Systems, methods, and devices for powering a mesh network using a portable power case
Systems, methods, and articles for a portable power case are disclosed. The portable power case is comprised of at least one battery and at least one PCB. The portable power case is operable to supply power to a transceiver. The portable power case is operable to be charged using a DC power source (e.g., solar panel, wind turbine, water turbine). A plurality of portable power cases, DC power sources, and transceivers are operable to form a mesh network.
1. A system for powering a mesh network, comprising:
a plurality of portable cases;
a plurality of power sources; and
a plurality of transceivers;
wherein each portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes a printed circuit board (PCB); and
wherein each portable case is electrically connected to at least one power source of the plurality of power sources,
wherein each portable case is connected to at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers;
wherein the plurality of transceivers is operable to form the mesh network;
wherein at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes a kill switch to deactivate the at least one portable case;
wherein at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes at least one lead; and
wherein the at least one lead includes a connector portion and a wiring portion, wherein a spring is provided around the wiring portion, wherein the wiring portion and the spring are held in the at least one portable case such that a portion of the spring is positioned inside the at least one portable case and a portion of the spring is positioned outside the at least one portable case.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one portable case is waterproof or water resistant.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the at least one portable case is lined with a material that is resistant to electromagnetic interference.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source includes a solar panel, a wind turbine, and/or a water turbine.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lead includes a connector portion, wherein the connector portion has an ingress protection (IP) rating of IPX6, IPX7, or IPX8.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one portable case includes an automatic purge valve that is operable to equalize air pressure.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one portable case includes a material that is resistant to heat.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one portable case includes a pass through and/or a threaded receptacle to position an antenna of the at least one transceiver outside of the at least one portable case.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of portable cases is within a line of sight of at least one other portable case of the plurality of portable cases.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the line of sight is a distance between about 0 km and about 5 km.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is installed in a tree, on a pole, on a buoy or other flotation device, on a roof or other part of a building, on a boat, on a vehicle, on a drone, and/or on a plane.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of portable cases is installed in running water or underwater.
13. A system for powering a mesh network, comprising:
a plurality of portable cases;
a plurality of power sources; and
a plurality of transceivers;
wherein at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes at least one battery;
wherein the at least one portable case is electrically connected to at least one power source of the plurality of power sources, wherein the at least one power source is operable to charge the at least one battery;
wherein the at least one portable case is electrically connected to at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers;
wherein the plurality of transceivers is operable to form the mesh network;
wherein at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes a kill switch to deactivate the at least one portable case;
wherein the at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes at least one lead; and
wherein the lead includes a connector portion and a wiring portion, wherein a spring is provided around the wiring portion, wherein a portion of the spring is positioned inside the at least one portable case and a portion of the spring is positioned outside the at least one portable case.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one lead includes a connector portion, wherein the connector portion has an ingress protection (IP) rating of IPX6, IPX7, or IPX8.
15. A system for powering a mesh network, comprising:
a plurality of portable cases;
a plurality of direct current (DC) power sources; and
a plurality of transceivers;
wherein at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes at least one removable battery;
wherein the at least one portable case is electrically connected to at least one DC power source of the plurality of DC power sources;
wherein the at least one portable case is electrically connected to at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers;
wherein the plurality of transceivers is operable to form the mesh network;
wherein the at least one portable case includes control electronics configured to determine a state of charge of the at least one removable battery;
wherein at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes a kill switch to deactivate the at least one portable case;
wherein the at least one portable case of the plurality of portable cases includes at least one lead; and
wherein the lead includes a connector portion and a wiring portion, wherein a spring is provided around the wiring portion.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein an exterior surface of the at least one portable case includes at least one indicator for indicating the state of charge, and wherein the at least one indicator is at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and/or at least one liquid crystal display (LCD).
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the control electronics include a communications interface configured to communicate information related to the state of charge to a network.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the communications interface is coupled to the network through a wired interface or a wireless interface.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the control electronics include at least one processor, and wherein one or more of the at least one processor is programmed to periodically measure the state of charge and send state of charge information to at least one remote device.