Radio communication network for remote data generating stations

• US 5,553,094 A
• Filed: 07/07/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Iris Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Wiebe, Michael, Holowick, Erwin, Murphy, Michael F., Jacob, Nathan R., Schellenberg, James J., Stasenski, Michael S., Johnson, Dennis F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US08/271,545
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 375/200-210, 380/34, 324/110, 379/106, 340/551, 340/552, 340/637, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 340/825.15, 340/825.35, 340/825.52, 340/825.54, 340/870.02, 340/870.03, 340/870.11 , 340/870.13, 340/870.15, 340/870.18
• US Class Current: 375/130
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 15/00 Arrangements characterised by the use of multiplexing for the transmission of a plurality of signals over a common path
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 15/06 successively, i.e. using time division
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/022 by sampling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/14 Calling by using pulses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/08 Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• 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 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 : Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 : Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal. The wide area communications network collects network data generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network having a hierarchical communications topology. The central data terminal controls network operation. Intelligence exists at all layers of the network, thereby easing the workload of the central data terminal. The intelligence attributed to each module is a function of the application of that module.

Claims

1. A communications network for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules, with each network service module coupled to a respective physical device generating respective NSM data, with each network service module including an NSM receiver for receiving a command signal, an NSM controller responsive to the received command signal for setting a carrier frequency, and an NSM transmitter for transmitting by wireless radio at the carrier frequency the respective NSM data from the respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal at a time pseudorandomly selected within a predetermined time period;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced, with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes of said plurality of remote cell nodes, for simultaneously receiving the transmitted NSM-packet signal by said at least two remote cell nodes of said plurality of remote cell nodes, with each remote cell node including

an RCN transmitter for transmitting by wireless radio the command signal;

an RCN receiver for receiving a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, respectively, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of said plurality of network service modules; and

an RCN memory for storing the received multiplicity of NSM-packet signals, with said RCN transmitter responsive to a first polling signal for transmitting by wireless radio the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal;

a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT), with each intermediate data terminal including

a first IDT transmitter for transmitting by wireless radio the first polling signal using a first polling-access protocol to each of said plurality of remote cell nodes;

a first IDT receiver for receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, respectively, with the multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a subset of said plurality of remote cell nodes;

an IDT memory for storing the received multiplicity of RCN-packet signals;

a second IDT receiver for receiving a second polling signal; and

a second IDT transmitter, responsive to the second polling signal, for transmitting the stored multiplicity of RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having a CDT transmitter for transmitting the second polling signal using a second polling access protocol to said plurality of intermediate data terminals, a CDT receiver for receiving a plurality of IDT-packet signals, a CDT processor for decoding the plurality of IDT-packet signals as the plurality of NSM data, and a CDT memory for storing the plurality of NSM data in a data base.

2. The communications network as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first IDT transmitter of each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals includes frequency controlling means for controlling and changing the carrier frequency.

3. The communications network as set forth in claim 2 wherein the frequency controlling means includes a synthesizer.

4. A communications network for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules, with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules including NSM-transmitter means for transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data generated by a respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal at a time pseudorandomly selected within a predetermined time period;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced, with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two of said plurality of remote cell nodes, for receiving the transmitted NSM-packet signal by said at least two remote cell nodes, with each remote cell node including

RCN-receiver means for receiving a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, respectively, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of said plurality of network service modules;

RCN-memory means for storing the received multiplicity of NSM-packet signals; and

RCN-transmitter means, responsive to a first polling signal, for transmitting the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal;

a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT), with each intermediate data terminal including

IDT-transmitter means for transmitting the first polling signal to said plurality of remote cell nodes;

IDT-receiver means for receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, respectively, with the multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a subset of said plurality of remote cell nodes;

IDT-memory means for storing the received multiplicity of RCN-packet signals, with said IDT-transmitter means responsive to a second polling signal for transmitting the stored multiplicity of RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having CDT-transmitter means for transmitting the second polling signal to said plurality of intermediate data terminals, CDT-receiver means for receiving a plurality of IDT-packet signals, CDT-processing means for decoding the plurality of IDT-packet signals as the plurality of NSM data, and CDT-memory means for storing the plurality of NSM data in a data base.

5. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said network service modules further includes:

NSM-receiver means for receiving a command signal transmitted from at least one of said plurality of remote cell nodes; and

NSM-processor means, responsive to the command signal, for setting a carrier frequency of said NSM-transmitter means and updating an internal clock.

6. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said network service modules further includes:

NSM-processor means, responsive to detecting an alarm condition, for generating an alarm signal;

said NSM-transmitter means, responsive to said alarm signal, for transmitting the alarm signal in an NSM-packet signal;

said RCN-receiver means, responsive to receiving the alarm signal, for causing said RCN-transmitter means to transmit an RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal; and

said IDT-receiver means, responsive to receiving the RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal, for causing said IDT-transmitter means to transmit an IDT-packet signal having the alarm signal.

7. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plurality of physical devices includes a plurality of electricity meters, each of said plurality of electricity meters coupled to a respective one of said plurality of network service modules, for generating respective NSM data.

8. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plurality of physical devices includes a plurality of water meters, each of said plurality of water meters coupled to a respective one of said plurality of network service modules, for generating respective NSM data.

9. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plurality of physical devices includes a plurality of gas meters, each of said plurality of gas meters coupled to a respective one of said plurality of network service modules, for generating respective NSM data.

10. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein the IDT-transmitter means, responsive to receiving an RCN-packet signal from a respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, sends an acknowledgement signal to the respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes.

11. The communications network as set forth in claim 10 wherein the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the acknowledgement signal, retains the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals in the RCN-memory means until additional NSM-packet signals are received from said multiplicity of network service modules, and the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes overwrites the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

12. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein said CDT-processing means correlates the plurality of NSM-packet signals embedded in the plurality of IDT-packet signals.

13. The communications network as set forth in claim 12 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies a duplicate NSM-packet signal within the plurality of NSM-packet signals embedded in the plurality of IDT-packet signals.

14. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies a duplicate NSM-packet signal within the plurality of NSM-packet signals embedded in the plurality of IDT-packet signals.

15. The communications network as set forth in claim 14 or 13 wherein said CDT-processing means deletes the duplicate NSM-packet signal.

16. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of intermediate data terminals includes directional antenna means for transmitting in turn the first polling signal to said plurality of remote cell nodes.

17. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a disk for rotating to measure data and for generating respective NSM data from the data measured.

18. The communications network as set forth in claim 17 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a reverse sensor for detecting a reverse rotation of the respective disk and for generating respective NSM data from the reverse rotation detected.

19. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a housing for housing the respective physical device, and a tilt sensor for detecting a movement of said housing and for generating respective NSM data from the movement detected.

20. The communications network as set forth in claim 19 wherein said plurality of physical devices includes a plurality of tilt sensors for detecting a movement of a respective one of the plurality of housings.

21. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a field sensor for detecting a presence of an electric field and for generating respective NSM data from the electric field presence detected.

22. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes an acoustic sensor for detecting sounds and for generating respective NSM data from the sound detected.

23. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a magnetic sensor for detecting a presence of a magnetic field and for generating respective NSM data from the magnetic field presence detected.

24. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a heat sensor for detecting a temperature and for generating respective NSM data from the temperature detected.

25. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a battery level sensor for detecting a battery level and for generating respective NSM data from the battery level detected.

26. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a consumption sensor for detecting a value of consumption and for generating respective NSM data from the consumption value detected.

27. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of physical devices includes a cover sensor for detecting a continual presence of a cover and for generating respective NSM data from the cover presence detected.

28. The communications network as set forth in claim 27 wherein the cover includes a reflective strip, and wherein the cover sensor includes:

a light emitting diode for generating a light beam to reflect off of the reflective strip; and

a photo diode for detecting the reflected light beam.

29. The communications network as set forth in claim 4 wherein the IDT-transmitter means sends a plurality of communications signals to the plurality of remote cell nodes.

30. The communications network as set forth in claim 29, wherein at least a multiplicity of remote cell nodes receives the plurality of communications signals from the IDT-transmitter means.

31. A method for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two of said plurality, of remote cell nodes, for simultaneously receiving the plurality of NSM data by said at least two remote cell nodes, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data from each of the plurality of physical devices as an NSM-packet signal at a time selected pseudorandomly;

receiving, at each remote cell node (RCN), a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, respectively, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of said plurality of network service modules;

storing the received multiplicity of NSM-packet signals received at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes;

polling the plurality of remote cell nodes with a plurality of polling signals, respectively, from an intermediate data terminal;

transmitting from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to the plurality of polling signals, the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a plurality of RCN-packet signals, respectively;

receiving the plurality of RCN-packet signals at the intermediate data terminal (IDT);

storing the received plurality of RCN-packet signals at the intermediate data terminal;

transmitting, responsive to a second polling signal, from a plurality of intermediate data terminals, the plurality of stored RCN-packet signals as a plurality of IDT-packet signals, respectively; and

receiving the plurality of IDT-packet signals at a central data terminal (CDT).

32. The method as set forth in claim 31 further comprising the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to a respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes;

receiving the acknowledgement signal;

retaining the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the retained stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

33. The method as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

retaining the duplicate NSM-packet signal;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the duplicate NSM-packet signal.

34. The method as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the step of:

sending a plurality of communications signals to the plurality of remote cell nodes.

35. The method as set forth in claim 34, further comprising the step of:

receiving the plurality of communications signals at a multiplicity of remote cell nodes.

36. A communications network for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules, with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules coupled to a respective physical device of said plurality of physical devices, with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules including an NSM transmitter for transmitting by wireless radio the respective NSM data from the respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules within a range of at least one remote cell node, with each remote cell node including an RCN receiver for receiving a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of the plurality of network service modules, and RCN-transmitter means for transmitting the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having CDT-receiver means for receiving a plurality of RCN-packet signals, a CDT processor for decoding the plurality of RCN-packet signals as the NSM data, and a CDT memory for storing the NSM data in a data base.

50. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 with each of said plurality of physical devices including an electricity meter for generating respective NSM data.

51. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 with each of said plurality of physical devices including a water meter for generating respective NSM data.

52. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 with each of said plurality of physical devices including a gas meter for generating respective NSM data.

54. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a disk for rotating to measure data.

55. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein:

each of said plurality of physical devices includes a housing for housing a respective one of the plurality of physical devices; and

each of said plurality of physical devices includes a tilt sensor for detecting a movement of a respective one of the plurality of housings.

56. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a field sensor for detecting a presence of an electric field.

57. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes an acoustic sensor for detecting a sound.

58. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a magnetic sensor for detecting a presence of a magnetic field.

59. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a heat sensor for detecting a temperature.

60. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a battery level sensor for detecting a battery level.

61. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a consumption sensor for detecting a value of consumption.

62. The communications network as set forth in claim 54 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a reverse sensor for detecting a reverse rotation of a respective disk.

63. The communications network as set forth in claim 36 or 39 wherein each of the plurality of physical devices includes a cover sensor for detecting a continual presence of a cover.

64. The communications network as set forth in claim 63 wherein the cover includes a reflective strip, and wherein the cover sensor includes:

a light emitting diode for generating a light beam to reflect off of the reflective strip; and

a photo diode for detecting the reflected light beam.

39. A communications network for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules for generating a plurality of NSM-packet signal, respectively, with each network service module including NSM-transmitter means for transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data generated by a respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes for receiving a transmitted NSM-packet signal by said at least two remote cell nodes, with each remote cell node including RCN-receiver means for receiving a NSM-packet signal transmitted from a network service module, RCN-memory means for storing a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals, and RCN-transmitter means for transmitting the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals from the RCN-memory means as an RCN-packet signal;

an intermediate data terminal (IDT) including IDT-receiver means for receiving an RCN-packet signal transmitted from a remote cell node, IDT-memory means for storing a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals, and IDT-transmitter means for transmitting the stored multiplicity of RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having CDT-receiver means for receiving a plurality of IDT-packet signals, CDT-processing means for decoding the plurality of IDT-packet signals as a plurality of NSM data, and CDT-memory means for storing the plurality of NSM data in a data base.

37. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein said IDT transmitter includes frequency controlling means for controlling and changing the carrier frequency.

38. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein the frequency controlling means includes a synthesizer.

40. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein each of said network service modules includes:

NSM-receiver means for receiving a command signal transmitted from one of said plurality of remote cell nodes; and

NSM-processor means responsive to the command signal for setting a carrier frequency of said NSM-transmitter means and updating an internal clock.

41. The communications network as set forth in claim 39, wherein;

each of said network service modules further includes

NSM-processor means, responsive to detecting an alarm condition, for generating an alarm signal, with said NSM-transmitter means, responsive to said alarm signal, transmitting an NSM-packet signal having said alarm signal;

each of said remote cell nodes further includes

RCN-processor means, responsive to receiving the NSM-packet signal having the alarm signal, for causing said RCN-transmitter means to transmit an RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal; and

said intermediate data terminal further includes

IDT-processor means, responsive to receiving the RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal, for causing said IDT-transmitter means to transmit an IDT-packet signal having the alarm signal.

42. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein said IDT-transmitter means, responsive to receiving an RCN-packet signal from a respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes, sends an acknowledgement signal to the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes.

43. The communications network as set forth in claim 42 wherein the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the acknowledgement signal, retains the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals in the RCN-memory means until additional NSM-packet signals are received from said multiplicity of network service modules, and the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes overwrites the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

44. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein said CDT-processing means correlates the plurality of NSM-packet signals.

45. The communications network as set forth in claim 44 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies a duplicate NSM-packet signal among the plurality of NSM-packet signals.

46. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies a duplicate NSM-packet signal among the plurality of NSM-packet signals.

47. The communications network as set forth in claim 46 wherein said CDT-processing means deletes the duplicate NSM-packet signal from the plurality of NSM-packet signals.

48. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein the IDT-transmitter means sends a plurality of communications signals to a remote cell node.

49. The communications network as set forth in claim 48, wherein the plurality of remote cell nodes receives the plurality of communications signals from the IDT-transmitter means.

53. The communications network as set forth in claim 39 wherein said intermediate data terminal includes antenna means for transmitting in turn a polling signal to each of said plurality of remote cell nodes.

65. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by a plurality of remote cell nodes located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes for receiving NSM-data by said at least two remote cell nodes, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving at the plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules;

storing a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes;

transmitting from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a plurality of RCN-packet signals; and

receiving the plurality of RCN-packet signals at a central data terminal (CDT).

66. The method as set forth in claim 65, further comprising the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to a respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes;

receiving the acknowledgement signal;

retaining the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

67. The method as set forth in claim 65, further comprising the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

retaining the duplicate NSM-packet signal;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the duplicate NSM-packet signal.

68. The method as set forth in claim 65, further comprising the step of:

sending a plurality of communications signals to a respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes.

69. The method as set forth in claim 68, further comprising the step of:

receiving the plurality of communications signals at the plurality of remote cell nodes.

70. The method as set forth in claim 65 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a command signal transmitted from one of said plurality of remote cell nodes at one of the multiplicity of network service modules; and

setting, in response to the command signal, a carrier frequency of a transmitter located at said network service module.

72. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of generating NSM data from said plurality of physical devices with a plurality of electricity meters, respectively.

73. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of generating NSM data from said plurality of physical devices with a plurality of water meters, respectively.

74. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of generating NSM data from said plurality of physical devices with a plurality of gas meters, respectively.

75. The method as set forth in claim 65 further comprising the steps of:

receiving an RCN-packet signal from a respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes at the central data terminal; and

sending an acknowledgement signal to the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes.

76. The method as set forth in claim 75 further comprising the steps of:

retaining, at the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals until additional NSM-packet signals are received from said multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting, at the respective one of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

77. The method as set forth in claim 65 further comprising the steps of correlating, in time, the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

78. The method as set forth in claim 77 further comprising the step of identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

79. The method as set forth in claim 65 further comprising the step of identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

80. The method as set forth in claim 79, or 78 further comprising the step of deleting the duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

81. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the steps of:

housing each of the plurality of physical devices with a respective one of a plurality of housings; and

detecting a movement of a respective one of the plurality of housings with a respective one of a plurality of tilt sensors.

82. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step for detecting the presence of an electric field with a field sensor at a network service module.

83. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting sounds with a respective one of a plurality of acoustic sensors, at a respective one of said plurality of physical devices.

84. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting the presence of a magnetic field, with a respective one of a plurality of magnetic field sensors, at a respective one of said plurality of physical devices.

85. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting a temperature, with a respective one of a plurality of temperature sensors, of g respective one of said plurality of physical devices.

86. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting a battery level, using a respective one of a plurality of battery level sensors, of a respective one of said plurality of physical devices.

87. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting a value of consumption, using a respective one of a plurality of consumption sensors, of a respective one of said plurality of physical devices.

88. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting a reverse rotation of a respective one of a plurality of disks at a respective one of said plurality of physical devices.

89. The method as set forth in claim 65 further including the step of detecting, using a respective one of a plurality of cover sensors, a continual presence of a cover on a respective one of the plurality of physical devices.

90. The method as set forth in claim 89 wherein the cover includes a reflective strip, further including the steps of:

generating a light beam to reflect off of the reflective strip; and

detecting the reflected light beam.

71. The method as set forth in 65 further comprising the steps of:

generating, in response to detecting an alarm condition at a network service module, an alarm signal;

transmitting the alarm signal in an NSM-packet signal; and

transmitting, in response to receiving the NSM-packet signal having the alarm signal, an RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal.

91. A method for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two of said plurality of remote cell nodes, for simultaneously receiving the plurality of NSM data by said at least two remote cell nodes, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data from each of the plurality of physical devices as an NSM-packet signal at a time selected pseudorandomly;

receiving, at each remote cell node (RCN), a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, respectively, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of said plurality of network service modules;

storing the received multiplicity of NSM-packet signals at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes;

polling, from a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT) using a plurality of polling signals, respectively, the plurality of remote cell nodes, with each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals polling a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a subset of the plurality of remote cell nodes;

transmitting from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to the plurality of polling signals, the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal;

receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals at each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals, with the multiplicity of RCN-packet signals including a subset of the plurality of RCN-packet signals;

storing the received multiplicity of RCN-packet signals at each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals;

polling, from a central data terminal using a second polling signal, the plurality of intermediate data terminals;

transmitting from each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals, responsive to the second polling signal, the multiplicity of stored RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal, respectively;

receiving a plurality of IDT-packet signals at the central data terminal; and

decoding, at the central data terminal, the plurality of IDT-packet signals as the plurality of NSM data.

92. The method as set forth in claim 91, further comprising, after the step of receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals at each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals, the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to a respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes;

receiving, at the respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the acknowledgement signal;

retaining, at the respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

receiving, at the respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the retained stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

93. The method as set forth in claim 91, further comprising, after the step of receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals at each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals, the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to a respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes;

receiving, at the respective one of the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the acknowledgement signal; and

deleting, by overwriting, the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

94. The method as set forth in claim 91, further comprising, after the step of receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals at each of the plurality of intermediate data terminals, the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals embedded in the multiplicity of RCN-packet signals;

identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal within the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals; and

deleting the duplicate NSM-packet signal.

95. The method as set forth in claim 91, further comprising, after the step of receiving, at each remote cell node, a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals, the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

retaining the duplicate NSM-packet signal;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the duplicate NSM-packet signal.

96. The method as set forth in claim 91 further comprising, after the step of receiving, at each remote cell node, a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals, the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals; and

duplicating, by overwriting, the duplicate NSM-packet signal.

97. The method as set forth in claim 91, further comprising, after the step of transmitting an RCN-packet signal, the steps of:

monitoring, by the plurality of remote cell nodes, the transmitted RCN-packet signal;

comparing, by a monitoring remote cell node, the transmitted RCN-packet signal to NSM data stored at the monitoring remote cell node;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

cancelling the redundant NSM data.

98. The method as set forth in claim 91, further comprising, after the step of decoding, at the central data terminal, the plurality of IDT-packet signals as the plurality of NSM data, the steps of:

correlating the plurality of NSM data;

identifying duplicate NSM data within the plurality of NSM data; and

deleting the duplicate NSM data.

99. A communications network for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules for generating a plurality of NSM-packet signals, respectively, with each network service module including NSM-transmitter means for transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data generated by a respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes for receiving a transmitted NSM-packet signal by said at least two remote cell nodes, with each remote cell node including RCN-receiver means for receiving an NSM-packet signal transmitted from a network service module, RCN-memory means for storing the received NSM-packet signal, and RCN-transmitter means for transmitting the stored NSM-packet signal from the RCN-memory means as an RCN-packet signal;

an intermediate data terminal (IDT) including IDT-receiver means for receiving the RCN-packet signal transmitted from each remote cell node, IDT-memory means for storing the received RCN-packet signal, and IDT-transmitter means for transmitting the stored RCN-packet signal as an IDT-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having CDT-receiver means for receiving the IDT-packet signal, CDT-processing means for decoding the received IDT-packet signal as a plurality of NSM data, and CDT-memory means for storing the plurality of NSM data in a data base.

100. The communications network as set forth in claim 99, wherein:

each of said network service modules further includes

NSM-processor means, responsive to detecting an alarm condition, for generating an alarm signal, with said NSM-transmitter means, responsive to the alarm signal, transmitting an NSM-packet signal having the alarm signal;

each of said remote cell nodes further includes

RCN-processor means, responsive to receiving the NSM-packet signal having the alarm signal, for causing said RCN-transmitter means to transmit an RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal; and

said intermediate data terminal further includes

IDT-processor means, responsive to receiving the RCN-packet signal having the alarm signal, for causing said IDT-transmitter means to transmit an IDT-packet signal having the alarm signal.

101. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 with each of said plurality of physical devices including an electricity meter for generating respective NSM data.

102. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 with each of said plurality of physical devices including a water meter for generating respective NSM data.

103. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 with each of said plurality of physical devices including a gas meter for generating respective NSM data.

104. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein said IDT-transmitter means, responsive to receiving the RCN-packet signal from a particular remote cell node, sends an acknowledgement signal to the particular remote cell node.

105. The communications network as set forth in claim 104 wherein the particular remote cell node, responsive to receiving the acknowledgement signal, retains the stored NSM-packet signal in a respective RCN-memory means until an additional NSM-packet signal is received from a network service module, and then the particular remote cell node deletes the stored NSM-packet signal.

106. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein said CDT-processing means correlates the NSM data.

107. The communications network as set forth in claim 106 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies duplicate NSM data among the plurality of NSM data.

108. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies duplicate NSM data among the plurality of NSM data.

109. The communications network as set forth in claim 108 wherein said CDT-processing means deletes the duplicate NSM data.

110. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein said IDT transmitter includes frequency controlling means for controlling and changing the carrier frequency.

111. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein said intermediate data terminal includes antenna means for transmitting in turn a polling signal to each of said plurality of remote cell nodes.

112. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes disk for rotating to measure data.

113. The communications network as set forth in claim 112 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a reverse sensor for detecting a reverse rotation of a respective disk.

114. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes

a housing for housing a respective one of the plurality of physical devices;

and

a tilt sensor for detecting a movement of a respective one of the plurality of housings.

115. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a field sensor for detecting a presence of an electric field.

116. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes an acoustic sensor for detecting a sound.

117. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a magnetic sensor for detecting a presence of a magnetic field.

118. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a heat sensor for detecting a temperature.

119. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a battery level sensor for detecting a battery level.

120. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of said plurality of physical devices includes a consumption sensor for detecting a value of consumption.

121. The communications network as set forth in claim 99 wherein each of the plurality of physical devices includes a cover sensor for detecting a continual presence of a cover.

122. A communications network for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules, with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules including NSM-transmitter means for transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data generated by a respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal at a time pseudorandomly selected within a predetermined time period;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced, with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two of said plurality of remote cell nodes, for receiving the transmitted NSM-packet signal by said at least two remote cell nodes, with each remote cell node including

RCN-receiver means for receiving a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, respectively, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of said plurality of network service modules;

RCN-memory means for storing the received multiplicity of NSM-packet signals; and

RCN-transmitter means, responsive to a first polling signal, for transmitting the stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal;

a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT), with each intermediate data terminal including

IDT-transmitter means for transmitting the first polling signal to said plurality of remote cell nodes;

IDT-receiver means for receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, respectively, with the multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a subset of said plurality of remote cell nodes;

IDT-processing means for decoding the multiplicity of RCN-packet signals as a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

IDT-memory means for storing the received multiplicity of RCN-packet signals, with said IDT-transmitter means responsive to a second polling signal for transmitting the stored multiplicity of RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having CDT-transmitter means for transmitting the second polling signal to said plurality of intermediate data terminals, CDT-receiver means for receiving a plurality of IDT-packet signals, CDT-processing means for decoding the plurality of IDT-packet signals as the plurality of NSM data, and CDT-memory means for storing the plurality of NSM data in a data base.

123. The communications network as set forth in claim 122 wherein said CDT-processing means correlates the plurality of NSM data.

124. The communications network as set forth in claim 122 or 123 wherein said CDT-processing means identifies duplicate NSM data from the plurality of NSM data.

125. The communications network as set forth in claim 124 wherein said CDT-processing means deletes the duplicate NSM data from the plurality of NSM data.

126. The communications network as set forth in claim 122 wherein said IDT-processing means correlates the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

127. The communications network as set forth in claim 126 wherein said IDT-processing means identifies a duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

128. The communications network as set forth in claim 127 wherein said IDT-processing means deletes the duplicate NSM-packet signal from the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals.

129. The communications network as set forth in claim 122 wherein said IDT-processing means identifies duplicate NSM data from the plurality of NSM data.

130. The communications network as set forth in claim 122 wherein said RCN-processing means identifies redundant NSM data from the plurality of NSM data.

131. The communications network as set forth in claim 130 wherein said RCN-processing means cancels the redundant NSM data from the plurality of NSM data.

132. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by a plurality of remote cell nodes located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes for receiving NSM-data by said at least two remote cell nodes, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving at a remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

storing the NSM-packet signal;

receiving at the remote cell node a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules;

storing a plurality of NSM-packet signals at the remote cell node, the plurality of NSM-packet signals including the NSM-packet signal and the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

transmitting from the remote cell node the stored plurality of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal; and

receiving the RCN-packet signal at a central data terminal (CDT).

133. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to the remote cell node;

receiving the acknowledgement signal at the remote cell node;

retaining the stored plurality of NSM-packet signals;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

overwriting the stored plurality of NSM-packet signals.

134. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to the remote cell node;

receiving, at the remote cell node, the acknowledgement signal; and

deleting by overwriting, at the remote cell node, the stored plurality of NSM-packet signals.

135. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a redundant NSM-packet signal from the plurality of NSM-packet signals;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

deleting, by overwriting, the redundant NSM-packet signal with the additional received NSM-packet signals.

136. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of RCN-packet signals at the central data terminal;

correlating the NSM data embedded in the plurality of RCN-packet signals;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

deleting the redundant NSM data.

137. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the step of:

sending a plurality of communications signals to the remote cell node.

138. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the step of:

sending a command signal to the remote cell node.

139. The method as set forth in claim 132, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a command signal, transmitted from the remote cell node, at one of the multiplicity of network service modules; and

setting, in response to the command signal, a carrier frequency of a transmitter located at said network service module.

141. The method as set forth in claim 132 or 140, further comprising the steps of:

correlating the plurality of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a redundant NSM-packet signal from the plurality of NSM-packet signals;

deleting the redundant NSM-packet signal.

140. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by a plurality of remote cell nodes located within the geographic area and spaced with each network service module of the plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes for receiving NSM-data by at least two remote cell nodes, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving, at a first remote cell node (RCN), the NSM-packet signal;

storing the NSM-packet signal at the first remote cell node;

receiving at the first remote cell node, a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules;

storing a plurality of NSM-packet signals at the first remote cell node, the plurality of NSM-packet signals including the NSM-packet signal and the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

transmitting, from the first remote cell node, the stored plurality of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal; and

receiving the RCN-packet signal at a central data terminal (CDT).

142. The method as set forth in claim 140, further comprising the steps of:

sending an acknowledgement signal to the first remote cell node;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the acknowledgement signal; and

deleting by overwriting, at the first remote cell node, the stored plurality of NSM-packet signals.

143. The method as set forth in claim 140, further comprising the step of eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, on the acknowledgement signal sent to the first remote cell node.

144. The method as set forth in claim 140, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring, by a second remote cell node, the RCN-packet signal transmitted by the first remote cell node;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the transmitted RCN-packet signal to NSM data stored at the second remote cell node;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

cancelling the redundant NSM data.

145. The method as set forth in claim 140, further comprising the steps of:

correlating the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

identifying a redundant NSM-packet signal from the plurality of NSM-packet signals;

receiving additional NSM-packet signals from the multiplicity of network service modules; and

deleting, by overwriting, the redundant NSM-packet signal with the additional received NSM-packet signals.

146. A communications network for collecting a plurality of network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices located within a geographic area, comprising:

a plurality of network service modules, with each network service module coupled to a respective physical device generating respective NSM data, with each network service module including an NSM transmitter for transmitting by wireless radio at a carrier frequency the respective NSM data from the respective physical device as an NSM-packet signal at a time pseudorandomly selected within a predetermined time period;

a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN) located within the geographic area and spaced, with each network service module of said plurality of network service modules within a range of at least two remote cell nodes of said plurality of remote cell nodes, for simultaneously receiving the transmitted NSM-packet signal by said at least two remote cell nodes of said plurality of remote cell nodes, with each remote cell node including

an RCN receiver for receiving a multiplicity of NSM-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of network service modules, respectively, with the multiplicity of network service modules including a subset of said plurality of network service modules; and

an RCN transmitter for transmitting by wireless radio the multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal;

a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT), with each intermediate data terminal including

an IDT receiver for receiving a multiplicity of RCN-packet signals transmitted from a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, respectively, with the multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a subset of said plurality of remote cell nodes; and

an IDT transmitter for transmitting the multiplicity of RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal; and

a central data terminal (CDT) having a a CDT receiver for receiving a plurality of IDT-packet signals, a CDT processor for decoding the plurality of IDT-packet signals as the plurality of NSM data, and a CDT memory for storing the plurality of NSM data in a data base.

147. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by at least two remote cell nodes located within the geographic area, for transferring the NSM data to at least one intermediate data terminal (IDT), and for eliminating redundant NSM data, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a first remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a second remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

storing, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

polling the first remote cell node, from the intermediate data terminal, using a first polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the first polling signal, the first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmitted first RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted first RCN-packet signal at the intermediate data terminal;

sending, responsive to receiving the transmitted first RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal to the first remote cell node;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmitted acknowledgement signal;

cancelling, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal from the second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a redundant signal;

polling the second remote cell node, from the intermediate data terminal, using a second polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the second polling signal, the second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted second RCN-packet signal at the intermediate data terminal; and

sending, responsive to receiving the transmitted second RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal to the second remote cell node.

148. The method as set forth in claim 147 further comprising the steps of:

decoding, at the intermediate data terminal, the first RCN-packet signal as a first plurality of NSM data;

decoding, at the intermediate data terminal, the second RCN-packet signal as a second plurality of NSM data;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

deleting redundant NSM data.

152. The method as set forth in claim 148 or 151 wherein the step of identifying redundant NSM data includes the step of comparing the first plurality of NSM data to the second plurality of NSM data.

149. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by at least two remote cell nodes located within the geographic area, for transferring NSM data to at least one intermediate data terminal (IDT), and for eliminating redundant NSM data, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a first remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a second remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

storing, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

transmitting, to the intermediate data terminal, the first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

monitoring, by the second remote cell node, the transmitted first RCN-packet signal;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

cancelling redundant NSM data.

150. The method as set forth in claim 149 wherein the step of identifying redundant NSM data includes the step of comparing the transmitted first RCN-packet signal to NSM data stored at the second remote cell node.

151. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by at least two remote cell nodes located within the geographic area, for transferring NSM data to at least one intermediate data terminal (IDT), and for eliminating redundant NSM data, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a first remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a second remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

storing, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

polling the first remote cell node, from the intermediate data terminal, using a first polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the first polling signal, the first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted first RCN-packet signal at the intermediate data terminal;

polling the second remote cell node, from the intermediate data terminal, using a second polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the second polling signal, the second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted second RCN-packet signal at the intermediate data terminal;

decoding, at the intermediate data terminal, the first RCN-packet signal as a first plurality of NSM data;

decoding, at the intermediate data terminal, the second RCN-packet signal as a second plurality of NSM data;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

deleting the redundant NSM data.

153. The method as set forth in claim 151 further comprising, after the step of transmitting the first RCN-packet signal, the steps of:

monitoring, by the second remote cell node, the transmitted first RCN-packet signal;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

cancelling redundant NSM data.

159. The method as set forth in claim 153 or 158 wherein the step of identifying redundant NSM data includes the step of comparing the transmitted first RCN-packet signal to NSM-data stored at the second remote cell node.

154. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by at least two remote cell nodes located within the geographic area, for transferring the NSM data to a central data terminal (CDT), and for eliminating redundant NSM data, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a first remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a second remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

storing, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

polling the first remote cell node, from the central data terminal, using a first polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the first polling signal, the first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmitted first RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted first RCN-packet signal at the central data terminal;

sending, responsive to receiving the transmitted first RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal to the first remote cell node;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmitted acknowledgement signal;

deleting, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal from the second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

polling the second remote cell node, from the central data terminal, using a second polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the second polling signal, the second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted second RCN-packet signal at the central data terminal; and

sending, responsive to receiving the transmitted second RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal to the second remote cell node.

155. The method as set forth in claim 154 further comprising the steps of:

decoding, at the central data terminal, the first RCN-packet signal as a first plurality of NSM data;

decoding, at the central data terminal, the second RCN-packet signal as a second plurality of NSM data; and

deleting redundant NSM data.

157. The method as set forth in claim 155 or 156 wherein the step of identifying redundant NSM data includes the step of comparing the first plurality of NSM data to the second plurality of NSM data.

156. A method for collecting network service module (NSM) data generated by a plurality of physical devices coupled to a plurality of network service modules, respectively, located within a geographic area, by at least two remote cell nodes located within the geographic area, for transferring NSM data to at least one central data terminal (CDT), and for eliminating redundant NSM data, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by wireless radio respective NSM data, generated by a respective physical device using a respective network service module, as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a first remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

receiving by a second remote cell node (RCN) the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

storing, at the second remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal as part of a second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals;

polling the first remote cell node, from the central data terminal, using a first polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the first polling signal, the first stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted first RCN-packet signal at the central data terminal;

polling the second remote cell node, from the central data terminal, using a second polling signal;

transmitting, responsive to the second polling signal, the second stored multiplicity of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

receiving the transmitted second RCN-packet signal at the central data terminal;

decoding, at the central data terminal, the first RCN-packet signal as a first plurality of NSM data;

decoding, at the central data terminal, the second RCN-packet signal as a second plurality of NSM data; and

deleting the redundant NSM data.

158. The method as set forth in claim 156 further comprising, after the step of transmitting the first RCN-packet signal, the steps

monitoring, by the second remote cell node, the transmitted first RCN-packet signal;

identifying redundant NSM data; and

cancelling redundant NSM data.