Communications protocol for remote data generating stations

• US 5,673,252 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Marcynuk, Don, Holowick, Erwin, Johnson, Dennis F.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DANG T
• Application Number:
  US08/451,386
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 370/95.1, 370/95.2, 370/95.3, 370/105.1, 370/105.4, 370/105.2, 370/94.1, 370/94.2, 370/94.3, 370/60, 370/60.1, 370/61, 370/100.1, 370/110.1, 370/85.1, 370/85.6, 370/85.08, 375/354, 375/355, 375/356, 375/357, 375/359, 375/363, 375/365, 375/366, 375/372, 340/825.5, 340/825.51, 340/825.52, 340/825.08, 455/13.3, 455/13.4, 455/51.1, 455/54.2, 455/58.1
• US Class Current: 370/449
• 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: 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: H04Q 9/14 Calling by using pulses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• 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

A method for communicating data between a central data terminal, a plurality of intermediate data terminals, a plurality of remote cell nodes, and a plurality of network service modules, using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels. The plurality of intermediate data terminals transmit IDT-synchronization signals to the plurality of remote cell nodes on a first channel of the frame. The plurality of remote cell nodes transmit RCN-synchronization signals to the plurality of network service modules on a second channel of the frame. The network service modules transmit data from a plurality of physical devices, using radio waves, as NSM-packet signals to the plurality of remote cell nodes using a fourth channel of the frame. The plurality of remote cell nodes store the incoming NSM-packet signals and, responsive to a first polling signal transmitted in a third channel of the frame from a particular intermediate data terminal, transmit the NSM-packet signals to the intermediate data terminal as RCN-packet signals on a fifth channel of the frame. The intermediate data terminal in turn stores the RCN-packet signals received from the plurality of remote cell nodes and, responsive to a second polling signal transmitted from the central data terminal on a sixth channel of the frame, transmits the RCN-packet signals as an IDT-packet signal on a seventh channel of the frame to the central data terminal.

Claims

1. A method for communicating between an intermediate data terminal (IDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the plurality of remote cell nodes, an IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in a second channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to a first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the IDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the IDT-synchronization signal;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the first polling signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in a third channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the intermediate data terminal, responsive to the first polling signal, an RCN-packet signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the IDT-sychronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, a NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at a first network service module, data from a first physical device; and

transmitting, using radio waves, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the RCN-synchronization signal synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module to at least one of the plurality of remote cell nodes, a first NSM-packet signal containing the data from the first physical device.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the steps of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to a second network service module, a command signal; and

transmitting, using radio waves, synchronized to the RCN-synchronization signal and responsive to the command signal, in a seventh channel of the frame, from the second network service module to the first remote cell node, a second NSM-packet signal.

3. A method for communicating between an intermediate data terminal (IDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the plurality of remote cell nodes, an IDT-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the IDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at a first network service module, data from a first physical device;

transmitting, using radio waves, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the RCN-synchronization signal synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module to a first remote cell node, a first NSM-packet signal containing the data from the first physical device;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal;

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

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a second channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

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

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal and responsive to the first polling signal, in a third channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the intermediate data terminal, a plurality of stored NSM-packet signals as an RCN-packet signal.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, further including the steps of:

transmitting, using radio waves, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to a second network service module, a command signal; and

transmitting, using radio waves, synchronized to the RCN-synchronization signal and responsive to the command signal, in a seventh channel of the frame, from the second network service module to the first remote cell node, a second NSM-packet signal.

5. A method for communicating between an intermediate data terminal (IDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the plurality of remote cell nodes, an IDT-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the IDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at a first network service module, data from a first physical device;

transmitting, using radio waves, at a pseudorandom time within a predetermined time period, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the RCN-synchronization signal synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module, an NSM-packet signal containing the data from the first physical device, to a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, said multiplicity of remote cell nodes being a subset of the plurality of remote cell nodes and said multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a first remote cell node;

receiving, at the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the NSM-packet signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in a second channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

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

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a third channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the intermediate data terminal, responsive to the first polling signal, a first plurality of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the first remote cell node, responsive to receiving the first RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, further including the steps of:

transmitting, in a real-time request channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the first network service module, an IDT-request for a set of requested data;

receiving, at the first network service module, the IDT-request; and

transmitting, responsive to the IDT-request and in real-time, from the first network service module to the intermediate data terminal, the set of requested data.

8. The method as set forth in claim 6, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second remote cell node, said second remote cell node being within the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, to the first polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmission of the first plurality of NSM-packet signals;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the first plurality of NSM-packet signals to a second plurality of NSM-packet signals, said second plurality of NSM-packet signals being stored by the second remote tell node in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of NSM-packet signals.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals from the memory.

10. The method as set forth in claim 8, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

11. The method as set forth in claim 8, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in a seventh channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, a second polling signal;

receiving, at the second remote cell node, the second polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a eighth channel of the frame, from the second remote cell node to the intermediate data terminal, responsive to the second polling signal, the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of NSM-packet signals, as a second RCN-packet signal.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, in an ninth channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, responsive to receiving the second RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

13. The method as set forth in claim 5, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the intermediate data terminal from a second remote cell node, a second plurality of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

comparing, at the intermediate data terminal, the second plurality of NSM-packet signals to the first plurality of NSM-packet signals; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of NSM-packet signals.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

16. The method as set forth in claim 7, further including the steps of:

detecting, at the first network service module, an alarm condition; and

transmitting, responsive to detecting the alarm condition, in the real-time request channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the intermediate data terminal, the alarm condition.

17. A method for communicating between a central data terminal (CDT), a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the plurality of intermediate data terminals to the plurality of remote cell nodes, an IDT-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the IDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit no the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at a first network service module, data from a first physical device;

transmitting, using radio waves, at a pseudorandom time within a predetermined time period, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the RCN-synchronization signal synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module, an NSM-packet signal containing the data from the first physical device, to a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, said multiplicity of remote cell nodes being a subset of the plurality of remote cell nodes and said multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a first remote cell node;

receiving, at the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the NSM-packet signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a second channel of the frame, from a first intermediate data terminal to the first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the first polling signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a third channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the first intermediate data terminal, responsive to the first polling signal, a first plurality of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the first intermediate data terminal, in a sixth channel of the frame, a second polling signal;

receiving, at the first intermediate data terminal, the second polling signal; and

transmitting, in a seventh channel of the frame, from the first intermediate data terminal to the central data terminal, responsive to the second polling signal, a first plurality of RCN-packet signals as a first IDT-packet signal.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the central data terminal, the first IDT-packet signal; and

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the first intermediate data terminal, responsive to receiving the first IDT-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

19. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including the step of:

transmitting, in a real-time request channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first network service module, a CDT-request for a set of requested data;

receiving, at the first network service module, the CDT-request; and

transmitting, responsive to the CDT-request and in real-time, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the set of requested data.

20. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second remote cell node, to the first polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmission of the first plurality of NSM-packet signals;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the first plurality of NSM-packet signals to a second plurality of NSM-packet signals, said second plurality of NSM-packet signals being stored by the second remote cell node in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of NSM-packet signals.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals from the memory.

22. The method as set forth in claim 20, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

23. The method as set forth in claim 20, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in an eighth channel of the frame, from the first intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second remote cell node, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a ninth channel of the frame, from the second remote cell node to the first intermediate data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of NSM-packet signals, as a second RCN-packet signal.

24. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second intermediate data terminal, to the second polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second intermediate data terminal, to the transmission of the first plurality of RCN-packet signals;

comparing, by the second intermediate data terminal, the first plurality of RCN-packet signals to a second plurality of RCN-packet signals, said second plurality of RCN-packet signals being stored by the second intermediate data terminal in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of RCN-packet signals common to both the first plurality of RCN-packet signals and the second plurality of RCN-packet signals.

25. The method as set forth in claim 24, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals from the memory.

26. The method as set forth in claim 24, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals.

27. The method as set forth in claim 24, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in an eighth channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the second intermediate data terminal, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second intermediate data terminal, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a ninth channel of the frame, from the second intermediate data terminal to the central data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, the second plurality of stored RCN-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of RCN-packet signals, as a second IDT-packet signal.

28. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including the steps of:

transmitting, from the central data terminal to a second intermediate data terminal, in an eighth channel of the frame, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second intermediate data terminal, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, in a ninth channel of the frame, from the second intermediate data terminal to the central data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, a second plurality of RCN-packet signals as a second IDT-packet signal.

29. The method as set forth in claim 28, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the central data terminal, the second IDT-packet signal; and

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the second intermediate data terminal, responsive to receiving the second IDT-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

30. The method as set forth in claim 28, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the central data terminal from the second intermediate data terminal, the second plurality of RCN-packet signals;

comparing, at the central data terminal, the second plurality of RCN-packet signals to the first plurality of RCN-packet signals; and

identifying a third plurality of RCN-packet signals common to both the first plurality of RCN-packet signals and the second plurality of RCN-packet signals.

31. The method as set forth in claim 30, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals.

32. The method as set forth in claim 30, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals.

33. The method as set forth in claim 19, further including the steps of:

detecting, at the first network service module, an alarm condition; and

transmitting, responsive to detecting the alarm condition, in the real-time request channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the alarm condition.

34. A method for communicating between a central data terminal (CDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the plurality of remote cell nodes, a CDT-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the CDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at etch of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the CDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the CDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the CDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at a first network service module, data from a first physical device;

transmitting, using radio waves, at a pseudorandom time within a predetermined time period, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the RCN-synchronization signal synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module, an NSM-packet signal containing the data from the first physical device, to a multiplicity of remote cell nodes, said multiplicity of remote cell nodes being a subset of the plurality of remote cell nodes and said multiplicity of remote cell nodes including a first remote cell node;

receiving, at the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the NSM-packet signal;

storing, at the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, the NSM-packet signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal in a second channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

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

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal, in a third channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the central data terminal, responsive to the first polling signal, a first plurality of NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal.

35. The method as set forth in claim 34, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first remote cell node, responsive to receiving the first RNC-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

36. The method as set forth in claim 34, further including the step of:

transmitting, in a real-time request channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first network service module, a CDT-request for a set of requested data;

receiving, at the first network service module, the CDT-request; and

transmitting, responsive to the CDT-request and in real-time, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the set of requested data.

37. The method as set forth in claim 34, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second remote cell node, said second remote cell node being within the multiplicity of remote cell nodes, to the first polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmission of the first plurality of NSM-packet signals;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the first plurality of NSM-packet signals to a second plurality of NSM-packet signals, said second plurality of NSM-packet signals being stored by the second remote cell node in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of NSM-packet signals.

38. The method as set forth in claim 37, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals from the memory.

39. The method as set forth in claim 37, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

40. The method as set forth in claim 37, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal in a seventh channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the second remote cell node, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second remote cell node, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal, in a eighth channel of the frame, from the second remote cell node to the central data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of NSM-packet signals, as a second RCN-packet signal.

41. The method as set forth in claim 40, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the second remote cell node, responsive to receiving the second packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

42. The method as set forth in claim 34, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the central data terminal from a second remote cell node, a second plurality of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

comparing, at the central data terminal, the second plurality of NSM-packet signals to the first plurality of NSM-packet signals; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of NSM-packet signals.

43. The method as set forth in claim 42, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

44. The method as set forth in claim 42, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

45. The method as set forth in claim 36, further including the steps of:

detecting, at the first network service module, an alarm condition; and

transmitting, responsive to detecting the alarm condition, in the real-time request channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the alarm condition.

46. A method for communicating between an intermediate data terminal (IDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the plurality of remote cell nodes, an IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a second channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to a first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the IDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a third channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at the plurality of network service modules, data from a plurality of physical devices, respectively;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to a first network service module, a command signal;

receiving, at the first network service module, the command signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, synchronized to the RCN-synchronization signal and responsive to the command signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the first remote cell node, data as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal;

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

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

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal and responsive to the first polling signal, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the intermediate data terminal, a first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal.

47. The method as set forth in claim 46, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, in an seventh channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the first remote cell node, responsive to receiving the first RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

48. The method as set forth in claim 46, further including the step of:

transmitting, in a real-time request channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the first network service module, an IDT-request for a set of requested data;

receiving, at the first network service module, the IDT-request; and

transmitting, responsive to the IDT-request and in real-time, from the first network service module to the intermediate data terminal, the set of requested data.

49. The method as set forth in claim 46, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second remote cell node, to the first polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmission of the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals to a second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, said second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals being stored by the second remote cell node in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals.

50. The method as set forth in claim 49, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals from the memory.

51. The method as set forth in claim 49, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

52. The method as set forth in claim 49, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in an eighth channel of the frame, from the intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, a second polling signal;

receiving, at the second remote cell node, the second polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a ninth channel of the frame, from the second remote cell node to the intermediate data terminal, responsive to the second polling signal, the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of NSM-packet signals, as a second RCN-packet signal.

53. The method as set forth in claim 52, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, from the intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, responsive to receiving the second RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

54. The method as set forth in claim 48, further including the steps of:

detecting, at the first network service module, an alarm condition; and

transmitting, responsive to detecting the alarm condition, in the real-time request channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the intermediate data terminal, the alarm condition.

55. A method for communicating between a central data terminal (CDT), a plurality of intermediate data terminals (IDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the plurality of intermediate data terminals to the plurality of remote cell nodes, an IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a second channel of the frame, from a first intermediate data terminal to a first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the IDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the IDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a third channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the IDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the RCN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at the plurality of network service modules, data from a plurality of physical devices, respectively;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to a first network service module, a command signal;

receiving, at the first network service module, the command signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, synchronized to the RCN-synchronization signal and responsive to the command signal, in a fifth channel, from the first network service module to the first remote cell node, data as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal;

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

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the first polling signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal and responsive to the first polling signal, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the first intermediate data terminal, a first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal;

transmitting, in a seventh channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first intermediate data terminal, a second polling signal;

receiving, at the first intermediate data terminal, the second polling signal; and

transmitting, responsive to the second polling signal, in an eighth channel of the frame, from the first intermediate data terminal to the central data terminal, a first plurality of RCN-packet signals as a first IDT-packet signal.

56. The method as set forth in claim 55, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, from the first intermediate data terminal to the first remote cell node, responsive to receiving the first RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

57. The method as set forth in claim 55, further including the step of:

transmitting, in a real-time request channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first network service module, a CDT-request for a set of requested data;

receiving, at the first network service module, the CDT-request; and

transmitting, responsive to the CDT-request and in real-time, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the set of requested data.

58. The method as set forth in claim 55, further including the steps of:

receiving, an the central data terminal, the first IDT-packet signal; and

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the first intermediate data terminal, responsive to receiving the first IDT-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

59. The method as set forth in claim 55, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second remote cell node, to the first polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmission of the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals to a second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, said second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals being stored by the second remote cell node in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals.

60. The method as set forth in claim 59, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals from the memory.

61. The method as set forth in claim 59, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

62. The method as set forth in claim 59, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in a ninth channel of the frame, from the first intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second remote cell node, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a tenth channel of the frame, from the second remote cell node to the first intermediate data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of NSM-packet signals, as a second RCN-packet signal.

63. The method as set forth in claim 62, further including the steps of:

receiving, an the first intermediate data terminal, the second RCN-packet signal; and

transmitting, from the first intermediate data terminal to the second remote cell node, responsive to receiving the second RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

64. The method as set forth in claim 55, further including the steps of:

transmitting, from the central data terminal to a second intermediate data terminal, in a ninth channel of the frame, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second intermediate data terminal, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, in a tenth channel of the frame, from the second intermediate data terminal to the central data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, a second plurality of RCN-packet signals as a second IDT-packet signal.

65. The method as set forth in claim 64, further including the steps of:

receiving at the central data terminal, the second IDT-packet signal; and

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the second intermediate data terminal, responsive to receiving the second IDT-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

66. The method as set forth in claim 64, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the central data terminal from the second intermediate data terminal, the second plurality of RCN-packet signals;

comparing, at the central data terminal, the second plurality of RCN-packet signals to the first plurality of RCN-packet signals; and

identifying a third plurality of RCN-packet signals common to both the first plurality of RCN-packet signals and the second plurality of RCN-packet signals.

67. The method as set forth in claim 66, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals.

68. The method as set forth in claim 66, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals.

69. The method as set forth in claim 55, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second intermediate data terminal, to the second polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second intermediate data terminal, to the transmission of the first plurality of RCN-packet signals;

comparing, by the second intermediate data terminal, the first plurality of RCN-packet signals to a second plurality of RCN-packet signals, said second plurality of RCN-packet signals being stored by the second intermediate data terminal in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of RCN-packet signals common to both the first plurality of RCN-packet signals and the second plurality of RCN-packet signals.

70. The method as set forth in claim 69, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals from the memory.

71. The method as set forth in claim 69, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of RCN-packet signals.

72. The method as set forth in claim 69, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal in a ninth channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the second intermediate data terminal, a third polling signal;

receiving, at the second intermediate data terminal, the third polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the IDT-synchronization signal, in a tenth channel of the frame, from the second intermediate data terminal to the central data terminal, responsive to the third polling signal, the second plurality of stored RCN-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of RCN-packet signals, as a second IDT-packet signal.

73. The method as set forth in claim 57, further including the steps of:

detecting, at the first network service module, an alarm condition; and

transmitting, responsive to detecting the alarm condition, in the real-time request channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the alarm condition.

74. A method for communicating between a central data terminal (CDT), a plurality of remote cell nodes (RCN), and a plurality of network service modules (NSM), using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels, comprising the steps, during each frame, of:

transmitting, in a first channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the plurality of remote cell nodes, a CDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal, in a second channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to a first remote cell node, a first polling signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, the CDT-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of remote cell nodes, responsive to receiving the CDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-timing circuit to the CDT-synchronization signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a third channel of the frame, from each of the plurality of remote cell nodes to the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving and synchronizing to the CDT-synchronization signal, an RCN-synchronization signal;

receiving, at each of the plurality of network service modules, the ECN-synchronization signal;

synchronizing, at each of the plurality of network service modules, responsive to receiving the RCN-synchronization signal, an NSM-timing circuit to the RCN-synchronization signal;

collecting, at the plurality of network service modules, data from a plurality of physical devices, respectively;

transmitting, using radio waves, in a fourth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to a first network service module, a command signal;

receiving, at the first network service module, the command signal;

transmitting, using radio waves, synchronized to the RCN-synchronization signal and responsive to the command signal, in a fifth channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the first remote cell node, data as an NSM-packet signal;

receiving, at the first remote cell node, the NSM-packet signal;

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

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

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal and responsive to the first polling signal, in a sixth channel of the frame, from the first remote cell node to the central data terminal, a first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals as a first RCN-packet signal.

75. The method as set forth in claim 74, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, in an seventh channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first remote cell node, responsive to receiving the first RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

76. The method as set forth in claim 74, further including the step of:

transmitting, in a real-time request channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the first network service module, a CDT-request for a set of requested data;

receiving, at the first network service module, the CDT-request; and

transmitting, responsive to the CDT-request and in real-time, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the set of requested data.

77. The method as set forth in claim 74, further including the steps of:

eavesdropping, by a second remote cell node, to the first polling signal;

eavesdropping, by the second remote cell node, to the transmission of the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals;

comparing, by the second remote cell node, the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals to a second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, said second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals being stored by the second remote cell node in a memory; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of stored NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals.

78. The method as set forth in claim 77, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals from the memory.

79. The method as set forth in claim 77, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

80. The method as set forth in claim 77, further including the step of:

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal in an eighth channel of the frame, from the central data terminal to the second remote cell node, a second polling signal;

receiving, at the second remote cell node, the second polling signal; and

transmitting, synchronized to the CDT-synchronization signal, in a ninth channel of the frame, from the second remote cell node to the central data terminal, responsive to the second polling signal, the second plurality of stored NSM-packet signals, but not including the third plurality of NSM-packet signals, as a second RCN-packet signal.

81. The method as set forth in claim 80, further including the steps of:

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

transmitting, from the central data terminal to the second remote cell node, responsive to receiving the second RCN-packet signal, an acknowledgement signal.

82. The method as set forth in claim 74, further including the steps of:

receiving, at the central data terminal, from a second remote cell node, a second plurality of NSM-packet signals as a second RCN-packet signal;

comparing, at the central data terminal, the second plurality of NSM-packet signals to the first plurality of NSM-packet signals; and

identifying a third plurality of NSM-packet signals common to both the first plurality of NSM-packet signals and the second plurality of NSM-packet signals.

83. The method as set forth in claim 82, further including the step of:

deleting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

84. The method as set forth in claim 82, further including the step of:

overwriting the third plurality of NSM-packet signals.

85. The method as set forth in claim 76, further including the steps of:

detecting, at the first network service module, an alarm condition; and

transmitting, responsive to detecting the alarm condition, in the real-time request channel of the frame, from the first network service module to the central data terminal, the alarm condition.