Abstract: A wireless communication link management method includes sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device (7) to the data collection unit (5) via a primary channel. After sending, the measuring device provides a time-limited primary access opportunity (AO) for receiving a link management downlink frame. A primary signal quality is evaluated. A secondary uplink frame is sent from the measuring device via a secondary channel. A time-limited secondary access opportunity for receiving a link management downlink frame is provided. Secondary signal qualities are evaluated. One among the primary access opportunity and the secondary access opportunities is selected for sending a link management downlink frame from the data collection unit to the measuring device depending on the signal qualities. The associated channel is used as the primary channel for sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device to the data collection unit.

Abstract: A method provides link management for wireless communication between measuring devices (7), installed to measure or detect a value at a utility installation, and a collection unit (5), collecting data from the measuring devices. Uplink data frames are sent from a measuring device to the data collection unit. Some of the uplink data frames are provide a time-limited access opportunity (AO) for receiving downlink frames from the data collection unit. A counter value (FC) in the measuring device is updated by adjusting the counter value for each non-used or unsuccessfully used access opportunity. An urgency indicator is transmitted to the data collection unit by at least some of the uplink data frames that provide an access opportunity. The urgency indicator depends on the counter value. Downlink frames are sent from the data collection unit to the measuring device according to a prioritization scheme, based on the urgency indicator.

Abstract: A method for detecting a constant envelope burst-mode radio frequency (RF) signal with a known periodic synchronization sequence (PSS) represented therein includes transforming an incoming RF signal into a digital baseband signal (DBS), and processing the phase domain part by: 1) applying a correlation algorithm to correlate the DBS with a synchronization pattern corresponding to the PSS, 2) filtering the resulting correlation signal for removing at least a DC component of the correlation signal, 3) down-sampling the filtered correlation signal with a sampling time controlled by a clock aligned with amplitude peaks in the filtered correlation signal, 4) performing a decision algorithm on the down-sampled signal to determine if PSS is present in the incoming RF signal, then 5) generating an output signal indicating if the known PSS is present in the incoming RF signal, in response to a result of the decision algorithm.

Abstract: A method for detecting a constant envelope burst-mode radio frequency (RF) signal with a known periodic synchronization sequence (PSS) represented therein, e.g. to be for reading of data from utility meters. An incoming RF signal is transformed into a digital baseband signal (DBS), and the phase domain part is processed by: 1) applying a correlation algorithm to correlate the DBS with a synchronization pattern corresponding to the PSS. 2) filtering the resulting correlation signal for removing at least a DC component of the correlation signal. 3) down-sampling the filtered correlation signal (or the correlation signal) with a sampling time controlled by a clock aligned with amplitude peaks in the filtered correlation signal (or the correlation signal). 4) performing a decision algorithm on the down-sampled signal to determine if PSS is present in the incoming RF signal.

Abstract: A wireless communication link management method includes sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device (7) to the data collection unit (5) via a primary channel. After sending, the measuring device provides a time-limited primary access opportunity (AO) for receiving a link management downlink frame. A primary signal quality is evaluated. A secondary uplink frame is sent from the measuring device via a secondary channel. A time-limited secondary access opportunity for receiving a link management downlink frame is provided. Secondary signal qualities are evaluated. One among the primary access opportunity and the secondary access opportunities is selected for sending a link management downlink frame from the data collection unit to the measuring device depending on the signal qualities. The associated channel is used as the primary channel for sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device to the data collection unit.