Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying network events. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring signal characteristic values for signals transmitted over a communications channel of a power line communications system and determining that a signal level value for the channel is less than a threshold signal level value for the channel. In response to determining that the signal level value for the channel is less than the threshold signal level value for the channel, a signal to noise ratio for the communications channel is computer and it is determined that the signal to noise ratio for the channel exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the signal to noise ratio for the communications channel exceeds the threshold value, storing data received over the communications channel is stored as valid data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting grid events. In one aspect, a method includes receiving signal characteristic data that specify signal characteristic values for signals that are received over each of a plurality of communications channels of a power line communications network. A determination is made that the signal characteristic values for the signals that are received over at least one of the communications channels are outside of a baseline signal value range. An endpoint that communicates over the at least one communications channel is identified, and a determination is made that a set of the signal characteristic values for the identified endpoint matches one of a plurality a grid event signatures for the identified endpoint. Data that identify the endpoint and a particular grid event that is represented by the matched grid event signature are provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting a power outage. In one aspect, a status request requesting a status of a portion of a power distribution network is received, where the request includes a reference to a power meter that is located within the portion of the network. In response to the status request, a block of communications channels is selected, where the block includes a target communications channel over which a signal corresponding to the referenced power meter is received. In turn, an amplitude of the signal being received over the target communications channel is obtained. A determination is made whether the amplitude of the signal is less than an outage threshold and a status notification is provided that specifies the status of the portion of the power distribution network for which the status has been requested.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting grid events. In one aspect, a method includes receiving signal characteristic data that specify signal characteristic values for signals that are received over each of a plurality of communications channels of a power line communications network. A determination is made that the signal characteristic values for the signals that are received over at least one of the communications channels are outside of a baseline signal value range. An endpoint that communicates over the at least one communications channel is identified, and a determination is made that a set of the signal characteristic values for the identified endpoint matches one of a plurality a grid event signatures for the identified endpoint. Data that identify the endpoint and a particular grid event that is represented by the matched grid event signature are provided.

Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying network events. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring signal characteristic values for signals transmitted over a communications channel of a power line communications system and determining that a signal level value for the channel is less than a threshold signal level value for the channel. In response to determining that the signal level value for the channel is less than the threshold signal level value for the channel, a signal to noise ratio for the communications channel is computer and it is determined that the signal to noise ratio for the channel exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the signal to noise ratio for the communications channel exceeds the threshold value, storing data received over the communications channel is stored as valid data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting grid events. In one aspect, a method includes receiving signal characteristic data that specify signal characteristic values for signals that are received over each of a plurality of communications channels of a power line communications network. A determination is made that the signal characteristic values for the signals that are received over at least one of the communications channels are outside of a baseline signal value range. An endpoint that communicates over the at least one communications channel is identified, and a determination is made that a set of the signal characteristic values for the identified endpoint matches one of a plurality a grid event signatures for the identified endpoint. Data that identify the endpoint and a particular grid event that is represented by the matched grid event signature are provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for communicating using harmonic tones. In one aspect, a method includes receiving harmonic tones that represent data being reported by a node that generated the harmonic tones; selecting data that are represented by each of the harmonic tones; and providing the data that are represented by the harmonic tones.

Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying network events. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring signal characteristic values for signals transmitted over a communications channel of a power line communications system and determining that a signal level value for the channel is less than a threshold signal level value for the channel. In response to determining that the signal level value for the channel is less than the threshold signal level value for the channel, a signal to noise ratio for the communications channel is computed and it is determined that the signal to noise ratio for the channel exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the signal to noise ratio for the communications channel exceeds the threshold value, data received over the communications channel is stored as valid data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting receiver gain adjustment values. In one aspect, a method includes receiving aggregate signal characteristic values (“aggregate values”) for a plurality of signals being received over active channels of a power line communications network, the aggregate values being computed based on signal characteristic values for each of the signals being received over the active channels. Using the aggregate values, a determination is made that one or more of the aggregate values have been outside of a valid range of signal characteristic values over a specified period. In response to determining that the aggregate values have been outside of the valid range, a receiver gain adjustment value is selected based on the aggregate values and a receiver gain of a receiver that receives the signals is adjusted.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for. In one aspect, a method includes detecting, by an end point, a first broadcast message specifying a first network identifier for a first PLC network and a first unique substation identifier for a first substation processing unit that belongs to the first PLC network. Data is encoded with the first network identifier and the first unique substation identifier and the encoded first data is transmitted to the first substation processing unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting grid events. In one aspect, a method includes receiving signal characteristic data that specify signal characteristic values for signals that are received over each of a plurality of communications channels of a power line communications network. A determination is made that the signal characteristic values for the signals that are received over at least one of the communications channels are outside of a baseline signal value range. An endpoint that communicates over the at least one communications channel is identified, and a determination is made that a set of the signal characteristic values for the identified endpoint matches one of a plurality a grid event signatures for the identified endpoint. Data that identify the endpoint and a particular grid event that is represented by the matched grid event signature are provided.

Abstract: A network status is determined based on channel data specifying at least one channel characteristic of a communications channel. Changes in various channel characteristics are indicative of changes in a status of a distributed network. Therefore, these channel characteristics can be monitored over time to identify changes to the status of the distributed network. Changes to channel characteristics can be identified based on normalized channel data that is normalized relative to reference channel data. Status scores are generated based on the normalized channel data. The status scores are, in turn, normalized for channels that are identified as valid channels. The normalized status scores are adjusted based on variations of the channel data and the network status is identified based on status score variations. Status data identifying the network status is generated based on the status of the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for communicating using harmonic tones. In one aspect, a method includes receiving harmonic tones that represent data being reported by a node that generated the harmonic tones; selecting data that are represented by each of the harmonic tones; and providing the data that are represented by the harmonic tones.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for. In one aspect, a method includes detecting, by an end point, a first broadcast message specifying a first network identifier for a first PLC network and a first unique substation identifier for a first substation processing unit that belongs to the first PLC network. Data is encoded with the first network identifier and the first unique substation identifier and the encoded first data is transmitted to the first substation processing unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting a power outage. In one aspect, a status request requesting a status of a portion of a power distribution network is received, where the request includes a reference to a power meter that is located within the portion of the network. In response to the status request, a block of communications channels is selected, where the block includes a target communications channel over which a signal corresponding to the referenced power meter is received. In turn, an amplitude of the signal being received over the target communications channel is obtained. A determination is made whether the amplitude of the signal is less than an outage threshold and a status notification is provided that specifies the status of the portion of the power distribution network for which the status has been requested.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying network events. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring signal characteristic values for signals transmitted over a communications channel of a power line communications system and determining that a signal level value for the channel is less than a threshold signal level value for the channel. In response to determining that the signal level value for the channel is less than the threshold signal level value for the channel, computing a signal to noise ratio for the communications channel and determining that the signal to noise ratio for the channel exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the signal to noise ratio for the communications channel exceeds the threshold value, storing data received over the communications channel as valid data.

Abstract: A network status is determined based on channel data specifying at least one channel characteristic of a communications channel. Changes in various channel characteristics are indicative of changes in a status of a distributed network. Therefore, these channel characteristics can be monitored over time to identify changes to the status of the distributed network. Changes to channel characteristics can be identified based on normalized channel data that is normalized relative to reference channel data. Status scores are generated based on the normalized channel data. The status scores are, in turn, normalized for channels that are identified as valid channels. The normalized status scores are adjusted based on variations of the channel data and the network status is identified based on status score variations. Status data identifying the network status is generated based on the status of the network.

Abstract: A transactional event management structure is implemented in a network computer system. A dynamic system controller resolves proprietary and standard event and message structures into a common format for use by a system for many management purposes. A dynamic system controller in a computer is connected with a plurality of subsystems in the computer for receiving messages from the subsystems, analyzing the messages and determine an effective utilization of the messages as directed by a user or network administrator. The dynamic system controller receives messages in different message formats, organizes the messages, and converts the messages into a common format that assists a user, system administrator, or network administrator in utilizing the information contained in the messages.

Abstract: A device connected to a network operates in a plurality of states including an execution state and a low-power state. During operation in the low-power state, the device is activated to an execution state in response to standard messages such as Ethernet messages. A receiving device connected to a network is activated from a suspended or low-power state by the receipt of a message from a sending device. The message necessarily includes a unique Ethernet address identifying the destination device in accordance with a standard specification, such as the IEEE 802.3 specification. The receiving device reads the unique Ethernet address of the message, determines a type classification of the message content, and determines whether to become activate or remain in the low-power state on the basis of the Ethernet address and the message type.