Local Visualization for Troubleshooting the RF Mesh Network in a Wireless Metering System

TLDR: A visualization of a network containing wireless meters installed with RF modules which uses RPL protocol for routing, which makes the whole system stable by removing the irresponsive meters from the network and reconstructing it from the starting.

Abstract: Objectives: To design a visualization of a network containing wireless meters installed with RF modules which uses RPL protocol for routing. Methods/Statistical analysis: Meters are linked wirelessly for obtaining the packets containing its details and other parameters, by using a Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP). Thus, details collected from each meter are used for the construction of the visualization, by dynamically assigning the position of each node. Findings: RPL, routing protocol, is used for the construction of the network. The advantage of its self-healing nature makes the whole system stable by removing the irresponsive meters, when detected, from the network and reconstructing it from the starting. Application/Improvements: Maintenance of such a network which switches its neighbors at different instances may be complicated. In such cases, these visualization methods can be included. In future, the firmware update options for each meter can be implemented along with visualization.