Meshed networking of access points in a utility network

A network, comprising:

• a plurality of subnetworks, each subnetwork comprising:
• one or more measuring nodes;
• and
• an access point configured to communicate with the one or more measuring nodes,
• wherein the subnetworks are configured to collect or send data representative of or controlling consumption of a commodity or its usage at their associated measuring nodes from their respective access points;
• a node external to the subnetworks;
• an access point network interface associated with each of the access points of the subnetworks, each access point network interface configured to communicate with access points of other subnetworks;
• and
• a plurality of backhaul network interfaces, each backhaul network interface associated with a respective access point of the subnetworks, each backhaul network interface configured to be selectively activated or disabled to relay data from the subnetworks to the node external to the subnetworks,
• wherein the access points of the subnetworks are configured to forward data to an activated backhaul network interface to be relayed to the node external to the subnetworks.

A method of communicating in a network, comprising:

• establishing a plurality of subnetworks, each subnetwork comprising one or more measuring nodes;
• communicating, by an access point, with the one or more measuring nodes, wherein the subnetworks are configured to send and receive data representative of or controlling consumption of a commodity or its usage to and from their associated measuring nodes via their respective access points;
• associating an access point network interface with each of the access points of the subnetworks, each access point network interface configured to communicate with access points of other subnetworks;
• and
• associating a backhaul network interface with a designated access point of one of the subnetworks, said backhaul network interface configured to communicate with a node external to the subnetworks,
• wherein the access points of the subnetworks are configured to forward data to the designated access point to be relayed to the node external to the subnetworks.

A method of communicating in a network, comprising:

• establishing a plurality of subnetworks, each subnetwork comprising one or more measuring nodes;
• communicating, by an access point, with the one or more measuring nodes, wherein the subnetworks are configured to send and receive data representative of or controlling consumption of a commodity or its usage to and from their associated measuring nodes via their respective access points;
• and
• associating an access point network interface with each of the access points of the subnetworks, each access point network interface configured to communicate with access points of other subnetworks;
• and
• providing a plurality of backhaul network interfaces, each backhaul network interface associated with a respective access point of the subnetworks, each backhaul network interface configured to be selectively activated or disabled to relay data from the subnetworks to the node external to the subnetworks,
• wherein the access points of the subnetworks are configured to forward data to an activated backhaul network interface to be relayed to the node external to the subnetworks.

An access point for a utility network that includes a plurality of subnetworks, comprising:

• a first interface configured to communicate with one or more measuring nodes comprising a subnetwork;
• a second interface configured to communicate with access points of other subnetworks;
• a third interface configured to communicate with a node external to the subnetworks;
• and
• a controller configured to forward data received at said second interface from access points of other subnetworks to said third interface to be relayed to the node external to the subnetworks.