Frequency Hopping Protocol for Advanced Metering Network Link Establishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current utility metering technologies face challenges in providing an open protocol for advanced metering infrastructure that supports international standards, efficient data communication, and seamless integration with mesh networks, particularly in residential electricity metering, leading to complexities in managing large-scale installations and interoperability among devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of an improved protocol and apparatus that supports the ANSI C12.22/C12.19 system, enabling a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, with features like cell isolation, real-time clock distribution, uplink routing without routing tables, and traffic load control, facilitating efficient data transmission and device management within an open operational framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is implemented for wireless meter communication, then interference resistance and reliability are improved, but device complexity and protocol management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements frequency hopping by dynamically changing the frequency parameter of wireless communication. The system hops between multiple frequencies (e.g., 902-928 MHz band with 100 kHz spacing) to avoid interference and improve reliability. Frequency changes are controlled through structured protocols that manage hopping sequences, sync words, and frequency assignments, balancing reliability improvement with protocol complexity management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mesh network topology is used for meter installations, then network coverage and scalability are improved, but routing complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network is segmented into hierarchical levels with master meters coordinating frequency hopping sequences and slave meters following assigned sequences. The network is divided into cells with designated master meters that manage local coordination, reducing overall routing complexity while maintaining scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
Frequency hopping sequences and network parameters are pre-configured during meter activation and initialization. Masters and slaves establish their hopping sequences in advance through discovery phases, eliminating the need for complex real-time routing decisions during data transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If open protocol standards are implemented for interoperability, then device compatibility is improved, but implementation complexity and security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements ANSI C12.22 and C12.19 protocol standards that provide universal compatibility across different meter manufacturers and network configurations. The protocol handles multiple functions including frequency hopping coordination, data transmission, authentication, and network management within a unified framework, improving interoperability while managing implementation complexity through standardized procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol includes built-in feedback mechanisms for authentication, acknowledgment, and error handling. Masters and slaves exchange authentication credentials, confirm frequency assignments, and verify data integrity through structured feedback messages, ensuring secure and reliable interoperability without excessive complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent frequency hopping is performed for data transmission, then interference avoidance is improved, but power consumption and transmission time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Frequency hopping is performed periodically according to predetermined sequences rather than continuously. The system hops between frequencies at structured intervals, maintaining interference resistance while allowing the radio to remain in sleep mode between hops, significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Frequency hopping sequences are pre-planned and synchronized between masters and slaves before data transmission begins. This preliminary setup allows efficient data transmission on predetermined frequencies without requiring frequent mid-transmission hops, reducing both power consumption and transmission time while maintaining interference avoidance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for enabling a newly installed network end device to establish a link to an existing advanced metering system frequency hopping network, comprising: establishing a network including a central facility and a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices; configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of end devices; causing a newly installed end device to transmit a discovery beacon, the discovery beacon including information as to a specific listening channel on which the newly installed end device will listen during a listening window; configuring selected of the plurality of end devices to transmit a response to a received discovery beacon; placing the newly installed end device in a listen mode during a listening window on the listening channel specified in the transmitted discovery beacon; configuring the newly installed end device to collect and store information transmitted from one or more of the plurality of end devices in response to the discovery beacon; and configuring the newly installed end device to synchronize with a preferred network based on any collected information in accordance with predetermined criteria. Likewise, the invention relates to an advanced metering system frequency hopping network and to a metrology device for use with an advanced metering system frequency hopping network.