streetlight luminaire includes a housing, an electrical connector, power conversion circuitry, and an output power interface. The housing has a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall interconnecting the top and bottom surfaces. The electrical connector is integrated with the bottom surface of the housing and electromechanically connectable to a top-side electrical connector of the streetlight luminaire. The power conversion circuitry is operable to receive an input alternating current (AC) signal from the electrical connector and produce at least one output AC signal, wherein an average voltage of each output AC signal is less than an average voltage of the input AC signal. The output power interface is electrically coupled to the power conversion circuitry and integrated with the sidewall(s) of the housing. The output power interface is arranged to provide the output AC signal(s) for use external to the housing.

Abstract: A digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) controlled device is arranged to communicate information according to a DALI protocol and powered by electrically coupling the controlled device to a DALI bus. The DALI bus is monitored for initiation of a DALI communication sequence. During a period of non-communication on the DALI bus, a high-current power supply is electrically coupled to the controlled device via the DALI bus. The high-current power supply provides a first high-current power signal to the controlled device. Upon detection of any DALI communication sequence on the DALI bus, the high-current power supply is electrically de-coupled from the controlled device for a determined time period. During the determined time period, a storage element is electrically coupled to the controlled device. The storage element provides a second high-current power signal to the controlled device.

Abstract: A processor-based device includes a chassis having a chassis ground node that is arranged to electrically couple the chassis to an earth ground. The device also includes a connector accessible from an exterior of the chassis. The connector conforms to a standardized powerline interface having a hot power signal, a load power signal, and a neutral power signal. A processor-based apparatus housed at least in part within the chassis is arranged to operate using DC power derived from AC power present at the powerline interface. A stray voltage detector is arranged to detect a stray voltage potential existing between the neutral power signal of the standardized powerline interface and the chassis ground node, and the processor-based device is arranged to communicate at least one indication of the detected stray voltage potential.