Use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network

A method for optimizing an advanced metering system mesh network, comprising:

• establishing a network including a central facility root node and a plurality of node devices, at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices;
• configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central facility root node and each of the plurality of node devices;
• computing an average local propagation delay for each one-hop link;
• propagating global propagation delay information from the central facility root node to each of the node devices on a step by step basis;
• storing global propagation delay information at each node device;
• and
• conducting communications using a path corresponding to the shortest value of total propagation delay based on the stored global propagation delay information and the average local propagation delay,
• whereby each node device may select a communications path based only on knowledge of its own average local propagation delay and the global propagation delay information from immediate neighbor node devices.

An advanced metering system mesh network, comprising:

• a central facility root node;
• and
• a plurality of node devices, each node device configured for bi-directional communications with said central facility root node, at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices;
• wherein each node device is further configured to compute an average propagation delay for each one-hop link to itself in the mesh network and to select the shortest transmission path to said central facility root node based only on its own computed average propagation delay and global propagation delay information stored in its immediate neighbors;
• whereby communications between said central facility root node and said plurality of node devices may be optimized.