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 method for managing radio transmission in an endpoint device in a network includes: receiving, at a first endpoint device, a message requesting wake up of the first endpoint device; establishing a connection between the first endpoint device to a second endpoint device connected to the network; determining, at the first endpoint device, whether a secure command is received from the second endpoint device via the established connection within a predetermined period of time; and based on the received secure command, establishing a connection between the first endpoint device and the network via radio transmission, wherein the first endpoint device is configured to turn off radio transmission if the secure command is not received within the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for convergence and automatic disabling of access points in a wireless mesh network. Specifically, an access point within a wireless mesh network computes one or more network metrics to determine whether the metrics are unfavorable or favorable. If the network metrics are favorable, then the access point disables the access point's network connection. An access point turns the network connection back on based on whether a routing was lost for at least a preset amount of time, utilization of one or more neighboring access points is above a preset value, or one or more network metrics have degraded by a certain percentage value. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings may be achieved when the number of access points dynamically changes to accommodate varying communications conditions.

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 method for managing radio transmission in an endpoint device in a network includes: receiving, at a first endpoint device, a message requesting wake up of the first endpoint device; establishing a connection between the first endpoint device to a second endpoint device connected to the network; determining, at the first endpoint device, whether a secure command is received from the second endpoint device via the established connection within a predetermined period of time; and based on the received secure command, establishing a connection between the first endpoint device and the network via radio transmission, wherein the first endpoint device is configured to turn off radio transmission if the secure command is not received within the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method for controlling a light source associated with an environment includes: receiving, over a wireless mesh network and by a control node corresponding to the light source, a first light intensity value for the environment from a first sensor node; calculating, by the control node, a resulting light intensity (RLI) value based on the first intensity value; determining, by the control node, that the RLI value exceeds a light intensity threshold; and modifying, by the control node and in response to determining the RLI value exceeds the light intensity threshold, an output of the first light source.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for convergence and automatic disabling of access points in a wireless mesh network. Specifically, an access point within a wireless mesh network computes one or more network metrics to determine whether the metrics are unfavorable or favorable. If the network metrics are favorable, then the access point disables the access point's network connection. An access point turns the network connection back on based on whether a routing was lost for at least a preset amount of time, utilization of one or more neighboring access points is above a preset value, or one or more network metrics have degraded by a certain percentage value. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings may be achieved when the number of access points dynamically changes to accommodate varying communications conditions.

Abstract: The service phase of the electrical connection to a customer endpoint device located within a power distribution system is determined by various techniques. At the feeder level, the system may be programmed to induce disturbances, thereby causing missed zero crossings at the customer endpoint devices. The pattern of these disturbances is a controlled one, designed specifically to avoid causing noticeable disruption even to sensitive devices, but to be unusual enough that it is statistically unlikely to be naturally occurring. The monitoring of the zero crossing information is used to determine the phase of the service line to the customer endpoint devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting device failures in a network having nodes coupled to a central controller, in which a first of the nodes communicates with the central controller via a second of the nodes. When the second node determines that the first node has not transmitted a predetermined number of messages over a predefined number of time periods, the second node provides a failure alert to the central controller. The central controller records a failure alert received from the second node in a log. Based on a set of failure alerts received from a number of nodes recorded in the log, the central controller determines whether the first node has failed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a wireless network, when a node joins the network and receives a routing advertisement, such a node transmits the routing advertisement to all its neighbors. The node then receives transmission from the neighboring nodes indicating interest in joining the advertised network. If more than a threshold number of neighboring nodes are interested in the advertised route, the newly joining node inserts the route advertisement in a beacon transmission. If there is not a threshold level of interest, the node unicasts only to the neighbors who indicated interest in the advertised network. In an embodiment, the node repeats the above steps on a predetermined time basis (e.g., one per day) in order to determine interest in the advertised route that may have newly arisen.

Abstract: A method for controlling a light source associated with an environment includes: receiving, over a wireless mesh network and by a control node corresponding to the light source, a first light intensity value for the environment from a first sensor node; calculating, by the control node, a resulting light intensity (RLI) value based on the first intensity value; determining, by the control node, that the RLI value exceeds a light intensity threshold; and modifying, by the control node and in response to determining the RLI value exceeds the light intensity threshold, an output of the first light source.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for convergence and automatic disabling of access points in a wireless mesh network. Specifically, an access point within a wireless mesh network computes one or more network metrics to determine whether the metrics are unfavorable or favorable. If the network metrics are favorable, then the access point disables the access point's network connection. An access point turns the network connection back on based on whether a routing was lost for at least a preset amount of time, utilization of one or more neighboring access points is above a preset value, or one or more network metrics have degraded by a certain percentage value. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings may be achieved when the number of access points dynamically changes to accommodate varying communications conditions.

Abstract: A node within a wireless mesh network performs a path analysis on an advertised path to an access point that has a cost value less than the cost value of the current primary path to the access point. Depending on the cost value difference between the respective cost values of the advertised path and the current primary path, the node may perform a different type of path analysis. Based on the result of that path analysis, the node may change paths to the access point and use the advertised path as the primary path. Further, the node maintains a secondary path so that, in the event that the primary path fails, the node can default to using the secondary path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting device failures in a network having nodes coupled to a central controller, in which a first of the nodes communicates with the central controller via a second of the nodes. When the second node determines that the first node has not transmitted a predetermined number of messages over a predefined number of time periods, the second node provides a failure alert to the central controller. The central controller records a failure alert received from the second node in a log. Based on a set of failure alerts received from a number of nodes recorded in the log, the central controller determines whether the first node has failed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for a node within a network to adjust one or more routing parameters based on certain network parameters. A node monitors certain network metrics such as the mean time between routing drops. In response to changes in these network parameters, the node changes certain routing parameters, such as the holddown time. The node may store network metrics and associated routing parameters that result in preferred network operating conditions. The node may pre-load these beneficial settings upon the occurrence of a particular condition such as a system reset of the node. Moreover, a node may share these beneficial settings with neighboring nodes on the same network. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings are achieved when a node within a network may be installed without preconfiguring the node with specific routing parameters.

Abstract: A communication device detects whether anomalous events occur with respect to at least one node in a utility network. The communication device has recorded therein threshold operating information and situational operating information. The threshold operating information includes data indicative of configured acceptable operating parameters of nodes in the network based on respective locational information of the nodes. The situational information includes data indicative of configured operation data expected to be received from nodes in the network during a predetermined time period, based on a condition and/or event occurring during the time period. The communication device receives operation data from nodes in the network, and determines whether the operation data from a node constitutes an anomalous event based on a comparison of the received operation data with (i) the threshold operating information defined for the node and (ii) the situational information.

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: The invention relates to a method for controlling thermal properties of a node. The method steps include calculating, using a temperature reading, a transmission duty cycle of the node, calculating a data amount capable of being transmitted with the transmission duty cycle, and transmitting, from a network interface of the node, a plurality of available data at a rate less than the data amount based on a priority of the plurality of available data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting device failures in a network having nodes coupled to a central controller, in which a first of the nodes communicates with the central controller via a second of the nodes. When the second node determines that the first node has not transmitted a predetermined number of messages over a predefined number of time periods, the second node provides a failure alert to the central controller. The central controller records a failure alert received from the second node in a log. Based on a set of failure alerts received from a number of nodes recorded in the log, the central controller determines whether the first node has failed.

Abstract: A communication device detects whether anomalous events occur with respect to at least one node in a utility network. The communication device has recorded therein threshold operating information and situational operating information. The threshold operating information includes data indicative of configured acceptable operating parameters of nodes in the network based on respective locational information of the nodes. The situational information includes data indicative of configured operation data expected to be received from nodes in the network during a predetermined time period, based on a condition and/or event occurring during the time period. The communication device receives operation data from nodes in the network, and determines whether the operation data from a node constitutes an anomalous event based on a comparison of the received operation data with (i) the threshold operating information defined for the node and (ii) the situational information.