A method of capturing usage data of a usage area, which includes an automatic meter reading (AMR) device that broadcasts the usage data over a sequence of radio-frequency (RF) channels via a frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) signal. The method includes the steps of providing an RF receiver for the usage area, determining the sequence of RF channels, and receiving the usage data by tuning the RF receiver to an RF channel based on the sequence of RF channels. The sequence of RF channels includes an array of RF channels assigned to and ordered based on a channel position.

A method of capturing usage data of a usage area, which includes an automatic meter reading (AMR) device that broadcasts the usage data over a sequence of radio-frequency (RF) channels via a frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) signal. The method includes the steps of providing an RF receiver for the usage area, determining the sequence of RF channels, and receiving the usage data by tuning the RF receiver to an RF channel based on the sequence of RF channels. The sequence of RF channels includes an array of RF channels assigned to and ordered based on a channel position.

A sensor based monitoring system (SBMS) for a wireless communications network, a monitoring device for the SBMS, and a SBMS server are provided herein. In one example, the SBMS includes: (1) a monitoring device configured to collect antenna data of an antenna mounted on a communications structure of a wireless communications network and communicate the antenna data over a wireless network, and (2) a SBMS server configured to provide actionable intelligence based on the antenna data and system data of the wireless communications network from at least one other data source.

A sensor based monitoring system (SBMS) for a wireless communications network, a monitoring device for the SBMS, and a SBMS server are provided herein. In one example, the SBMS includes: (1) a monitoring device configured to collect antenna data of an antenna mounted on a communications structure of a wireless communications network and communicate the antenna data over a wireless network, and (2) a SBMS server configured to provide actionable intelligence based on the antenna data and system data of the wireless communications network from at least one other data source.

A detector includes a housing having a window. A detection engine is configured to detect an event external to the housing. A battery is connected to the detection engine and configured to supply power thereto. A solar cell is configured to generate electricity when exposed to a light received through the window. The solar cell is arranged in the housing and electrically connected to the battery.

A detector includes a housing having a window. A detection engine is configured to detect an event external to the housing. A battery is connected to the detection engine and configured to supply power thereto. A solar cell is configured to generate electricity when exposed to a light received through the window. The solar cell is arranged in the housing and electrically connected to the battery.

Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.

Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.

A system for alert of energy resource outages includes: a resource monitor, disposed within radio range of resource meters that each transmit corresponding radio signals indicative of corresponding meter identifiers and current readings, configured to: determine whether the corresponding radio signals are fixed frequency or frequency hopping by scanning frequency channels for a time period and counting hits of desired meter identifiers; decode each of the one or more of the corresponding radio signals of the resource meters according to determined protocol to obtain one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings; and transmit the one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings; and a server, configured to: receive the one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings; employ the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings to detect an outage; and transmit an alert that corresponds to the outage.

A system for alert of energy resource outages includes: a resource monitor, disposed within radio range of resource meters that each transmit corresponding radio signals indicative of corresponding meter identifiers and current readings, configured to: determine whether the corresponding radio signals are fixed frequency or frequency hopping by scanning frequency channels for a time period and counting hits of desired meter identifiers; decode each of the one or more of the corresponding radio signals of the resource meters according to determined protocol to obtain one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings; and transmit the one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings; and a server, configured to: receive the one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings; employ the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings to detect an outage; and transmit an alert that corresponds to the outage.