Efficient firmware update in a narrow bandwidth system
First Claim
1. A method of updating firmware in a plurality of endpoints configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automated meter reading (AMR), comprising:
- sending an announcement of a firmware update to the plurality of endpoints configured as the AMI for AMR;
multicasting the firmware update to the plurality of endpoints a plurality of times, as indicated by the announcement, wherein multicasting the firmware update comprises multicasting according to an interference matrix that segregates multicast times of nearby data collectors to reduce collisions of packets;
receiving indications of missing blocks from at least one endpoint of a plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update; and
sending missing blocks to the at least one endpoint of the plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update according to the indications.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An advanced metering infrastructure may be configured for automated meter reading, such as of utility (electric, natural gas, etc.) meters. Within a network, a data collector communicates with, and receives meter data from, a plurality of endpoints. Firmware on the endpoints may be updated by transmission, from the data collector, of a new firmware image. In one example, the data collector sends an announcement of a firmware update to the plurality of endpoints. At a time indicated by the announcement, the data collector multicasts the firmware update a plurality of times. The data collector then receives indications from a plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update. In response, the data collector sends missing blocks to the plurality of endpoints according to the indications.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of updating firmware in a plurality of endpoints configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automated meter reading (AMR), comprising:
-
sending an announcement of a firmware update to the plurality of endpoints configured as the AMI for AMR; multicasting the firmware update to the plurality of endpoints a plurality of times, as indicated by the announcement, wherein multicasting the firmware update comprises multicasting according to an interference matrix that segregates multicast times of nearby data collectors to reduce collisions of packets; receiving indications of missing blocks from at least one endpoint of a plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update; and sending missing blocks to the at least one endpoint of the plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update according to the indications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A data collector, comprising:
-
a radio; and a processing unit, comprising; a processor; and a memory having instructions readable by the processor defining functionality in a plurality of modules, the modules comprising; a firmware update module, configured to multicast, via the radio, blocks of a firmware image to endpoints within an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) configured for automated meter reading (AMR), wherein the blocks of the firmware image are multicast at least in part by segregating times at which data is multicast by the data collector and by data collectors near the data collector; a missing blocks checking module, configured to determine which blocks of the firmware image were not received and which endpoints did not receive them; and a missing blocks replacement module, configured to send, via the radio, the blocks not received to the endpoints which did not receive them. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An endpoint, comprising:
-
a processing unit configured to execute one or more modules; a metrology module, configured to receive metering information from at least one meter associated with the endpoint and to transmit the metering information upstream within an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) configured for automated meter reading (AMR); a firmware block assembly module, configured to receive firmware blocks sent as part of a multicast performed according to an interference matrix that segregates multicast times of data collectors to reduce collisions of packets, and configured to assemble the received firmware blocks into a firmware image; a firmware inventory module, configured to detect missing blocks of the firmware image; and a missing blocks request module, configured to disclose identities of the detected missing blocks, the disclosure made in response to transmission of the metering information upstream. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
Specification