Wireless Sensing system

• US 20070052520A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Alrabady, Ansaf, MacDonald, Andrew, Talty, Timothy, Ames, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,683,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0461 externally triggered, e.g. by wireless request signal, magnet or manual switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0464 to avoid signal interference
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2072 with means for preventing jamming or interference of a remote switch control signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a wiring system with conductors distributed in proximity to the plurality of sensors for providing at least one of electrical power and ground distribution, and a forward communication link with an energizer air link coupled to the wiring system. The method for wireless sensor interrogation includes providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a wiring system with conductors in proximity to the plurality of sensors for providing at least one of electrical power and ground distribution, transmitting radio frequency signals through the wiring system and air linking transmitted radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors through the conductors.

Claims

1. Wireless sensing system comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area;

a wiring system including conductors distributed in proximity to said plurality of sensors within said predefined area including for at least one of electrical power and ground distribution; and

a forward communication link including an energizer air link coupled to said wiring system, the energizer adapted to provide radio frequency signals intended for the plurality of radio frequency sensors to the wiring system, the wiring system effective for air linking said radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless sensors.

2. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air link is near field.

3. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a reverse communication link including a reader adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors.

4. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wiring system comprises a vehicular wiring harness.

5. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wiring system comprises a wiring distribution center and said energizer is air link coupled to said wiring system at said wiring distribution center.

6. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the air link is near field.

7. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the reader is adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors exclusively via air links.

8. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the reader is air link coupled to said wiring system, the reader adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors via said wiring system.

9. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the air links are near field.

10. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said wiring system comprises a wiring distribution center and said energizer is air link coupled to said wiring system at said wiring distribution center.

11. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the air link is near field.

12. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the reader is air link coupled to said wiring system at said wiring distribution center, the reader adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors via said wiring system.

13. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the air links are near field.

14. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the energizer and reader comprise a transceiver.

15. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the energizer and reader comprise a transceiver.

16. Method for wireless sensor interrogation, comprising:

providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area;

providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a wiring system including conductors in proximity to said plurality of sensors distributed within said predefined area including for at least one of electrical power and ground distribution;

transmitting radio frequency signals through the wiring system; and

air linking transmitted radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors through conductors proximate the plurality of sensors.

17. The method for wireless sensor interrogation as claimed in claim 16 wherein:

providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a leaky waveguide antenna includes coupling the energizer to the leaky waveguide antenna via an air link.

18. The method for wireless sensor interrogation as claimed in claim 16 wherein:

providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a leaky waveguide antenna includes coupling the energizer to the leaky waveguide antenna via a close field air link.

19. The method for wireless sensor interrogation as claimed in claim 16 further comprising:

providing a reverse communication link including a reader adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors.

20. The method for wireless sensor interrogation as claimed in claim 19 wherein:

providing a reverse communication link including a reader adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors includes receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors exclusively via air links.

21. The method for wireless sensor interrogation as claimed in claim 19 wherein:

providing a reverse communication link including a reader adapted to receive radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors includes air linking the reader to said wiring system; and

receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors through conductors proximate the plurality of sensors.