Abstract:
A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The field of the invention is data acquisition systems for collecting utility meter data, and more particularly systems including a network that uses stationary receivers and transmitters. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,673,252, 5,963,146, 6,172,616, 6,373,399, and 6,653,945 describe a radio-based wireless communication network for sending utility metering data from a plurality of remote devices to a central data terminal through receivers and through intermediate data terminals. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,399 further describes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the messages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations. This provides a high level of duplication of messages, which is said to reduce the loss of messages and data. 
         [0004]    Many attempts have been made in recent years to develop fixed base network Automatic Meter Reading (“AMR”) systems for the reading of utility meters, such as water, gas, and electricity meters. In each such attempt, the objective has been to provide a level of radio coverage that ensures that all the service modules attached to meters can be read on a daily or more frequent basis, i.e. that the collection of data from the remote service modules is assured for any given period of time. 
         [0005]    Fixed base radio networks of the prior art rely on physical placement of transmitters within the range of multiple receiving stations to collect data from remote service modules. It is not possible, however, to exactly define the coverage area of any given receiving station due to difference in terrain and other radio wave interference that may be present at any location. In the typical design for such systems, receiving stations are located such that the remote transmitter modules will be within the range of at least two receiving stations, thereby providing redundant data paths. These systems require the installation of an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote transmitters. As a result, the most of the remote transmitters are being received by two or more receiving stations. If there is a reception problem, the physical arrangement must be modified. 
         [0006]    It is desired to provide an alternative to this system that would monitor and assure receptions from each transmitter, manage data paths and reduce the amount of duplicate message transmission needed to assure adequate update rates. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention is practiced in a method and system in which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain radio reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting utility metering data from a plurality of transmitters to a data collector that receives data from a large plurality of transmitters distributed over a portion of service area. 
         [0008]    The invention provides the ability to automatically monitor reception levels on an ongoing basis, and to configure the reception nodes to receive data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to a particular receiver. Data transmissions from other transmitters are ignored, thereby ensuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path to the data collector. 
         [0009]    The data collector transfers the utility metering data to a computer for further processing for billing purposes. Lists of transmitters and receivers are formed in a computer and transmitted to the data collector and to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions that are received by the reception nodes can be uploaded to the computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy. 
         [0010]    Data is collected from the transmitters at a high capacity data collector. To extend the range of the transmitters and the geographical coverage of a specific data collector, data can be collected through intermediate level receivers known as repeaters. These repeaters may each receive and re-transmit a large number of transmissions from a large plurality of transmitters over a selected time interval. As the data is received by the repeaters it is re-transmitted via radio signals to the data collector. As used herein, the term “reception node” refers to either a collector or a repeater. 
         [0011]    The invention provides lists, contained in data files, that define which reception nodes are to receive and transmit the messages from which transmitters. Data transmissions from non-listed transmitters are ignored, meaning that the data is detected but is not transmitted or processed any further. This technique provides a method that makes it unnecessary to provide a large number of redundant data paths between the transmitters and the data collector, thereby reducing data transmissions from the intermediate level to the data collector. 
         [0012]    The configuring of the data collectors and the receivers is performed through a computer which can upload data files from the data collector and download data files to the data collector. The data collector can also communicate data to configure the intermediate level repeaters. 
         [0013]    The invention provides the capability for managing lists of active transmitters for each repeater. The invention also provides the ability to manage the list of any specific repeater, including the addition or deletion of active transmitters, resetting the list and accomplishing other functions. 
         [0014]    One object of the invention is to set up a network with minimum data path redundancy while assuring good communications between the repeaters and the data collector. 
         [0015]    Another object of the invention is to compensate for reception problems from a particular remote site by reassigning a transmitter to a different reception node. 
         [0016]    An additional object of the invention is to provide a communications network which is designed as an automatic meter reading system. 
         [0017]    A further object of the invention is to provide a communications network for collecting data from a large number of meters distributed over a geographical region, such as a town or municipality. 
         [0018]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows and from the drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, and which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the network apparatus for practicing the method of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating management of path redundancy in the network of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a screen display of data received from a data collector seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4-12  are screen displays on a system management computer seen in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a second screen display of data and command buttons received from the data collector seen in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a group of utility meters  10   a - 10   d  are distributed at some distance apart at various sites of utility customers including residences, apartments, businesses or other locations. These locations are within a geographical service area, such as a town or municipality, where a utility, such as water, gas or electricity, is provided. The following description will be in relation to elements  10   a - 12   a,  with the understanding that elements  10   b - 10   d,    11   b - 11   d  and  12   b - 12   d  represent additional units of the same description. In each assembly, a meter register  11   a - 11   d  is mounted on meters  10   a - 10   d  for converting meter revolutions to electrical signals representing units of consumption of the utility. 
         [0025]    Examples of meter registers  11   a - 11   d  that can be used in include: 1) a pulse generating type which generates a raw pulse count in binary form and 2) an optical encoder type in which an analog position of several number wheels is converted to a digitized number representing a number of consumption units. The meter data is transmitted, in this example, from meter registers  11   a - 11   d  through wires to electronic transmitter modules  12   a - 12   d  as twenty (20) bits of information. It is also known in the art to integrate the transmitter modules and meter registers into a single unit. 
         [0026]    In this embodiment, the modules  12   a - 12   d  have only a transmitter, which is operated periodically to transmit signals. In alternative embodiments, the transmitter modules  12   a - 12   d  can be interrogated or awakened periodically by an incoming signal and can respond by transmitting meter data to a receiver or reader. 
         [0027]    As known in the art, the transmitter modules  12   a - 12   d  each include an antenna (not shown) for wireless transmission of data and at least one circuit board with solid state electronics including a microelectronic CPU, memory, and RF circuitry for converting digital data to RF signals for transmission. In this embodiment, the transmissions are initiated by the transmitter at predetermined intervals such as every three (3) hours. The meter data includes a transmitter serial number, which is unique to the transmitter. The message also includes the meter data, which can be a binary number of pulses or a digitized conversion of an analog number. This is followed by several bytes of transmitter status data showing various conditions at the meter, including leak detection status. Lastly, there is an error correction code, known as a CRC. The message data is scrambled for transmission using a hamming code. 
         [0028]    In meter data networks, the reader or receiver for receiving signals from the transmitters  12   a - 12   d  can be fixed or mobile. In the present preferred embodiment the data collector  13  and the repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  are fixed; they do not change location. The data is transmitted from the transmitter via RF wireless signals either 1) directly to a data collector  13 , in the case of transmitter  12   e  operating with meter register  11   e  and meter  10   e  or 2) to a repeater  14   a ,  14   b  in the case of transmitters 12a-12d. 
         [0029]    To increase the coverage over a geographical service area, it is known to use repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  to extend the range from which a group of transmitters  12   a - 12   d  can be serviced by an individual collector  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the communication is initiated by the transmitter  12   a - 12   d  or the repeater  14   a ,  14   b  and not by the data collector  13 . The transmission is one-way and it is wireless. 
         [0030]    The repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  have both a radio transmitter  14   c  and a radio receiver  14   d.  They may include modulating and demodulating circuitry  14   e  and other logic circuitry or a CPU (not shown) to perform other processing tasks or they may simply receive meter data signals from the transmitters  12   a - 12   d  located proximate the meters  10   a - 10   d  and use a transmitter  14   c  to relay the data in RF signals to a receiver or collector  13 . In the present invention, the data collector  13  can receive and process data from up to eight thousand utility meters  10 . The data collector  13  is connected through a modem  13   c,  the public telephone network  15  and a suitable modem  16   a ,  17   a  at the other end to a control center computer  16  or  17 . Some systems will utilize multiple data collectors  13 , thus replicating the portion of the system described below. Data can be collected from these additional data collectors  13  by one control center computer  16  or  17  of suitable capacity. 
         [0031]    The present embodiment uses a dial-up communication and RS-232 network communication over a communication link  15  between the computer  16  or  17  and the data collector  13 . In this embodiment the communication link is the common public switched telephone network (PSTN). In other embodiments, a wired or wireless network, or a combination of these, including communication through the Internet, can be used as the communication link  15 . The computer  16  or  17  is located at the office of a utility or managing entity that has responsibility for collecting, analyzing and processing the utility meter data, so that utility consumption can be billed to the utility customers. 
         [0032]    The repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  add data to the messages received from the transmitters  12   a - 12   d  . The messages from the repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  include a logic number or delay number that determines the timing of transmissions to the data collector  13  so as to avoid collisions with data coming from other repeaters. The repeater message also includes a repeater ID number. This number may not be unique within the entire system as repeaters in different areas may have the same ID number, but the data collector  13  will distinguish messages based on a combination of the repeater ID and the transmitter ID number considered together. The message also contains an antenna number and a signal strength number. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the data collector  13  and the repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  each have two antennas  13   a ,  13   b ,  14   f ,  14   g  and switch between these antennas according to the best detected signal strength of signals being received or are switched after a certain time interval. The messages from the repeater  14   a ,  14   b  also include all of the data received from the transmitters  12   a - 12   d.    
         [0033]    The messages are received via RF signals by a receiver portion  13   d  of the data collector  13 . The data collector  13  is a DOS-programmable PC-based system that is designed to operate unattended in the area of operation. The data collector  13  has a CPU, a memory and other electronics equivalent to a personal computer (PC). It also has a port for connection of a local user interface computer (not shown) and a port for connection to a modem  13   d  and the telephone line  15 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a snapshot of data stored in the data collector as can be displayed on a screen of a DOS-operating-system computer plugged into a communication port on the data collector  13 . In the data collector  13 , data is identified by the transmitter, TxID, from which it was received, and the repeater, Rp, from which it was received. The other data is defined in the following table of definitions: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 COLLECTOR DATA DEFINITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Term 
                 Definition 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 AMR 
                 Meter identification number. 
               
               
                   
                 Reading 
                 Current meter reading. 
               
               
                   
                 T 
                 Pulse resolution. 
               
               
                   
                 Counter 
                 Current pulse count. 
               
               
                   
                 LT 
                 Status information concerning leakage or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tampering. 
               
               
                   
                 TxID 
                 Transmitter identification. 
               
               
                   
                 N 
                 Number of meters connected to transmitter. 
               
               
                   
                 RxCNT 
                 Reception count. 
               
               
                   
                 TxCNT 
                 Transmission count. 
               
               
                   
                 Rp-&gt; 
                 Repeater assignment received by collector. 
               
               
                   
                 Rp&lt;- 
                 Repeater assignment acknowledge by repeater. 
               
               
                   
                 Date Time 
                 Date and time stamp of last transmission. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    At the bottom of the screen are function keys, F2-F9, which together with the conventional cursor keys can be used to navigate to any particular data item and edit that item. 
         [0036]    This capability allows the transmitter numbers to be initialized or preset in the collector  13  to recognize messages from the transmitters with those ID numbers. The data collector  13  also receives condition status data about the transmitter  12   a - 12   d  and maintains certain condition status data regarding the data collector  13  itself. 
         [0037]    A database of metering data is stored on the control center computer, which may be a non-portable computer  16  or a laptop computer  17  as seen in  FIG. 1 . This computer  16  or  17  runs application programs or routines including: 1) a database management system; 2) a file exporting utility application for exporting files of data from the database; and 3) an application by which a user can view a time-stamped snapshot of metering data in the control center computer and in the data collector  13 . The database is provided with the capability of importing files data to be uploaded from the collector  13 , and exporting files of data to be downloaded to the collector  13  and eventually to the repeaters  14   a ,  14   b . 
         [0038]    The control center computer  16  or  17  obtains data from the data collector  13  by dialing up the data collector  13  over the telephone network  15  and executing file transfers using a serial data, RS-232 protocol. In alternate embodiments, files can be uploaded and downloaded through the Internet. 
         [0039]    Prior to running a system management program in the utility center computer  16  or  17 , a number of transmitters  12  and repeaters  14  are placed in the field. The number of repeaters  14  is typically a small number compared to the number of transmitters  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  illustrates how, for example, ninety-nine transmitters  12 , further identified as XMTR  1 -XMTR  99 , can be distributed in a first portion of a service area, AREA  1 , and one hundred transmitters  12 , further identified as XMTR  100 -XMTR  199 , can be distributed in a second portion of a service area, AREA  2 . Some of the transmitters  12 , XMTR  1 -XMTR  99 , will transmit messages that are received by both the first repeater  14   a,  further identified as REPEATER  1 , and the second repeater  14   b,  further identified as REPEATER  2 . The number of one hundred transmitters per area is only exemplary; the repeaters can serve larger numbers of transmitters. It is also possible for transmitters, such as transmitter  12   e  to transmit directly to a data collector  13 , when the transmitters are within suitable range. There can be additional service areas or portions of service areas served by repeaters in the system up to “N”, where typically “N” is a number less than ten. When that many repeaters are in included in the system, an additional data collector should be considered. 
         [0041]    The control center computer,  16  or  17 , downloads lists (contained in data files)  19   a ,  19   b  to the data collector  13  which contain assignments of the transmitters to specific repeaters. These lists  19   a ,  19   b  are further downloaded to the repeaters  14   a ,  14   b . Assignments are confirmed by data files uploaded to the control center computer  16  or  17 . As a result, while a redundant data path may be allowed for XMTR  1  due to difficulties in receiving its transmissions at a particular repeater, redundant data paths are not allowed (represented by the dashed line) for XMTR  100  and other transmitters exhibiting normal update rates. 
         [0042]    The invention is further implemented by executing a system management computer program in the utility center computer  16  or  17 . The first step is to assign repeaters  14   a ,  14   b  to the collector  13  using a table in a screen display  20  seen in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 4 , five repeaters, with ID numbers from 4001 to 4005, and aliases from “1” to “5” are assigned to the data collector, C 1 . Repeaters can be added or deleted from the list. The table results in a file of data that can be downloaded to the data collector  13 . 
         [0043]    A call is initiated to the data collector  13  through the screen display  21  in  FIG. 5  to download a data file such as described in relation to  FIG. 4 . An OK button  21   a  is actuated to initiate the call. The Exit button  21   b  is actuated to return to a previous screen without contacting the data collector  13 . Once the call is initiated, a dialog box will be opened to display the status of the call and the progress of the download of data to the collector  13 . A similar procedure is used to upload a data file with data from the repeaters and transmitters in the field. 
         [0044]    The data typically received for a transmitter includes the following items seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 TRANSMITTER STATUS DATA DEFINITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Term 
                 Definition 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 AMR 
                 A network identification number. 
               
               
                   
                 Trans. 
                 A transmitter ID number. 
               
               
                   
                 Last Rx 
                 A timestamp of the last received 
               
               
                   
                   
                 transmission. 
               
               
                   
                 Max Rx 
                 Maximum receptions during a selected period 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for the reception node specified in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 suggested column. 
               
               
                   
                 Total Rx 
                 Total receptions. 
               
               
                   
                 Days w/o Rx 
                 Number of days without any reception from a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 transmitter. 
               
               
                   
                 Avg/day 
                 Average number of transmissions received per 
               
               
                   
                   
                 day for the selected period. 
               
               
                   
                 Suggested 
                 The reception node assignment suggested by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the System Management program. 
               
               
                   
                 Actual 
                 The left-most part shows the current 
               
               
                   
                   
                 reception node assignment in the collection 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unit, the right-most part shows the current 
               
               
                   
                   
                 reception node last confirmed by the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 repeater. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0045]    The “Last Rx” timestamp, the “Max Rx” and Total Rx” reception numbers, the “Avg/day” reception number, and the “Days w/o Rx” reception number allow the monitoring of reception rates for individual meters. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows a system management screen display  22  which is displayed for summarizing the number of transmitters and repeaters associated with a data collector  13 , the number of transmitters selected for update in data box  28 , the number of repeaters associated with a data collector  13  and the number of repeaters selected for update, when data is downloaded. 
         [0047]    To download data, a call is placed by actuating the “Initiate Call” button  23  and then by actuating the “Update Collector” button  24 . There are also buttons  25 ,  26  for accessing details of the transmitter status and repeater status. There is also a calculation of transmission path redundancy in a display area  27 . 
         [0048]    When the detail button  25  is actuated, a Transmitters Status screen display  29  is seen as shown in  FIG. 7 . This screen shows recommended reception node assignments for the transmitters in the “Suggested” column  29   a.  These suggested assignments can be accepted by actuating the “Accept” button  29   b  near the bottom of the screen in  FIG. 7 . After this action, individual transmitters 16000006 and 16000007 can be re-assigned to Repeaters with Aliases “1” and “2” under the “Chosen” column  29   c  as seen in  FIG. 8 . At the bottom of the screen, command links  29   d,    29   e,    29   f  for three options appear: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Select All 
                 Select all transmitters for update. 
               
               
                   
                 Clear All 
                 Clear all transmitter selections. 
               
               
                   
                 Select Diff. 
                 Select only those transmitters with changed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 data for update. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0049]    In this example, the “Select Different” link  29   f  was actuated, so only two manually altered transmitters are selected for update in data box  28  in  FIG. 6 , since only their chosen assignments differ from that appearing in the collector  13 .  FIG. 6  shows that these two transmitters have been selected for update in the collector  13 . After this assignment, when a file of data is downloaded to the data collector and data is further transmitted to repeater  4001 , it will recognize and process transmissions from transmitter 16000006. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows a screen display  30  which is displayed for showing the details of the repeater status. The repeaters are listed in the ID field  30   a  and the Alias field  30   b.    
         [0051]    The data which can be displayed for each repeater is defined as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 REPEATER STATUS DEFINITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Term 
                 Definition 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 ID 
                 Unique repeater identification. 
               
               
                   
                 Alias 
                 The alias assigned by the system operator. 
               
               
                   
                 Last Rx 
                 Date and time stamp of last transmission. 
               
               
                   
                 Tx 
                 Number of transmitters assigned to a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 repeater. 
               
               
                   
                 Total Tx 
                 Total number of transmitters assigned to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Repeater for all Collectors to which the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 repeater is allocated. 
               
               
                   
                 % Capacity 
                 The percent of capacity currently assigned. 
               
               
                   
                 Last 
                 The mode in which the repeater was operating 
               
               
                   
                 Download 
               
               
                   
                 Mode 
                 during the collector download operation. 
               
               
                   
                 Last Command 
                 The last command sent to a repeater. 
               
               
                   
                 Sent 
                 during the collector download operation. 
               
               
                   
                 Repeater 
                 The most recent repeater response following 
               
               
                   
                 Response 
                 a collector update operation. 
               
               
                   
                 Last Update 
                 Time stamp of the last repeater update. 
               
               
                   
                 Command Req. 
                 The mode in which a repeater is to be set. 
               
               
                   
                 Update 
                 Selected to update the repeater. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0052]    At the bottom of the repeaters status screen display, command links  32 , 33  for two options appear: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Select All 
                 Select all repeaters for update. 
               
               
                   
                 Clear All 
                 Clear all repeater selections. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0053]    The three modes of repeater operation are “Open,” “List” and “Negative.” In the “Open” mode of operation which is used only for configuration operations, transmissions from any transmitters are accepted by the repeaters and re-transmitted to the collector. The “List” mode represents the normal mode of operation, where only transmitters on a list in the reception node, either a repeater or a collector, are received. In a Negative mode, only those transmitters that are “not on a list” are received by all reception nodes which can receive them. This is a second configuration mode, which is used for listing unassigned transmitters. 
         [0054]    The “Open,” “List” and “Negative” buttons  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  are operable to all listed repeaters at once. It is also possible to operate on any specific repeater using a pull-down menu with options for Reset Repeater List, Open, List and Negative. 
         [0055]    If the “List” button  34  is actuated, the system management screen display  22  is updated to show an update of five (5) repeaters in the box  40 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The Update Collector button is then actuated to download a file to the collector including the corresponding transmitter lists for repeaters transmitting to that collector. 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows the system management screen display  22  from  FIG. 5 , with data in box  41  showing that two (2) transmitters were on the repeater list when the repeater list was updated, but that the update to the repeaters has not yet occurred. The transmitter status area also shows that one hundred thirty-seven of the transmitters have not been assigned on any list. The repeater status area shows that four repeaters were put in the List mode, while one repeater selected for update did not respond. 
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows a repeater status history screen display  45  that is displayed when the details button  26  is actuated in the system management screen display  22 . This window  45  provides information to confirm the downloading of the list which assigned the two unassigned transmitters to a specific repeater and the uploading of the repeater list for examination. 
         [0058]    If a transmitter is not assigned to a repeater, the repeater will ignore transmissions from that transmitter. In this way, path redundancy is limited to a few specific instances where signal interference is a problem, such that signals are not received by an assigned repeater within the time interval required to update meter data in the data collector. 
         [0059]    Transmitters can be re-assigned from one repeater to another for better reception at the second repeater. This may occur when geography or reception conditions interfere with signals transmitted to the first repeater. 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  shows an added capability where commands can be executed at the collector level using an external computer connected to a port on the collector. When the F1 key is depressed a help screen display seen in  FIG. 13  appears. An individual repeater is selected by entering Shift+F8. The other available commands using the Shift Key and the function keys F2-F8 are shown in  FIG. 13 . With these commands, a transmitter or repeater can be added or deleted to a list at the collector level. In addition the three modes of repeater operation can be initiated. Communications with a repeater can be tested. And, the repeater&#39;s transmitter list can be reset. 
         [0061]    From this description, it should now be apparent how the invention provides the capability for managing a list of transmitters for each repeater. The invention provides the capability to manage the list of any specific repeater including the adding or deleting transmitters, resetting the list and accomplishing other housekeeping activities. 
         [0062]    The invention also provides for identification of the existing reception path from each transmitter associated with a data collector. The invention allows reporting of both detailed and summary data on the data path(s) from each transmitter to the data collector(s). The invention allows analysis of data to determine the optimum reception path for the receipt of data from each transmitter by a system management computer. 
         [0063]    This has been a description of several preferred embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent that various modifications and details can be varied without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and these are intended to come within the scope of the following claims.