Node for providing power and communication functionality to field deployed systems

A node for providing electrical power and one or more communication links to a field deployed system, the node comprising:

• at least one power outlet;
• a power distributor configured to:
• receive electrical power from an external power source, selectably convert the electrical power, and controllably distribute the electrical power to the field deployed system through the at least one power outlet, and
• distribute the electrical power to the field deployed system through the at least one power outlet;
• an interface comprising a plurality of data ports separate from the at least one power outlet and configured to be connected to data lines of a corresponding plurality of components of the field deployed system;
• at least one transceiver configured to transmit or receive data associated with the plurality of components of the field deployed system through a plurality of communication links;
• a router configured to route communication messages between the plurality of data ports and the plurality of communication links;
• and
• one or more processors configured to control the power distributor, the plurality of data ports, the at least one transceiver, and the router.

A system comprising:

• a central controller comprising one or more applications configured to be executed by one or more computing systems;
• a network configured provide communication between the central controller and a plurality of nodes remote from the central controller, the network comprising radio relay nodes, the network further comprising wireless access points configured to connect wireless communications to a wired terrestrial information technology network;
• the plurality of nodes being configured to provide electrical power and a communication functionality to corresponding field deployed systems, at least one of the plurality of nodes comprising:
• at least one power outlet;
• a plurality of communication links configured to communicate with the central controller through the network;
• an interface comprising a plurality of data ports separate from the at least one power outlet and configured to be connected to data lines of a corresponding plurality of components of the field deployed system;
• a router configured to route communication messages between the plurality of data ports and the plurality of communication links;
• a power distributor configured to:
• receive electrical power from an external power source, selectably convert the electrical power, and controllably distribute the electrical power to the field deployed system through the at least one power outlet, and
• distribute the electrical power to the field deployed system through the at least one power outlet;
• and
• one or more processors configured to control the plurality of communication links, the interface, the router, and the power distributor.