Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adapting wireless sensor network device operation to ambient RF noise. An example embodiment includes: initializing a noise threshold value to a default value; detecting an ambient RF noise level on a plurality of channels of a wireless network device; if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is above the noise threshold value, adjusting the noise threshold value by an increment and retesting the ambient RF noise level on the plurality of channels; if the noise threshold value exceeds a pre-determined maximum noise threshold value, suspending data communications by the wireless network device; and if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is below the noise threshold value, retaining the noise threshold value and enabling data communications by the wireless network device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for admitting new devices in a self-healing, self-organizing mesh network. An example embodiment is configured to listen on a dynamically-determined frequency for the network management message; to send jamming messages to neighbor nodes in the wireless mesh network, if the network management message is not received; to receive the network management message from a neighbor node in response to the jamming messages; to synchronize a node timer to the received network management message; and to begin data communications with neighbor sensors using the synchronized node timer.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for instrumenting devices to measure power usage using a multi-tier wireless network. An example embodiment includes: establishing communication with a plurality of networked power monitors deployed at particular points in a facility, each power monitor of the plurality of networked power monitors being configured to monitor power consumption of a different one of a plurality of electronic devices in the facility; periodically obtaining system data from each of the plurality of networked power monitors using a wireless sensor network, the system data including power consumption data corresponding to associated electronic devices; using a communication hub to aggregate the system data from a plurality of associated power monitors, the communication hub and the plurality of associated power monitors forming a local network within the wireless sensor network; and using the system data to control operation of the plurality of electronic devices in the facility.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for establishing data communication in a time-synchronized mesh wireless network during time synchronization failures. An example embodiment includes experiencing circumstances adversely affecting synchronization of data communications between wireless network nodes; transitioning to an alert mode wherein a radio of a wireless network node is activated for a longer period of time relative to a normal operating mode; sending a message to at least one neighbor node; listening for a response from the neighbor node; and establishing data communications with the neighbor node upon receiving the response.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for managing packet routing through internally-powered network devices in wireless sensor networks. An example embodiment includes a hybrid network having an externally-powered node and an internally-powered node, the method includes configuring a role that the internally-powered node will take during an operations phase of the hybrid network, the role including whether the internally-powered node will act as a router or a non-router; demoting the internally-powered node to a non-router role if the internally-powered node is not needed for routing; and promoting the internally-powered node to a router role if the internally-powered node is needed for routing.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adaptive channel hopping in a mesh network. An example embodiment is configured to divide a time period into a plurality of frames; subdivide each of the plurality of frames into a plurality of slots, each of the plurality of slots providing a time segment for local data communication between nodes in a mesh network; enable a first node to dynamically assign itself a first channel for local data communication, the first node using the first channel to receive data communications destined for the first node; and communicate to other nodes of the mesh network information indicative of the first node's dynamic assignment of the first channel.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adapting wireless sensor network device operation to ambient RF noise. An example embodiment includes: initializing a noise threshold value to a default value; detecting an ambient RF noise level on a plurality of channels of a wireless network device; if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is above the noise threshold value, adjusting the noise threshold value by an increment and retesting the ambient RF noise level on the plurality of channels; if the noise threshold value exceeds a pre-determined maximum noise threshold value, suspending data communications by the wireless network device; and if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is below the noise threshold value, retaining the noise threshold value and enabling data communications by the wireless network device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for establishing data communication in a time-synchronized mesh wireless network during time synchronization failures. An example embodiment includes experiencing circumstances adversely affecting synchronization of data communications between wireless network nodes; transitioning to an alert mode wherein a radio of a wireless network node is activated for a longer period of time relative to a normal operating mode; sending a message to at least one neighbor node; listening for a response from the neighbor node; and establishing data communications with the neighbor node upon receiving the response.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for managing packet routing through internally-powered network devices in wireless sensor networks. An example embodiment includes a hybrid network having an externally-powered node and an internally-powered node, the method includes configuring a role that the internally-powered node will take during an operations phase of the hybrid network, the role including whether the internally-powered node will act as a router or a non-router; demoting the internally-powered node to a non-router role if the internally-powered node is not needed for routing; and promoting the internally-powered node to a router role if the internally-powered node is needed for routing.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for admitting new devices in a self-healing, self-organizing mesh network. An example embodiment is configured to listen on a dynamically-determined frequency for the network management message; to send jamming messages to neighbor nodes in the wireless mesh network, if the network management message is not received; to receive the network management message from a neighbor node in response to the jamming messages; to synchronize a node timer to the received network management message; and to begin data communications with neighbor sensors using the synchronized node timer.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adaptive channel hopping in a mesh network. An example embodiment is configured to divide a time period into a plurality of frames; subdivide each of the plurality of frames into a plurality of slots, each of the plurality of slots providing a time segment for local data communication between nodes in a mesh network; enable a first node to dynamically assign itself a first channel for local data communication, the first node using the first channel to receive data communications destined for the first node; and communicate to other nodes of the mesh network information indicative of the first node's dynamic assignment of the first channel.

Abstract: A method and circuit for frequency synthesis using a low drift current controlled oscillator configured to provide a wide output frequency and high accuracy are provided. An exemplary frequency synthesis circuit is configured for programmable control of a center frequency of the current controlled oscillator to provide a wide range of output frequencies with high accuracy. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an exemplary circuit comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit comprising a phase detector, a charge pump, a current controlled oscillator and a divider circuit. For programmable control of the current controlled oscillator, the PLL circuit further comprises a trim digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to provide a trimmed current signal for control of the current controlled oscillator.

Abstract: A method and circuit for frequency synthesis using a low drift current controlled oscillator configured to provide a wide output frequency and high accuracy are provided. An exemplary frequency synthesis circuit is configured for programmable control of a center frequency of the current controlled oscillator to provide a wide range of output frequencies with high accuracy. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an exemplary circuit comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit comprising a phase detector, a charge pump, a current controlled oscillator and a divider circuit. For programmable control of the current controlled oscillator, the PLL circuit further comprises a trim digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to provide a trimmed current signal for control of the current controlled oscillator.

Abstract: A method and system for erasing a page in a flash memory system including a CPU (11), a flash memory (12) including an array of flash memory cells (1), a flash memory controller (12A) coupled to the flash memory (12) and also coupled by a memory bus (19) to the CPU (11) operate the CPU (11) in response to a page erase signal produced during execution by the CPU (11) of a user application program to erase a page of the flash memory by causing the CPU (11) to generate a first incremental erase interval of substantially shorter duration than a total erase time required to erase the flash memory, cause the memory controller (12A) to take control of the memory bus and apply erase signals to the flash memory cells of the page during the first incremental erase interval, and cause the CPU (11) to take control of the memory bus (19) after the first incremental erase interval and execute a pending task.