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System and method for selecting a communication network in a sensor network

  • US 10,057,388 B2
  • Filed: 07/27/2015
  • Issued: 08/21/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sensor network for selecting one of a wireless connection and a wired connection, the sensor network comprising:

  • a server;

    a sensor data concentrator connected to the server;

    a first network based on a wireless communication protocol;

    a second network based on a power line communication protocol connected to the sensor data concentrator and to the server;

    the sensor data concentrator having a first control module including a first memory storing at least one power line stack based on the power line communication protocol, and at least one wireless stack based on the wireless communication protocol, wherein the at least one power line stack includes a first media access (MAC) layer and the at least one wireless stack includes a second MAC layer, wherein the first MAC layer and the second MAC layer both conform to the wireless communication protocol; and

    at least one sensor node in communication with the sensor data concentrator over both the first network and the second network, and with the server over the second network, the at least one sensor node including at least one sensor and a second control module in communication with the at least one sensor, the second control module including control logic for selecting either the first network or the second network to communicate with the sensor data concentrator over the first and the second network, and with the server over the second network, wherein selection of the first or the second network by the first and the second control modules is based on at least one operating parameter of the sensor network, wherein the first network is a default connection that is used unless the control module transmits secure data.

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