Configuration over power distribution lines

摘要

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward the use of broadcast transmissions to multiple endpoint devices. These broadcast transmissions can be particularly useful for reducing the communication bandwidth used during transmission of configuration data to the endpoint devices. In order to implement the broadcast communications, the present disclosure describes a mechanism for configuring targeted endpoint devices to be responsive to the broadcast communications. For instance, a configuration command can be sent to each of the targeted endpoint devices. The configuration command can include a virtual ID. The targeted endpoint devices can configure themselves to listen for subsequent broadcast messages addressed to the virtual ID. Configuration data can then be sent using the virtual ID and associated broadcast messages.

主权项

1. A method for providing configuration data while conserving bandwidth of communications over power distribution lines carrying alternating current (AC) power, where bandwidth is shared between a plurality of endpoint devices that are configured to provide utility usage data over the power distribution lines, the method comprising:
identifying a group of endpoint devices, from the plurality of endpoint devices, that are targeted for changes to stored configuration data; developing a communication plan by selecting between group identifications (IDs) for subsets of the plurality of endpoint devices, the selection responsive to correspondence to one or more endpoints in the group of endpoint devices and based upon the available bandwidth on the power distribution lines; communicating, over the power distribution lines, a configuration request according to the communication plan and by broadcasting the request to the selected group ID(s); communicating, over power distribution lines, configuration commands to the group of endpoint devices using broadcast messages that reduce the data bandwidth over power distribution lines, and wherein the step of communicating a configuration request includes associating an assignment of the group of endpoint devices to a virtual ID and wherein the step of communicating configuration commands includes configuring the broadcast messages to use the virtual ID common to the group of endpoint devices; communicating, over power distribution lines, utility usage data interspersed with confirmation data indicating that the configuration commands were received by the group of endpoint devices; and adjusting the communication plan in response to the confirmation.