Frequency hopping spread spectrum communications system

1. A method of communicating a data message via a transceiver using spread spectrum communications, each byte of the data message being communicated at least a predetermined number of times over a sequence of data channels by a transmitter, the method comprising:

transmitting a preamble over a predetermined number of preamble channels; and

transmitting the data message by communicating groups of data bytes that each comprises a subset of the data message over the sequence of data channels,

wherein a number of bytes that comprises each group of data bytes is determined in accordance with a number of channels in the sequence of data channels and the at least predetermined number of times each byte of the data messages is to be transmitted.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preamble is transmitted over the predetermined number of preamble channels for a period of time sufficient in duration such that a receiver may receive the preamble.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the preamble is concluded with a unique stop character and wherein the preamble is utilized to develop bit timing and hop frequency.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising investigating, at the receiver, the predetermined number of preamble channels to search for the preamble, each of the predetermined number of preamble channels being associated with a predetermined number of data channels in each sequence of data channels.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of bytes that comprises each group of data bytes is such that a receiver can receive the entire data message when one of the data channels is blocked by interference.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting a preamble over the predetermined number of preamble channels further comprises transmitting a redundant preamble with said preamble in a same packet.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

investigating, at the receiver, the preamble channels, one of said preamble channels being a redundant preamble channel; and

upon receiving the preamble, investigating the redundant preamble channel to receive the redundant preamble.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein if the receiver does not receive the redundant preamble, the method further comprising determining a hop frequency based on the preamble to receive the data message over the sequence of data channels.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein when the receiver receives a unique stop character associated with the redundant preamble, the method further comprising determining a hop frequency to receive the data message over the sequence of data channels.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the preamble and redundant preamble are transmitted over the predetermined number of preamble channels for a period of time sufficient in duration such that a receiver may receive the preamble and redundant preamble.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising, investigating, at the receiver, the predetermined number of preamble channels to search for the preamble and the redundant preamble, each of the predetermined number of preamble channels being associated with a predetermined number of data channels in each sequence of data channels.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data message comprise utility metering information, and wherein the transceiver resides in utility metering equipment.

13. A transceiver for use in a frequency hopping spread spectrum communication system, comprising:

a microcontroller;

a transmitter comprising a voltage controlled frequency generator and a power amplifier;

a receiver comprising an amplifier, a mixer, an IF amplifier, a demodulator, and a data slicer,

wherein when the transceiver is transmitting, the transmitter communicates a preamble over a predetermined number of preamble channels, and thereafter communicates groups of data bytes that each comprises a subset of a data message over a predetermined sequence of data channels,

wherein when the transceiver is receiving, the receiver investigates the predetermined number of preamble channels to search for the preamble, each of the predetermined number of preamble channels being associated with a predetermined number of data channels in each sequence of data channels, and

wherein a number of bytes that comprises each group of data bytes is determined in accordance with a number of channels in the sequence of data channels and at least a predetermined number of times each byte of the data message is to be transmitted.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the number of bytes that comprises each group of data bytes is such that a receiver can receive the entire data message when one of the data channels is blocked by interference.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein transmitting preamble over the preamble channels comprises transmitting a redundant preamble with said preamble in a same packet.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a receiver investigates the preamble channels, one of said preamble channels being a redundant preamble channel, and upon receiving the preamble, the receiver investigates the redundant preamble channel to receive the redundant preamble.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein if the receiver does not receive the redundant preamble, the receiver determines a hop frequency based on the preamble to receive the data message over the predetermined sequence of data channels.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the preamble and the redundant preamble are transmitted over the predetermined number of preamble channels for a period of time sufficient in duration such that the receiver may receive the preamble and redundant preamble.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the receiver investigates the predetermined number of preamble channels to search for the preamble and the redundant preamble, each of the predetermined number of preamble channels being associated with a predetermined number of data channels in each sequence of data channels.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the data message comprises utility metering information, and wherein the transceiver resides in utility metering equipment.