LTE Modem eDRx Paging Opportunity Management

    公开(公告)号:US20220369416A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-17

    申请号:US17556918

    申请日:2021-12-20

    Applicant: Itron, Inc.

    Abstract: Techniques for sharing resources between a radio access technology (RAT) modem (e.g., an LTE modem) and a processor-based radio (e.g., a software-defined radio) are described. In an example, operation of the RAT modem establishes an extended discontinuous reception mode (eDRX) cycle with a cellular system. The RAT modem sends eDRX scheduling information, that is based at least in part on the eDRX cycle, to the processor-based radio. Operation of the processor-based radio identifies paging opportunities (POs) of the eDRX cycle, based at least in part on the eDRX scheduling information. Operation of the processor-based radio manages usage of shared resources (e.g., transmit and receive amplifiers, digital signal processing elements, memory devices, elements of physical layer(s), and/or antenna(s), etc.). The managing may be based at least in part on the identified POs. The managing avoids conflicts between the RAT modem and the processor-based radio over the shared resources.

    LTE Modem eDRx Paging Opportunity Management

    公开(公告)号:US20220369281A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-17

    申请号:US17556905

    申请日:2021-12-20

    Applicant: Itron, Inc.

    Abstract: Techniques for sharing resources between a radio access technology (RAT) modem (e.g., an LTE modem) and a processor-based radio (e.g., a software-defined radio) are described. In an example, operation of the RAT modem establishes an extended discontinuous reception mode (eDRX) cycle with a cellular system. The RAT modem sends eDRX scheduling information, that is based at least in part on the eDRX cycle, to the processor-based radio. Operation of the processor-based radio identifies paging opportunities (POs) of the eDRX cycle, based at least in part on the eDRX scheduling information. Operation of the processor-based radio manages usage of shared resources (e.g., transmit and receive amplifiers, digital signal processing elements, memory devices, elements of physical layer(s), and/or antenna(s), etc.). The managing may be based at least in part on the identified POs. The managing avoids conflicts between the RAT modem and the processor-based radio over the shared resources.

    Optimized parent and path selection for battery powered devices within a wireless network

    公开(公告)号:US11452037B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-20

    申请号:US16930228

    申请日:2020-07-15

    Applicant: ITRON, INC.

    Abstract: A wireless network includes nodes configured to implement an improved parent and path selection process to efficiently and reliably manage energy consumption of a battery powered device node. When a given node selects a path, the node transmits requests to multiple potential parent nodes. Each potential parent node transmits a metric that is indicative of the remaining battery life of the nodes in the path that includes the respective potential parent node. The given node then selects a parent node, and corresponding path, based on the metrics. More specifically, the given node selects a path, where at least one node on the selected path is less likely to prematurely exhaust the remaining battery life of the node, relative to the nodes in the other potential paths. As a result, the given node selects a path that optimizes battery consumption of the various battery powered nodes in the wireless network.

    Power-efficient discovery process for nodes within a wireless mesh network

    公开(公告)号:US11178530B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-11-16

    申请号:US16035535

    申请日:2018-07-13

    Applicant: Itron, Inc.

    Abstract: A wireless network includes a plurality of nodes configured to implement an improved discovery process to efficiently and reliably pair with one another with low power consumption. A given node divides time into slots and then performs discovery operations during designated discovery windows. The discovery windows occur periodically but at different times of day. During a given discovery window, nodes attempt discovery using a reduced set of channels that varies from one window to the next, thereby increasing the likelihood that nodes operate on the same channel. Nodes also implement a pairing protocol to coordinate pairing, potentially avoiding situations where all nodes attempt to pair simultaneously. The discovery process may be completed expeditiously, thereby conserving power and extending the operational lifetime of nodes which rely on battery power.

    POWER-EFFICIENT PASSIVE DISCOVERY BY NETWORK DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20210067942A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-04

    申请号:US16555642

    申请日:2019-08-29

    Applicant: Itron, Inc.

    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to minimize the electricity consumption of battery powered devices during network discovery and other phases of network operation. Example techniques include efficiently listening for other mains powered and battery powered devices within communication range of the battery powered device by, for example, shortening its listening window depending on how close the time reference maintained by the battery powered device is estimated to be to the time reference used by the other mains powered and battery powered devices within communication range. Other techniques include slowing the rate of listening by the battery powered device when the battery powered device is unlikely to be able to receive discovery messages or is already connected to the network. Other techniques include using knowledge of the network to listen for discovery messages on a channel or channels on which other devices are likely to be transmitting.

    Downlink event allocation in a network

    公开(公告)号:US12167328B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-12-10

    申请号:US18230268

    申请日:2023-08-04

    Applicant: Itron, Inc.

    Abstract: Techniques for allocating event offsets within a period of transmission are described. A mains-powered device (MPD) may act as a “parent” to one or more battery-powered devices (BPDs). The MPD may assign “event offsets” to each BPD. The event offset is a time by which the BPD's timeslot is “offset” from the start of a periodic cycle of transmissions by the MPD. Thus, each event offset indicates a time that the BPD must be “awake,” i.e., operating its radio receiver and/or performing other functionality. A BPD may spend a substantial fraction of its time in a “sleep” mode, wherein less power is used and fewer functions are performed than during a period of that BPD's event offset. Another BPD may have a different event offset. Communications by the MPD with each child BPD may be substantially uniformly distributed over the period. To increase efficiency, groups of BPDs may receive multicasts.

    Frame compatibility across network protocol versions

    公开(公告)号:US11516320B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-29

    申请号:US17133227

    申请日:2020-12-23

    Applicant: ITRON, INC.

    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for processing packets transmitted within a network in accordance with a network protocol. The technique includes determining a first expected length of a value field included in a type-length-value (TLV) element within a first frame of a first packet received over the network, wherein the first expected length is based on a type field included in the TLV element. The technique also includes processing a first portion of the value field based on the expected length of the value field in accordance with a first specification for a first version of the network protocol, without processing a second portion of the value field beyond the expected length of the value field.

    Downlink event allocation in a network

    公开(公告)号:US11438837B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-06

    申请号:US16670046

    申请日:2019-10-31

    Applicant: Itron, Inc.

    Abstract: Techniques for allocating event offsets within a period of transmission are described. A mains-powered device (MPD) may act as a “parent” to one or more battery-powered devices (BPDs). The MPD may assign “event offsets” to each BPD. The event offset is a time by which the BPD's timeslot is “offset” from the start of a periodic cycle of transmissions by the MPD. Thus, each event offset indicates a time that the BPD must be “awake,” i.e., operating its radio receiver and/or performing other functionality. A BPD may spend a substantial fraction of its time in a “sleep” mode, wherein less power is used and fewer functions are performed than during a period of that BPD's event offset. Another BPD may have a different event offset. Communications by the MPD with each child BPD may be substantially uniformly distributed over the period. To increase efficiency, groups of BPDs may receive multicasts.

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