Synchronization methods and apparatus

1. A data collection system, comprising:

a meter to monitor usage of a resource provided by a utility service provider;

a collection device to collect usage information from the meter and to provide the usage information to the utility service provider, wherein:

the collection device is to convey data frames of a sequential series in a maintenance window in accordance with a schedule;

the collection device is to adhere to the schedule according to a global absolute time source;

the meter is to initiate a listening session in accordance with the schedule;

the meter is to adhere to the schedule according to a native clock of the meter;

the meter is to adjust the native clock to correspond to the global absolute time source by determining a position of one of the data frames received first during the listening session.

2. A data collection system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the meter is to adjust the native clock by combining the determined position of the first-received data frame and an amount of time between respective ones of the data frames.

3. A data collection system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the collection device is to include identifying information with each of the data frames to enable the meter to determine the position of each of the data frames within the sequential series.

4. A data collection system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the meter is to store the schedule in local memory.

5. A data collection system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the schedule is defined and provided to the meter via a host computing system associated with the utility service provider.

6. A meter, comprising:

a usage monitor to calculate usage information associated with consumption of a resource supplied by a utility;

memory to store a schedule of maintenance windows, the schedule indicating:

a first time at which a collection device is scheduled to transmit a series of data frames to the meter according to a global absolute time source; and

a second time at which the meter is to begin listening for the series of data frames according to a native clock of the meter; and

a clock adjuster to:

when a first one of the series of data frames is received during a listening session initiated at the second time:

determine a position of the first data frame in the series;

calculate a difference between the native clock of the meter and the global absolute time source based on the position of the first data frame in series; and

adjust the native clock of the meter based on the difference.

7. A method, comprising:

monitoring, via a meter, usage of a resource provided by a utility service provider;

collecting, via a collection device, usage information from the meter and providing the usage information to the utility service provider;

conveying, via the collection device, data frames of a sequential series in a maintenance window in accordance with a schedule;

adhering the collection device to the schedule according to a global absolute time source;

initiating, at the meter, a listening session in accordance with the schedule;

adhering the meter to the schedule according to a native clock of the meter;

adjusting, via the meter, the native clock to correspond to the global absolute time source by determining a position of one of the data frames received first during the listening session.

8. A method as defined in claim 7 , further comprising adjusting, via the meter, the native clock by combining the determined position of the first-received data frame and an amount of time between respective ones of the data frames.

9. A method as defined in claim 7 , further comprising including, via the collection device, identifying information with each of the data frames to enable the meter to determine the position of each of the data frames within the sequential series.

10. A method as defined in claim 7 , further comprising storing the schedule in local memory of the meter.

11. A method as defined in claim 7 , wherein the schedule is defined and provided to the meter via a host computing system associated with the utility service provider.

12. A method, comprising:

calculating usage information associated with consumption of a resource supplied by a utility;

storing a schedule of maintenance windows, the schedule indicating:

a first time at which a collection device is scheduled to transmit a series of data frames to a meter according to a global absolute time source; and

a second time at which the meter is to begin listening for the series of data frames according to a native clock of the meter; and

when a first one of the series of data frames is received during a listening session initiated at the second time:

determining a position of the first data frame in the series;

calculating a difference between the native clock of the meter and the global absolute time source based on the position of the first data frame in series; and

adjusting the native clock of the meter based on the difference.

13. A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a meter to at least:

calculate usage information associated with consumption of a resource supplied by a utility;

store a schedule of maintenance windows, the schedule indicating:

a first time at which a collection device is scheduled to transmit a series of data frames to the meter according to a global absolute time source; and

a second time at which the meter is to begin listening for the series of data frames according to a native clock of the meter; and

when a first one of the series of data frames is received during a listening session initiated at the second time:

determine a position of the first data frame in the series;

calculate a difference between the native clock of the meter and the global absolute time source based on the position of the first data frame in series; and

adjust the native clock of the meter based on the difference.