Apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus (100, 1100, 1200a-g) for emulating a wireless mesh network. The apparatus includes a plurality of monopole antennas (105, 1105) and at least one connector (110, 1100) for conductively connecting the plurality of monopole antennas to at least one communication device (220). When the monopole antennas are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating in the communication frequency range of 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, each monopole antenna is positioned within the near-field region of a neighboring monopole antenna. Systems (400, 500) for emulating a wireless mesh network and associated methods for emulating a wireless mesh network are also disclosed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority from UK Patent Application Serial No. 2213236.9, filed September 9, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Technical Field TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure is in the field of devices, systems, and methods for emulating wireless mesh networks, particularly wireless mesh networks of metering devices such as smart meters. [Background technology]

[0003] Metering devices may be deployed in businesses, homes, and other premises to measure consumption of resources such as electricity, water, and gas.

[0004] While some metering devices may provide only basic measurement functionality, other metering devices, known in the art as "smart meters," may provide more advanced functionality, such as control and communication capabilities.

[0005] In one example, some metering devices may be configured to communicate information regarding resource consumption. In other examples, some metering devices may be configured to receive information, such as billing information, and control signals, such as service disconnection control signals. In some examples, transmission of information regarding metered resource consumption may facilitate automated billing, reduce operating costs, and may enable advanced analysis of resource consumption.

[0006] In some examples, a metering device may communicate directly with a router or gateway device, while in other examples, a wireless mesh network may be formed from multiple metering devices, where each metering device operates as an interconnected node within the wireless mesh network.

[0007] When implemented as a wireless mesh network, metering devices acting as network nodes may relay messages to gateway devices or routers. In one example, messages may be routed along a path by hopping from node to node, e.g., from metering device to metering device, until the message reaches its target destination, e.g., a gateway / router or target metering device.

[0008] Various routing protocols may be implemented in wireless mesh networks to ensure the availability of sufficient data routing paths within the mesh network at any given time. In some examples of wireless mesh networks, paths within the network may be self-forming and / or self-healing, e.g., reconfiguring around blocked paths. Such self-healing may enable routing-based networks to operate when nodes fail or when connections between nodes become unreliable.

[0009] In use, smart metering devices within a wireless mesh network may constantly communicate with each other, for example, to exchange messages or transmit data. In some instances, different nodes within the network may have different hardware and software configurations and therefore support different communication modes. Furthermore, each node may support multiple communication modes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Throughput and reliability are important issues for communication in such wireless mesh networks. For example, if a node is communicating but does not have access to a communication channel, throughput may be affected. Other nodes may already be using the channel for communication, or the channel may be unavailable. Furthermore, variable environmental conditions and in-band interference may result in communication failure in wireless mesh networks.

[0011] Prior to field deployment of such metering devices, it is highly desirable to test and verify the correct operation of the metering devices to form a wireless mesh network. However, due to practical limitations, such testing and verification can be complex, costly, and have limited accuracy.

[0012] In known prior art examples, an array of metering devices may be set up over a relatively large area to emulate a deployment of metering devices in a particular setting, such as a rural or urban deployment. Such validation setups may be complex and incur significant costs, yet may produce results with limited accuracy. In one embodiment, the transmit power and / or receive sensitivity of each metering device in the network may be adapted and / or the antenna of each metering device may be adjusted to attempt to emulate the path loss in a wireless mesh network of a desired configuration, such as a rural or urban-based wireless mesh network.

[0013] It would therefore be desirable to provide a relatively low-complexity and cost-effective means for emulating a deployment of metering devices forming a wireless mesh network, and in particular, such a means would be able to emulate path losses between metering devices that may represent real-world scenarios, thereby increasing the level of confidence in the validation results.

[0014] It is therefore an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present disclosure to avoid or at least mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method for emulating a wireless mesh network. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of monopole antennas; and at least one connector for conductively connecting the plurality of monopole antennas to at least one communication device. When the monopole antennas are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating in a communication frequency range of 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, each monopole antenna is positioned within a near-field region of a neighboring monopole antenna.

[0016] Advantageously, such a device may provide a low-cost and relatively compact means for emulating a wireless mesh network. That is, the length of the monopole antennas and / or the spacing between the monopole antennas, which allows for the emulation of a wireless mesh network operating in the communications frequency range from 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, may be small enough to emulate a complete wireless mesh network using an extremely small device. As an example, the emulation of a wireless mesh network with approximately 1000 monopole antennas may be performed using a device having dimensions in the range of tens of centimeters, compared to tens or hundreds of meters as may be required by the prior art emulation schemes described above.

[0017] Advantageously, the communications frequency range from 3500 MHz to 300 MHz encompasses most of the frequencies currently used for cellular communications and the ISM radio bands currently used for smart metering devices.

[0018] The communication frequency range may be from 1000 MHz to 400 MHz. The communication frequency range may be from 915 MHz to 860 MHz.

[0019] Advantageously, when used by smart metering devices, such coverage encompasses the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Region 2 frequency allocations.

[0020] Each monopole antenna may have a length that corresponds substantially to the length of a quarter wavelength monopole for frequencies within the communications frequency range.

[0021] Advantageously, a quarter wavelength monopole may provide sufficient transmit and receive performance in combination with an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

[0022] It will be appreciated that the length of each monopole antenna may not correspond exactly to a quarter wavelength monopole, and may be slightly longer or shorter than the quarter wavelength of the signal being transmitted / received.

[0023] Furthermore, in an embodiment, the device is designed to emulate a predetermined frequency range, and the length of each monopole antenna may generally be in the region of a quarter wavelength, e.g., between about 7 and 9 centimeters for a device intended to emulate the 915 MHz and 860 MHz communication frequency ranges.

[0024] In another embodiment, the monopole antenna may have a length corresponding substantially to 0.625 of a wavelength, which may advantageously radiate the maximum amount of power horizontally towards nearby monopole antennas.

[0025] The near field of each monopole antenna may be within a region of radius r<<A, where A is the wavelength of the radiation in the communication frequency range.

[0026] The near-field region may be a reactive near-field region.

[0027] Advantageously, by operating in the reactive near-field region, the path loss between each monopole antenna may be maximized, thereby allowing the emulation of the path loss experienced over large wireless distances using a relatively small spacing between the monopole antennas.

[0028] The multiple monopole antennas may be arranged in an array, the multiple monopole antennas may be arranged in an offset grid, or the multiple monopole antennas may be arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0029] The monopole antennas may be arranged such that each monopole antenna extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of a neighboring monopole antenna.

[0030] That is, in some embodiments, the monopole antennas may be essentially identical to one another.

[0031] For wireless signals within the communication frequency range, a path attenuation between a first monopole antenna disposed in a central region of the plurality of monopole antennas and a second monopole antenna of the plurality of monopole antennas may be configured to be between 90 dB and 160 dB. In other embodiments, the path attenuation may be between 100 dB and 150 dB.

[0032] The path attenuation may be determined by selecting the length of each monopole antenna. The path attenuation may be determined by selecting the spacing between each monopole antenna. The path attenuation may be determined by selecting the magnitude of the impedance connected to each monopole antenna. The path attenuation may be determined by selecting the dielectric material disposed between and extending around each monopole antenna.

[0033] Advantageously, by selecting an appropriate path attenuation, path losses representative of real-world scenarios can be replicated, as will be explained in more detail below. In particular, path attenuations between 90 dB and 160 dB may be suitable to represent the basic transmission attenuation in suburban environments, as defined by the site-general model according to ITU-R P.1411-19.

[0034] That is, the disclosed device may be operable as an "air emulation" device to emulate wireless impairments in various environments, such as rural, suburban, and urban, for example.

[0035] The apparatus may include a termination impedance connected to each monopole antenna.

[0036] Advantageously, the termination impedance may help to avoid unwanted resonances experienced by the monopole antenna.

[0037] Furthermore, the magnitude of the termination impedance may be selected to adjust the transmit power and / or receive sensitivity of the monopole antenna.

[0038] The termination impedance of at least one of the plurality of monopole antennas may be different from and / or variable relative to the termination impedance of at least one other of the plurality of monopole antennas.

[0039] Advantageously, a particular monopole antenna may be configured to emulate a pole-mounted device, such as a gateway or router. Indeed, such a device may have a higher effective transmit power and / or receive sensitivity due to its location above ground and away from direct obstructions and interference sources. By adjusting the termination impedance of at least one of the monopole antennas, e.g., reducing attenuation, the effective transmit power and receive sensitivity of at least one of the monopole antennas may be increased, thereby emulating a pole-mounted device relative to the other monopole antennas.

[0040] The device may include a substrate. The plurality of monopole antennas extend from a first side of the substrate. At least one connector may be provided on a second side of the substrate. The substrate may include a ground plane, for example, a conductive ground plane.

[0041] The substrate may be a printed circuit board.

[0042] The apparatus may include a dielectric material disposed between and extending around each monopole antenna.

[0043] The dielectric material may provide structural support to the device and may also prevent damage to the monopole antenna during use.

[0044] The dielectric material can increase the attenuation of RF transmissions between the device's monopole antennas, e.g., increase the effective path loss. Advantageously, this can allow for a relatively small and compact device to emulate the equivalent path loss of a relatively large wireless distance.

[0045] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for emulating a wireless mesh network, the system comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect, and at least one communication device conductively connected to each monopole antenna by at least one connector, the at least one communication device being configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals within a communication frequency range using each monopole antenna.

[0046] The at least one communication device may be configured to operate with data transmission and reception corresponding to use as a smart metering device.

[0047] The at least one communication device may comprise a plurality of communication devices. In one embodiment, A communication device may be connected to each monopole antenna.

[0048] The at least one communication device may be configured to form a wireless mesh network using multiple monopole antennas.

[0049] The system may comprise a plurality of devices according to the first aspect, each device being located immediately adjacent to another one of the plurality of devices.

[0050] Advantageously, multiple devices may be used to increase the amount of monopole antennas in a wireless mesh network, allowing the emulation of large network deployments of metering devices.

[0051] Advantageously, multiple devices may be used to emulate different mesh fringe shapes by arranging each device relative to one another in a configuration that at least approximately provides the desired fringe shape.

[0052] The at least one communication device may comprise at least one modem.

[0053] The system may include one or more processors configured to control at least one communication device to emulate a wireless mesh network between the monopole antennas.

[0054] A communication device connected to one of the monopole antennas may be configured to operate as a gateway device.

[0055] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for emulating a wireless mesh network, the method comprising conductively connecting a plurality of monopole antennas to at least one communication device, wherein when the monopole antennas are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within a communication frequency range of 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, each monopole antenna is positioned within a near-field region of an adjacent monopole antenna.

[0056] The method also includes configuring at least one communication device to form a wireless mesh network among the plurality of monopole antennas by transmitting and / or receiving signals within a communication frequency range.

[0057] The method may include configuring a communication device connected to one of the monopole antennas to act as a gateway device for the mesh network.

[0058] The method may include increasing the transmission power and / or reception sensitivity of a monopole antenna that acts as a gateway device relative to other monopole antennas of the plurality of monopole antennas.

[0059] The foregoing summary is intended to be merely illustrative and non-limiting. The present disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects, embodiments, or features, whether specifically described (including in the claims) in combination or separately, separately or in various combinations. It should be understood that the features defined above for any aspect of the present disclosure, or the features defined below for any particular embodiment of the present disclosure, may be utilized alone or in combination with any other defined feature in any other aspect or embodiment, or to form further aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1a] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1b] 1b shows an alternative view of the device of FIG. 1a; [Figure 1c] 1 illustrates an alternative configuration of a monopole antenna in an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2a] 1 illustrates a plan view of an example of a first additional device comprising multiple communication devices, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2b] 2b shows an alternative view of the first further device of FIG. 2a; [Figure 3a] 1 illustrates a plan view of an example of a second additional device for connecting a plurality of first additional devices, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3b] 3b shows an alternative view of the second further device of FIG. 3a. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary system for emulating a wireless mesh network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 5 illustrates an exemplary system comprising a plurality of the systems of FIG. 4 for emulating a wireless mesh network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]1 is a graph of a propagation model showing the probability of transmission path loss versus distance based on a location-independent model in an urban environment. [Figure 7a] 1 is a graph showing the number of metering devices in a uniform geographic distribution versus expected path loss; [Figure 7b] 1 is a graph showing the number of metering devices in a uniform geographic distribution versus expected path loss; [Figure 8a] 1 shows the interference range for selecting supported PHY modes in a Wi-SUN 1.1 network. [Figure 8b] This shows the communication range for selecting the PHY modes supported in a Wi-SUN 1.1 network. [Figure 9a] 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9b] Path loss distribution of the simulation results at 915 MHz using the model in Figure 9a. [Figure 10] 10 illustrates path loss across another exemplary apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network. [Figure 11a] 1 illustrates an embodiment of injecting a gateway signal into a device for emulating a wireless mesh network. [Figure 11b] A further embodiment of injecting a gateway signal into a device for emulating a wireless mesh network is shown. [Figure 12a] 1 shows a first configuration comprising multiple devices for emulating a wireless mesh network. [Figure 12b] 1 shows a second configuration comprising multiple devices for emulating a wireless mesh network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] 1a shows a cross-sectional view of an apparatus 100 for emulating a wireless mesh network. The apparatus 100 may provide a component of a system 400, 500 for emulating a wireless mesh network, as described in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0063] The device 100 includes a plurality of monopole antennas 105. In the exemplary cross-sectional view, only eight monopole antennas 105 are shown in one row. In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, substantially more than eight monopole antennas 105 may be implemented in each row. Furthermore, in the exemplary device 100, the monopole antennas 105 are arranged in an 8x12 grid, as represented by the dots shown in Figure 1b, which illustrates an alternative view of the device 100 of Figure 1a. In other exemplary devices, other grid configurations may be implemented.

[0064] While the exemplary device 100 includes a total of 96 monopole antennas, this is for illustrative purposes only, and it will be understood that other embodiments may implement substantially fewer or more monopole antennas than 96. For example, Figure 9a, described below, shows a further embodiment including an area of ​​486 monopole antennas arranged as a 27x18 grid.

[0065] Each monopole antenna 105 comprises a conductive material and has a generally elongated shape. For example, each monopole antenna 105 may be implemented as a pin or a rod. The cross-sectional shape of each monopole antenna 105 may be circular or may have other shapes.

[0066] In a simplified manufacturing technique, the monopole antenna 105 may be formed using one or more strips of through-hole mounted printed circuit board (PCB) headers, where each header may have a non-circular cross-section, such as a square cross-section.

[0067] The monopole antennas 105 are arranged such that each monopole antenna 105 extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of neighboring monopole antennas 105. That is, the exemplary device 100 of Figure 1 comprises an array of monopole antennas 105 arranged parallel to one another.

[0068] The device 100 comprises a substrate 115. A plurality of monopole antennas 105 are mounted on the substrate 115. In one embodiment, the substrate 115 is a PCB.

[0069] The device 100 also includes a plurality of connectors 110 suitable for conductively connecting the plurality of monopole antennas 105 to at least one communication device, as described below. An array of connectors 110 can be seen in FIG. 1b, which shows an alternative view of the device 100.

[0070] 1a, the plurality of monopole antennas 105 may extend from a first side of the substrate 115, and the connector 110 may be provided on a second side of the substrate 115. In other embodiments, the one or more connectors 110 may alternatively and / or additionally be provided on the same side of the substrate 115 as the monopole antennas 105, for example, on a portion of the substrate 115 extending away from the plurality of monopole antennas 105.

[0071] The substrate may include a ground plane (not shown), which may be formed from a conductive layer on or within the substrate 115. The ground plane may extend around the base of each monopole antenna 105.

[0072] Although 24 connectors 110 are shown, it will be appreciated that other amounts of connections may be implemented. In some embodiments, as few as one connector may be implemented.

[0073] In some embodiments, connector 110 may be configured to provide a termination impedance for each monopole antenna. Advantageously, the impedance connected to each monopole antenna 105 may help prevent any unwanted resonances experienced within the monopole antenna during use.

[0074] The substrate 115 may comprise a multi-layer PCB, where routing from each monopole antenna 105 to each connector 110 may be provided in one or more conductive layers of the substrate 115.

[0075] In some embodiments, at least one of the connectors 110, and preferably the connector 110 connected to a monopole antenna 105 positioned substantially toward the center of the plurality of monopole antennas 105, may be implemented as a coaxial connector. Such a coaxial connector may be implemented as an SMA connector for injecting a gateway signal. Injection of the gateway signal will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 11a and 11b.

[0076] The exemplary device 100 also includes a dielectric material 120 disposed between and extending around each monopole antenna 105. The dielectric material 120 may provide structural support to the device 100 and may also prevent damage to the monopole antennas 105 during use.

[0077] Additionally, the dielectric material 120 may also increase the attenuation of RF transmission between the monopole antennas 105 of the device 100, as will be described in more detail below.

[0078] Dielectric material 120 may comprise, for example, wood, polycarbonate, acrylic, or resin, etc. In one embodiment, dielectric material 120 may comprise a polyamide-based material, such as nylon, which may be suitable for high temperature testing of device 100.

[0079] When the monopole antennas 105 are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within the communications frequency range of 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, each monopole antenna 105 is positioned within the near-field region of neighboring monopole antennas 105. That is, the length of each monopole antenna 105 and the spacing between the monopole antennas 105 are selected such that when used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within the communications frequency range, each monopole antenna 105 is positioned within the near-field region of neighboring monopole antennas 105.

[0080] In other exemplary embodiments, the spacing between the monopole antennas 105 and the lengths of the monopole antennas may be selected such that each monopole antenna 105 is positioned within the near-field region of a neighboring monopole antenna 105 when the monopole antennas 105 are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within a communications frequency range of 1000 MHz to 400 MHz or 915 MHz to 860 MHz. Preferably, each monopole antenna 110 may have a length that corresponds approximately to the length of a quarter wavelength monopole for frequencies within the communications frequency range.

[0081] Although the exemplary device 100 includes monopole antennas 105 arranged in a regular grid, other arrangements of the monopole antennas 105 are also within the scope of this disclosure. For example, FIG. 1c shows alternative configurations of monopole antennas. In a first alternative device 100a, multiple monopole antennas 105a are arranged in an offset grid pattern on a substrate 115a. In a second alternative device 100b, multiple monopole antennas 105b are arranged in a concentric pattern on a substrate 115b.

[0082] Figure 2a shows a plan view of an embodiment of a first further device 200 comprising a plurality of communication devices 220 for conductively connecting to respective monopole antennas by connectors 110. Figure 2b shows an alternative view of the first further device 200.

[0083] The further device comprises a substrate 215, for example a PCB. A plurality of communication devices 220 are mounted on the substrate 215. Each communication device 220 may comprise at least one modem and / or be configured to function as at least one modem.

[0084] Also shown, for purposes of example only, is a power supply circuit 225 with voltage regulation for providing power to multiple communication devices 220 and additional control circuitry 230 .

[0085] An end 235 of the substrate 215 includes contacts (not shown) for routing signals and power to the power circuitry 220 , additional control circuitry 225 , and / or one or more of the communication devices 220 .

[0086] The first further device 200 also comprises a plurality of connectors 210 . The connector 210 is adapted to connect to the connector 110 of the device 100 , thereby conductively connecting the plurality of communication devices 220 to the plurality of monopole antennas 105 .

[0087] FIG. 3a shows a plan view of one example of a second further device 300 for connecting a plurality of first further devices 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] 3a, the exemplary second further device 300 comprises a substrate 315 and a plurality of connectors 310 provided on a first side of the substrate 315. Each connector 310 is configured to receive the first further device 200, for example to receive an end 235 of the substrate 215 of the first further device 200.

[0089] In an embodiment, the second further device 300 is arranged to be connected to eight first further devices 200 .

[0090] On a second side of the substrate 315 shown in Figure 3b, a plurality of power connectors 350, e.g., DC power sockets, are provided. Each power connector 350 is for providing power to a respective first further device 200 connected to a respective connector 310. Also shown is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) driver circuit 355 and a USB connector 360 associated with each connector 310.

[0091] 4 illustrates an exemplary system 400 for emulating a wireless mesh network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary system 400 includes the device 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a-1c described above.

[0092] The exemplary system 400 also comprises a plurality of first further devices 200, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b above, each of which is connected to a device 100. That is, in an embodiment, each group of connectors 110 of the device 100 is connected to a respective connector 210 of each of the first further devices 200.

[0093] Thus, the system 400 comprises a plurality of communication devices 220, where at least one communication device 200 is conductively connected to each monopole antenna 105 by a respective connector 110, 210. The communication devices 220 are configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals within a communication frequency range using each monopole antenna 105.

[0094] The exemplary system 400 also comprises a second further device 300, as shown in Figures 3a-3b. Each first further device 200 is connected to the second further device 300 by a respective connector 210,310.

[0095] FIG. 5 illustrates an example system 500 comprising multiple systems 400 in use to emulate a wireless mesh network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] The exemplary system 500 comprises a plurality of the systems 400 of FIG. 4, where each system 400 is connected to a respective processor 505 by eight USB cables 520.

[0097] Finally, each processor 505 is connected to a database 510. For purposes of example only, the connection between each processor 505 and database 510 is by an Ethernet connection 515.

[0098] It will be appreciated that the exemplary system 500 of Figure 5 is merely one example of the use of the device 100 to emulate a wireless mesh network. For example, instead of a USB connection, other implementations may use wired Ethernet, etc. Similarly, although an assembled configuration of the first and second further devices 200, 300 is shown, other configurations for conductively connecting one or more communication devices to the monopole antenna may be implemented.

[0099] In use, the communication device 220 may be configured to operate to transmit and receive data corresponding to its use as a smart metering device. In this manner, each monopole antenna 105 may be configured to emulate the antenna of a smart metering device.

[0100] The processor 505 may be configured to control the communication device 220 such that a wireless mesh network is formed using the multiple monopole antennas 105 .

[0101] The operation of the wireless mesh network may be based on data retrieved from the database 510. Data related to the operation of the wireless mesh network may be stored by the database 510.

[0102] 5 includes a plurality of devices 100. Each device may be located immediately adjacent to another device 100 of the plurality of devices. In some embodiments, the ground plane of a device 100 may be conductively connected to the ground plane of one or more immediately adjacent devices 100.

[0103] Multiple devices 100 may be used to emulate different wireless mesh network fringe shapes by arranging the devices 100 together in a configuration that provides at least approximately the desired fringe shape, as will be further described below with reference to Figures 11a and 11b.

[0104] The design of the device 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10, where each monopole antenna is positioned within the near field region of a nearby monopole antenna when the monopole antennas are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within a desired communication frequency range.

[0105] Figure 6 shows a propagation model graph showing the probability of transmission path loss versus distance based on a location-independent model in an urban environment. This graph is based on the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Recommendation P.1411-11 (09 / 2021).

[0106] The propagation model described by the graph may be considered representative of an RF smart metering application since it is based on a similar environment, eg, a city, and based on a similar communication frequency, eg, 400 MHz.

[0107] As an example, the graph shows that 99% of transmissions at 400 MHz experience a path loss of approximately 135 dB at a distance of 1000 meters in an urban environment.

[0108] The data in the graph of Figure 6 provides a general basis for converting distance in meters to expected path loss in dB. Thus, the propagation model of Figure 6 can be used to develop a model of expected path loss versus the number of metering devices in a uniform geographic distribution.

[0109] Figures 7a and 7b show such a model of the number of metering devices in a uniform geographic distribution versus expected path loss based on the 90% probability curve of the graph in Figure 6. It is assumed that the metering devices are spaced 20 meters apart and use an RF communication frequency of 915 MHz.

[0110] As an example, Figure 7a shows that the path loss is in the region of 140 dB when the number of devices approaches 600. Figure 7b presents the exponential data of Figure 7b on a logarithmic scale.

[0111] From Figure 7b it can be seen that the range of interest for path loss is between about 90 dB and 160 dB when using as many as 1000 devices. This may be considered to represent a real-life scenario, where about 1000 devices operating at 915 MHz, spaced 20 meters apart from each other, would observe a path loss ranging between 90 and 160 dB.

[0112] Having established the model of Figures 7a and 7b, it may be desirable to adapt device 100 to accurately emulate such model. That is, device 100 having approximately 1000 monopole antennas may be designed to emulate the path loss range of the model of Figures 7a and 7b, and thereby may be suitable for emulating a deployment of approximately 1000 metering devices in an urban environment.

[0113] Figure 8a shows the interference range for selecting PHY modes supported in a Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Ubiquitous Network) 1.1 network. The interference range is shown in terms of both loss in dB and equivalent range, based on the propagation model of Figure 6.

[0114] The different modes of communication are shown on the x-axis. For example, "F2B050, F2B150, F2B200" correspond to 2FSK modulation at 50 kbit / s, 150 kbit / s, and 200 kbit / s, respectively. "01M5, 01M6, 02M3, etc." correspond to OFDM modulation at 1, 5 Mbit / s, 1.6 Mbit / s, and 2.3 Mbit / s, respectively.

[0115] The interference range model in Figure 8a shows that the maximum path loss is about 147 dB, which corresponds to a distance of about 1400 meters based on the propagation model in Figure 6. The minimum range of interference is about 133 dB.

[0116] Similarly, Figure 8b shows the communication range for the same selection of PHY modes supported in a Wi-SUN 1.1 network. It can be seen that the range of path losses that allow communication between devices is between 120 dB and 140 dB, which corresponds to a distance of approximately between 300 meters and 1000 meters based on the propagation model of Figure 6.

[0117] Therefore, based on applying a propagation model to interference and communication range data for a selection of PHY modes supported in a Wi-SUN 1.1 network, it can be seen that the device 100 is suitable for emulating a path loss range of approximately 100db to 150db, thereby preferably covering the entire range of communication and interference shown in Figures 8a and 8b.

[0118] That is, Figures 7a and 7b show a desired shape of response, e.g., an exponential relationship between path loss increase and number of metering devices, while Figures 8a and 8b provide a desired range between 100 dB and 150 dB. Based on these goals, apparatus 100 may be adapted accordingly, whereby energy may be distributed wirelessly to the monopole antennas in a manner that emulates the far field, with an array of monopole antennas each residing within the near-field range of a nearby monopole antenna.

[0119] The exemplary device 100 described below is provided with specific dimensions for non-limiting illustrative purposes only.

[0120] In a first example, an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network may include a 2D array of approximately quarter-wavelength monopole antennas, where each monopole antenna is within the near field of its neighboring monopole antennas. An exemplary 27x18 array may have 486 monopole antennas, each approximately 80 millimeters long, arranged in a 27x18 array on a 200 millimeter by 300 millimeter ground plane with a 10 millimeter separation between adjacent monopole antennas. Figure 9a shows this apparatus.

[0121] In Figure 9b, the resulting (simulated) path loss distribution at 915 MHz is shown, which shows the distribution of coupled energy from the central monopole antenna to all other monopole antennas. This distribution can be seen to generally correspond in distribution to the shape of the distribution in Figure 6, thereby validating the effectiveness of the device for emulating wireless mesh networks. In particular, the decrease in path loss towards higher count monopole antennas, e.g., moving further from the central monopole antenna, is due to the RF signal approaching the edge of the device, where loss is reduced due to fewer monopole antennas in the near-field range.

[0122] FIG. 10 shows the path loss across another example device, in this case having a 300 x 300 millimeter configuration. It can be seen that the path loss from the central device to the adjacent devices is approximately 20 dB. It can also be seen that the path loss reaches a maximum value of approximately 100 dB. As previously mentioned, the target path loss may be in the range of 100 dB to 150 dB. Thus, attenuation may be added to the monopole antenna to offset the loss.

[0123] For example, adding 45 dB of attenuation per monopole antenna would add 90 dB of path loss to the path between any two monopole antennas. Based on the exemplary device described in FIG. 10 , this would result in a path loss of between 90 dB and 190 dB from the central monopole antenna. In practice, since metering devices cannot communicate with path losses as high as 190 dB, this would mean that operation as a network, e.g., a mesh network, would be required for a single metering device to communicate. It can therefore be appreciated that the disclosed device, optionally with additional attenuation between the monopole antennas, may be particularly suitable for emulating a real-world wireless mesh network of smart metering devices scattered over a large geographic area.

[0124] To achieve a desired path loss, several techniques may be applied individually or in combination. For example, in some embodiments, the spacing between antennas may be adjusted to adjust the path loss. In one example, the spacing between antennas may be reduced, which may increase the effective path loss between the antennas. In some examples, each monopole antenna may be positioned within the reactive near-field region of one or more nearby monopole antennas.

[0125] In other embodiments, the length of each monopole antenna may be adjusted to select a desired path loss between the monopole antennas, for example, reducing the length of the monopole antennas may increase the attenuation of RF signals between the monopole antennas in an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network.

[0126] In other embodiments, a predetermined impedance may be connected to each monopole antenna to select a desired path loss between the monopole antennas, i.e., a termination impedance, which may comprise a resistor or the like, may be conductively connected to each monopole antenna to increase the attenuation of signals transmitted between the monopole antennas in an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network.

[0127] In other embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the dielectric material 120 may be disposed between and extend around each monopole antenna 105 to select a desired path loss between the monopole antennas 105 in an apparatus for emulating a wireless mesh network.

[0128] FIG. 11a illustrates an example of injecting a gateway signal into an apparatus 1100 for emulating a wireless mesh network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0129] 1a. That is, the device 1100 comprises a plurality of monopole antennas 1105 disposed on a substrate 1115, and a plurality of connectors 1110 for conductively connecting the plurality of monopole antennas 1105 to at least one communication device. The device 1100 also comprises a dielectric material 1120 disposed between and extending around each of the monopole antennas 1105.

[0130] The device 110 also includes a further monopole antenna 1165. The further monopole antenna 1165 may be connected to a further communication device 1170. In one embodiment, an SMA connector 1175 connects the further monopole antenna 1165 to the further communication device 1170.

[0131] The further monopole antenna 1165 is positioned substantially at the center of the array of monopole antennas 1105. In one embodiment, an opening may be formed in the dielectric material 1120, and the further monopole antenna 1105 is inserted into the opening. In another embodiment, the dielectric material 1120 may be formed around the further monopole antenna 1105, such as by a molding or encapsulation process.

[0132] The further monopole antenna 1165 and further communication device 1170 may be configured to operate as a gateway device or router, providing a means for communicating with and / or transferring data through the wireless mesh network emulated by the plurality of monopole antennas 1105.

[0133] In some embodiments, the attenuation of the further monopole antenna 1165 may be selected to emulate a pole-mounted device, i.e., the transmit power and / or receive sensitivity of the further monopole antenna 1165 may be increased relative to the multiple monopole antennas 1105 such that the further monopole antenna 1165 may emulate a pole-mounted gateway or router device.

[0134] In another embodiment shown in Figure 11a, a central monopole antenna 1180 of the plurality of monopole antennas 1105 may be configured to function as a gateway or router device. For purposes of example only, a further communication device 1190 is connected to the central monopole antenna 1180 via an SMA connector 1185. Figure 12a shows a first exemplary configuration comprising a plurality of devices 1200a-d for emulating a wireless mesh network. Each device may be any of the devices described above, such as the device of Figure 1.

[0135] As shown in Figure 12a, a greater distribution of metering devices over a larger geographic area may be emulated by placing multiple devices 1200a-d directly adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, the ground plane of each device 1200a-d may be conductively connected to the ground plane of at least one other of the devices 1200a-d. While only four devices 1200a-d are shown, it will be understood that fewer or more than four devices may be implemented.

[0136] During use, different fringe shapes may be emulated by rearranging the devices. As an example, Figure 12b shows a second exemplary configuration comprising multiple devices 1200e-h for emulating a wireless mesh network. In this example, irregular fringe shapes may be formed by positioning the devices 1200e-h.

[0137] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments as described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are exemplary only and that the claims are not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and variations in light of this disclosure, which are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Each feature disclosed or illustrated herein may be incorporated into any embodiment, either alone or in any suitable combination with any other feature disclosed or illustrated herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 100 devices 100a First Alternative Device 100b Second Alternative Device 105 Monopole Antenna 105a monopole antenna 105b monopole antenna 110 Connector 115 PCB 115a board 115b board 120 Dielectric Materials 200 First Further Device 215 PCB 220 Communication Equipment 225 Power supply circuit 230 Additional Control Circuit 235 End 300 Second Further Device 310 Connector 315 Substrate 350 power connector 355 USB driver circuit 360 USB connector 400 System 500 Systems 505 processor 510 Database 515 Ethernet connection 520 USB cable 1100 equipment 1105 Monopole Antenna 1110 Connector 1115 PCB 1120 Dielectric materials 1165 More Monopole Antennas 1170 Further communication devices 1175 SMA Connector 1180 central monopole antenna 1185 SMA Connector 1190 Further communication devices 1200a~h equipment

Claims

1. A device (100, 1100, 1200a to g) for emulating a wireless mesh network, wherein the device is Multiple monopole antennas (105, 1105) and The above-mentioned plurality of monopole antennas are provided with at least one connector (110, 1100) for electrically connecting to at least one communication device (220), When the above monopole antennas are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within a communication frequency range from 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, each monopole antenna is positioned within the near-field region of neighboring monopole antennas. Equipment (100, 1100, 1200a-g).

2. The above communication frequency range is from 1000 MHz to 400 MHz. The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

3. The above communication frequency range is from 915 MHz to 860 MHz. The apparatus according to claim 2 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

4. Each monopole antenna (105, 1105) has a length substantially corresponding to the length of a quarter-wavelength monopole with respect to the frequencies within the above communication frequency range. The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

5. The above neighboring region is a reactive neighboring region. The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

6. - The above-mentioned multiple monopole antennas (105, 1105) are arranged as an array, an offset grid, and / or a concentric pattern. - The above-mentioned multiple monopole antennas are arranged such that each monopole antenna extends in the longitudinal direction parallel to the direction in which nearby monopole antennas extend in the longitudinal direction. The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

7. With respect to the wireless signal within the above communication frequency range, the path attenuation between the first monopole antenna (105, 1105) located in the central region of the plurality of monopole antennas and the second monopole antenna among the plurality of monopole antennas is: - Length of each monopole antenna, - Distance between each monopole antenna, - The magnitude of the impedance connected to each monopole antenna, and / or, - Dielectric material placed between each monopole antenna and extending around each monopole antenna By selecting at least one of the following, it is configured to be between 90 dB and 160 dB. The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

8. Each monopole antenna (105, 1105) has a termination impedance, The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

9. The termination impedance of at least one of the above-mentioned multiple monopole antennas (105, 1105) is different from and / or variable with respect to the termination impedance of at least one other of the above-mentioned multiple monopole antennas. The apparatus according to claim 8 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

10. - The above-mentioned multiple monopole antennas (105, 1105) extend from the first side of the substrate (115, 1115), - At least one of the above connectors (110, 1110) is provided on the second side of the substrate. - The above substrate has a ground plane. The apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The system includes dielectric material (120, 1120) positioned between each monopole antenna and extending around each monopole antenna. The apparatus according to claim 1 (100, 1100, 1200a to g).

12. A system (400, 500) for emulating a wireless mesh network, wherein the system is The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11 (100, 1100, 1200a to g), The system comprises at least one communication device (220) electrically connected to each monopole antenna by at least one connector (110, 1100) as described above, The above-mentioned at least one communication device is configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals within the above-mentioned communication frequency range using each monopole antenna. System (400, 500).

13. The above system comprises the apparatus (100, 1100, 1200a to g) described in one of claims 1 to 10, Each device is positioned directly adjacent to one of the other devices among the above-mentioned multiple devices. The system according to claim 12 (400, 500).

14. The above-mentioned at least one communication device (220) includes at least one modem. The system according to claim 12 (400, 500).

15. The system includes one or more processors (505) configured to control the at least one communication device (220) to emulate a wireless mesh network between the monopole antennas (105, 1105), The system according to claim 12 (400, 500).

16. A communication device (1170, 1190) connected to one of the above monopole antennas (1165, 1180) is configured to operate as a gateway device. The system according to claim 12.

17. A method for emulating a wireless mesh network, The above method, - Includes electrically connecting multiple monopole antennas (105, 1105) to at least one communication device (220), When the above monopole antennas are used to emulate a wireless mesh network operating within a communication frequency range from 3500 MHz to 300 MHz, each monopole antenna is positioned within the near-field region of neighboring monopole antennas. The above method, - The communication device is configured to form a wireless mesh network between the multiple monopole antennas by transmitting and / or receiving signals within the above communication frequency range. including, method.

18. The step includes configuring a communication device (1170, 1190) connected to one of the monopole antennas (1165, 1180) to operate as a gateway device for the above wireless mesh network, The method according to claim 17.

19. The step includes increasing the transmit power and / or receive sensitivity of a monopole antenna (1165, 1180) that acts as a gateway device to other monopole antennas (105, 1105) among the above-mentioned multiple monopole antennas, The method according to claim 18.

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