Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool to gauge RF transceivers performance need

• US 20080095221A1
• Filed: 09/12/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron Global Sarl (Itron, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Picard, Gilles
• Granted Patent: US 7,929,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/224
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/16 in which transmission is by pulses
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7143 Arrangements for generation of hop patterns
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15 Active relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/127 based on intermediate node capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/005 Routing actions in the presence of nodes in sleep or doze mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/10 based on available power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 70/8418 adapted for focusing electric field or current, e.g. tip-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus and methodology subject matters related to Embedded RF environmental evaluation tool features to gauge the performance need of RF transceivers.

Claims

1. Methodology for an advanced metering system mesh network with embedded RF environmental evaluation tools, comprising:

establishing a network including a central facility and a plurality of node devices, at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices, and at least some of which node devices comprise cell relays which provide communications between others of the node devices and the central facility;

configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of node devices;

selectively monitoring Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) data at each respective node device; and

reporting such RSSI data from respective node devices to the central facility, so that conditions of the RF environment in which such network resides may be evaluated.

2. Methodology as in claim 1, further comprising:

performing statistical analysis at each of such respective node devices to compute averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data based on RSSI data at each of such respective node devices; and

reporting such computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to the central facility.

3. Methodology as in claim 2, wherein:

the step of establishing a network includes providing a frequency hopping mesh network, with the cell relays configured for operating per their own respective sequence of channels; and

the steps of selectively monitoring RSSI data and performing statistical analysis thereon are performed with such respective node devices in an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node devices are interrupted, and measurements are made for the average RSSI and its auto-correlation function on a single channel while such respective node devices operate in a continuous reception mode.

4. Methodology as in claim 1, further comprising:

performing statistical analysis at each of such respective node devices to compute RSSI probability density function (PDF) data based on such RSSI data at each of such respective node devices; and

reporting such computed RSSI PDF data to the central facility.

5. Methodology as in claim 4, wherein:

the step of establishing a network includes providing a frequency hopping mesh network, with the cell relays configured for operating per their own respective sequence of channels; and

the steps of selectively monitoring RSSI data and performing statistical analysis thereon are performed with such respective node devices in an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node devices are continued, and measurements are made for the RSSI PDF data computation on three selected channels.

6. Methodology for an advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network with embedded RF environmental evaluation tools for gauging RF transceiver performance needs of such network, comprising:

establishing a network including a central facility and a plurality of node devices, at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices, and at least some of which node devices comprise cell relays which provide communications between others of the node devices and the central facility;

configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of node devices via associations with respective of the cell relays;

selectively taking Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) reads at respective of the node devices;

performing statistical analysis at each of such respective node devices to compute averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data based on RSSI reads at each such respective node devices; and

reporting such computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to the central facility for use in analyzing time characteristics of RF interference based on actual node device-to-node device electromagnetic environment experience of the network.

7. Methodology as in claim 6, wherein the steps of selectively taking RSSI reads and performing statistical analysis thereon are performed with such respective node devices in an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node devices are interrupted, and measurements are made for the average RSSI and its auto-correlation function on a single channel while such respective node devices operate in a continuous reception mode.

8. Methodology as in claim 7, wherein during an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode, a respective node device is configured for:

switching from normal frequency hopping based operations thereof to a continuous reception mode on a single channel;

taking a requested number of RSSI readings;

first updating the average RSSI based on such RSSI readings;

storing at least a minimum of RSSI reading values for use in the RSSI auto-correlation function computations;

updating the RSSI auto-correlation function values based on the stored at least minimum number of RSSI reading values;

terminating the RSSI Auto-Correlation Acquisition Mode upon attaining the requested number of RSSI readings; and

forwarding the computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to a cell relay for reporting thereof to the central facility.

9. Methodology as in claim 6, further comprising:

performing statistical analysis at each of such respective node devices to compute RSSI probability density function (PDF) data at each such respective node devices based on the RSSI reads thereat; and

reporting such computed RSSI PDF data to the central facility for use in analyzing intensity characteristics of RF interference experienced by the node devices of the network.

10. Methodology as in claim 9, wherein the step of performing statistical analysis to compute RSSI PDF data is performed with such respective node devices in an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node devices are continued, and measurements are made for the RSSI PDF data computation on three selected channels.

11. Methodology as in claim 10, wherein during an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode, a respective node device is configured for:

maintaining normal frequency hopping based operations thereof;

taking a single RSSI reading per time slot on a first of three successive channels that are part of the normal frequency hopping sequence of such respective node device;

updating the RSSI PDF for such channel based on such RSSI readings;

repeating successively such taking and updating steps respectively for each of second and third successive channels that are part of the normal frequency hopping sequence of such respective node device;

terminating the RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode upon completion of acquiring updated RSSI PDF data for each of the instructed channels; and

forwarding the computed RSSI PDF data to a cell relay for reporting thereof to the central facility.

12. An advanced metering system mesh network with embedded RF environmental evaluation tools, comprising:

a central facility; and

a plurality of node devices, at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices, and at least some of which node devices comprise cell relays which provide communications between others of said node devices and said central facility, with each node device configured for bi-directional communications with said central facility;

wherein each of said node devices is configured to selectively monitor Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) data at each respective node device and report such RSSI data therefrom to said central facility, so that conditions of the RF environment in which such network resides may be evaluated.

13. An advanced metering system mesh network as in claim 12, wherein each of said node devices is further configured for:

performing statistical analysis at each of such respective node devices to compute averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data based on RSSI data at each of such respective node devices; and

reporting such computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to the central facility.

14. An advanced metering system mesh network as in claim 13, wherein:

said network comprises a frequency hopping mesh network, and with said cell relays configured for operating per their own respective sequence of channels; and

each of said node devices is further configured for operating in an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode for selectively monitoring RSSI data and performing statistical analysis thereon, and during which mode normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node device are interrupted, and measurements are made for the average RSSI and its auto-correlation function on a single channel while such respective node device operates in a continuous reception mode.

15. An advanced metering system mesh network as in claim 12, wherein each of said node devices is further configured for:

performing statistical analysis at each of such respective node devices to compute RSSI probability density function (PDF) data based on RSSI data at each of such respective node devices; and

reporting such computed RSSI PDF data to the central facility.

16. An advanced metering system mesh network as in claim 15, wherein:

said network comprises a frequency hopping mesh network, and with said cell relays configured for operating per their own respective sequence of channels; and

each of said node devices is further configured for operating in an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode for selectively monitoring RSSI data and performing statistical analysis thereon, and during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node devices are continued, and measurements are made for the RSSI PDF data computation on three selected channels.

17. An advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network with embedded RF environmental evaluation tools for gauging RF transceiver performance needs of such network, comprising:

a central facility; and

a plurality of node devices, at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices, and at least some of which node devices comprise cell relays which provide communications between others of said node devices and said central facility, with said network configured for bi-directional communications between said central facility and each of said plurality of node devices via associations with respective of said cell relays;

wherein each of said node devices is configured to selectively take Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) reads thereat, perform statistical analysis thereat to compute averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data based on RSSI reads thereat, and report such computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to said central facility for use in analyzing time characteristics of RF interference based on actual node device-to-node device electromagnetic environment experience of said network.

18. An advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network as in claim 17, wherein each of said node devices is further configured for selectively taking RSSI reads and performing statistical analysis thereon in an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node device are interrupted, and measurements are made for the averaged RSSI and its auto-correlation function on a single channel while such respective node device operates in a continuous reception mode.

19. An advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network as in claim 18, wherein during an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode, each of said respective node devices is further configured for:

switching from normal frequency hopping based operations thereof to a continuous reception mode on a single channel;

taking a requested number of RSSI readings;

first updating the average RSSI based on such RSSI readings;

storing at least a minimum of RSSI reading values for use in the RSSI auto-correlation function computations;

updating the RSSI auto-correlation function values based on the stored at least minimum number of RSSI reading values;

terminating the RSSI Auto-Correlation Acquisition Mode upon attaining the requested number of RSSI readings; and

forwarding the computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to a cell relay for reporting thereof to said central facility.

20. An advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network as in claim 17, wherein each of said respective node devices is further configured for:

performing statistical analysis thereat to compute RSSI probability density function (PDF) data thereat based on said RSSI reads thereat; and

reporting such computed RSSI PDF data to said central facility for use in analyzing intensity characteristics of RF interference experienced by said node devices of the network.

21. An advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network as in claim 20, wherein each of said node devices is further configured for selectively taking RSSI reads and performing statistical analysis thereon in an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such respective node device are continued, and measurements are made for the RSSI PDF data computation on three selected channels.

22. An advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network as in claim 21, wherein during an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode, each of said respective node devices is further configured for:

maintaining normal frequency hopping based operations thereof;

taking a single RSSI reading per time slot on a first of three successive channels that are part of the normal frequency hopping sequence of such respective node device;

updating the RSSI PDF for such channel based on such RSSI readings;

repeating successively such taking and updating steps respectively for each of second and third successive channels that are part of the normal frequency hopping sequence of such respective node device;

terminating the RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode upon completion of acquiring updated RSSI PDF data for each of the instructed channels; and

forwarding the computed RSSI PDF data to a cell relay for reporting thereof to said central facility.

23. A metrology device for use with an advanced metering system frequency hopping mesh network with embedded RF environmental evaluation tools for gauging RF transceiver performance needs of such network, and including a central facility, a plurality of node devices, with at least some of such node devices comprising such metrology devices, and at least some of such node devices comprising cell relays operating per their own respective sequence of channels and providing communications between others of the node devices and the central facility, with each node device configured for bi-directional communications with such central facility via an associated at least one of such cell relays, said metrology device comprising:

a metrology portion configured to measure consumption of a utility commodity;

a transmitter portion configured to transmit consumption information and other data; and

a receiver portion configured to receive information from other network devices in an associated network;

wherein said metrology device portions are configured to selectively monitor Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) data thereat and report such RSSI data therefrom to the central facility of an associated network, so that conditions of the RF environment in which such network resides may be evaluated.

24. A metrology device as in claim 23, wherein metrology device portions are further configured for:

operating in an RSSI Auto-correlation Acquisition Mode for selectively monitoring RSSI data and performing statistical analysis thereon to compute averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data based on RSSI data thereat, and during which mode normal frequency hopping based operations of such metrology device are interrupted, and measurements are made for the average RSSI and its auto-correlation function on a single channel while such respective node device operates in a continuous reception mode; and

reporting such computed averaged RSSI data and RSSI auto-correlation function data to the central facility of an associated network.

25. A metrology device as in claim 23, wherein metrology device portions are further configured for:

operating in an RSSI PDF Acquisition Mode for selectively monitoring RSSI data and performing statistical analysis thereon to compute RSSI probability density function (PDF) data based on RSSI data thereat, and during which normal frequency hopping based operations of such metrology device are continued, and measurements are made for the RSSI PDF data computation on three selected channels; and

reporting such computed RSSI PDF data to the central facility of an associated network.