DUAL MODE MULTI-NETWORK AMR SYSTEM ENDPOINT AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Automatic meter reading system anddevices providing for dual mode mesh network andnon-mesh network endpoint communication. The systemincludes a plurality of endpoint devices communicativelycoupled to at least one data collection device. At least oneendpoint device is configurable to operate in a first modeor a second mode. At least one endpoint is adapted toindependently determine whether to operate in the firstmode or the second mode. In the first mode the endpointoperates according to a hub-and-spoke communicationmode in which it communicates information intended fora data collection infrastructure device directly to at leastone dedicated data collection infrastructure device. In thesecond mode the endpoint operates according to a meshcommunications mode in which it communicatesinformation intended for a data collection infrastructure devicevia a non-dedicated data collection infrastructure device.At least some of the endpoint devices are capable ofswitching between a mesh-network mode and a non-meshnetwork mode.