Patent ID: 9203469
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: G01D,G08C,H04B,H04L,H04Q,H04W,Y04S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining a frequency hopping sequence, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of narrowband receivers, deployed geographically within a grid, wherein each of said plurality of narrowband receivers is configured to receive transmissions from a least one of a plurality of automated meter reading (AMR) meters, and wherein each of said plurality of AMR meters transmits identical data on each of a plurality of frequency bands that are hopped according to the frequency hopping sequence, and wherein said frequency hopping sequence is initially unknown to said plurality of narrowband receivers, but a hop rate is known; and a controller, coupled to said plurality of narrowband receivers, configured to control said plurality of narrowband receivers such that said each of said plurality of AMR meters is identified, and configured to control said plurality of narrowband receivers such that corresponding data from said each of said AMR meters is received on at least one of said plurality of frequency bands, wherein said controller determines the frequency hopping sequence by progressively selecting channel candidate pairs from a list of channels for the frequency hopping sequence, and determines adjacent channel pairs in said list of channels based upon latency of messages having said identical data observed between said channel candidate pairs according to said hop rate.