Wireless transmission synchronization using a power line signal

A gateway, comprising:

• a communication interface;
• a memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• a processor, coupled to the communications interface and memory, configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to:
• determine a time delay from a zero crossing of a power line signal,
• obtain network information from the at least one Faulted Circuit Indicator (FCI) from the plurality of FCIs,
• identify a proximate FCI, which is closest to a gateway based on at least one link parameter,
• assign the determined time delay to the proximate FCI, and
• receive confirmations that at least one FCI received the determined time delay, and has synchronized transmissions based on the determined time delay and the zero crossings of the power signal.

A method to synchronize transmissions, comprising:

• receiving a request for network information from a gateway;
• transmitting network information in response to the received request;
• receiving a time delay from an adjacent fault condition indicator (FCI) or gateway;
• synchronizing transmissions according to the received time delay and a frequency based on zero crossings of a power line signal;
• and
• providing fault condition information over the synchronized transmissions.

A faulted circuit indicator (FCI), comprising:

• a power line sensor;
• a digital interface coupled to the power line sensor;
• a wireless communication interface;
• a memory configured to store instructions;
• a processor, coupled to the digital interface, the communications interface, and the memory, configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to:
• receive a request for network information from a gateway,
• transmit network information in response to the received request,
• receive a time delay from an adjacent FCI or gateway,
• synchronize transmissions according to the received time delay and a frequency based on zero crossings of a power line signal, and
• provide fault condition information over the synchronized transmissions;
• and
• a backup power source coupled to the processor, the memory, the power line sensor, the digital interface, and the wireless communication interface.