Abstract: A mesh network includes a plurality of nodes and a network head. The plurality of nodes includes a first node structured to generate and output a message to the network head in response to an event. The message includes at least one first information item associated with the first node, the electrical device monitored by the first node, or the section of the electrical distribution system monitored by the first node. The plurality of nodes includes a second node disposed on a communication path between the first node and the network head and being structured to add at least one second information item associated with the second node, the electrical device monitored by the second node, or the section of the electrical distribution system monitored by the second node to the message and to output the message to the network head.

Abstract: A mesh network includes a plurality of nodes and a network head. The plurality of nodes includes a first node structured to generate and output a message to the network head in response to an event. The message includes at least one first information item associated with the first node, the electrical device monitored by the first node, or the section of the electrical distribution system monitored by the first node. The plurality of nodes includes a second node disposed on a communication path between the first node and the network head and being structured to add at least one second information item associated with the second node, the electrical device monitored by the second node, or the section of the electrical distribution system monitored by the second node to the message and to output the message to the network head.

Abstract: Methods and devices for facilitating communications in an ad-hoc multi-hop wireless network during outage conditions are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an initiating device attempts to send a communication to a target destination by first sending a synchronization request to an intermediate device using a unicast transmission. If the initiating device determines that the first synchronization request failed, a second synchronization request is sent to any potential candidate device neighbors using an anycast transmission protocol. The initiating device receives an acknowledgment message from at least one of those devices. The transmission of acknowledgment messages by potential candidate responders are prioritized in a self-organizing manner relating to priority indicator information conveyed in the anycast transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing predictive frequency searches in ad-hoc multi-hop wireless networks is described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a predicted frequency is selected and a synchronization request is sent from an initiating node to a target node on the predicted frequency. If the transmitted synchronization request is the last synchronization request for the predictive frequency search mode sequence, then the initiating node enters into a receiving mode to receive a synchronization response message from the target node. If not, the initiating node selects a new predicted frequency, and sends a new synchronization request to the target node on that frequency. This repeats until the transmitted synchronization request is the last predictive synchronization request, and the initiating node enters into the receiving mode. The initiating node in the selection of synchronization request transmission frequencies can adaptively alternate between predictive and full spectrum frequency searches.

Abstract: Methods and devices for facilitating communications in an ad-hoc multi-hop wireless network during outage conditions are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an initiating device attempts to send a communication to a target destination by first sending a synchronization request to an intermediate device using a unicast transmission. If the initiating device determines that the first synchronization request failed, a second synchronization request is sent to any potential candidate device neighbors using an anycast transmission protocol. The initiating device receives an acknowledgment message from at least one of those devices. The transmission of acknowledgment messages by potential candidate responders are prioritized in a self-organizing manner relating to priority indicator information conveyed in the anycast transmission.

Abstract: A communications system capable of being used to add capacity to a wireless mesh network is described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a communications system includes a primary gateway device having a first identifier, and a first plurality of communications devices assigned the first identifier. The primary gateway device provides network access to a communications server and describes a first segment of the communications system including the first plurality. The communications system also includes at least one auxiliary gateway device having a second identifier and an auxiliary gateway designation that allows hierarchical independence of the first segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing predictive frequency searches in ad-hoc multi-hop wireless networks is described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a predicted frequency is selected and a synchronization request is sent from an initiating node to a target node on the predicted frequency. If the transmitted synchronization request is the last synchronization request for the predictive frequency search mode sequence, then the initiating node enters into a receiving mode to receive a synchronization response message from the target node. If not, the initiating node selects a new predicted frequency, and sends a new synchronization request to the target node on that frequency. This repeats until the transmitted synchronization request is the last predictive synchronization request, and the initiating node enters into the receiving mode. The initiating node in the selection of synchronization request transmission frequencies can adaptively alternate between predictive and full spectrum frequency searches.