Discovery phase in a frequency hopping network

Abstract

The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Particular present features relate to operation at the node level of a Discovery Phase in a frequency hopping network.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A metrology device for use with an advanced metering system frequency hopping network, comprising:
 a metrology portion configured to measure consumption of a utility commodity;   a transmitter portion configured to transmit consumption information; and   a receiver portion configured to receive information from other network devices;   wherein said metrology device is further configured to cause said transmitter portion to transmit discovery beacons over several hopping channels in succession beginning with a randomly selected hopping channel, each discovery beacon including the number of remaining discovery beacons to be sent and the channel to which the receiver portion will listen for a response.   
     
     
         27 . A metrology device as in  claim 26 , wherein said transmitter portion is configured to transmit a discovery beacon specifying said randomly selected channel as the channel to which said receiver portion will listen for a response. 
     
     
         28 . A metrology device as in  claim 26 , wherein said receiver portion is further configured to collect information based on any responses received in response to a discovery beacon. 
     
     
         29 . A metrology device as in  claim 26 , wherein said transmitter portion is further configured to repeatedly transmit discovery beacons starting at the channel in a hopping sequence following the previously specified listening channel, upon failure of said receiver portion to receive a response to a previously transmitted discovery beacon. 
     
     
         30 . A metrology device as in  claim 29 , wherein said transmitter portion is further configured to delay transmission of repeated discovery beacons for randomly selected time periods. 
     
     
         31 . A metrology device as in  claim 30 , wherein said transmitter portion is further configured to increase said randomly selected time period upon repeated failure of said receiver portion to receive a valid response to a discovery beacon. 
     
     
         32 . A metrology device as in  claim 28 , wherein said device is configured to request synchronization with a network based on the lowest number of end points within a cell of end points. 
     
     
         33 . A metrology device as in  claim 28 , wherein said device is configured to request synchronization with a network based on the received signal strength of a valid response to a discovery beacon.