Apparatus and method for power management of wirelessly networked devices
First Claim
1. A wireless apparatus for controlling a connectable device, comprising:
- an input power terminal for receiving an input voltage;
a boost converter coupled to the power terminal for converting the input voltage to an output voltage greater than the input voltage;
a controller coupled to the boost converter for establishing the output voltage at a configurable magnitude at a configurable on-time and for a configurable duration;
an output terminal coupled to the power converter for providing the output voltage to the connectable device; and
a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless sensor and actuator network includes a number of wireless nodes, each of which may be connected to any one or combination of analog sensors, digital sensors, and actuators, and is powered by an autonomous power supply such as a battery or solar panel. Since autonomous power sources may not have sufficient voltage for powering many types of analog sensors, digital sensors, and actuators, power management techniques are used in the node and in the autonomous power supply as needed to enable effective and long life operation of the node and connected devices. These power management techniques include the use of a low impedance energy reservoir and a variable voltage boost converter whose output voltage magnitude, duration, and operating times are software configurable and controllable. The power management techniques are particularly useful for operating a wide range of different types of sensors and actuators.
21 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A wireless apparatus for controlling a connectable device, comprising:
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an input power terminal for receiving an input voltage; a boost converter coupled to the power terminal for converting the input voltage to an output voltage greater than the input voltage; a controller coupled to the boost converter for establishing the output voltage at a configurable magnitude at a configurable on-time and for a configurable duration; an output terminal coupled to the power converter for providing the output voltage to the connectable device; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A wireless apparatus for controlling a device that is operable upon application of an operating voltage for a predetermined duration, comprising:
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a controller; an autonomous power source connector; a variable voltage boost converter coupled to the autonomous power source connector and controllable by the controller for converting a voltage on the autonomous power source connector to a configurable output voltage greater than the voltage on the autonomous power source connector for a configurable duration; an input circuit coupled to the controller for receiving data in a coordinated manner with the output voltage; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller for transmitting the data received at the input circuit; wherein the configurable voltage is settable to the device operating voltage, and the configurable duration is settable to the predetermined duration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A wireless apparatus for controlling a connectable device, comprising:
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a lithium-thionyl chloride battery; a low impedance energy reservoir coupled to the lithium-thionyl chloride battery for providing when needed an input voltage at a temporary current in excess of current available from the lithium-thionyl battery; a switch mode power converter coupled to the low impedance energy reservoir for converting the input voltage to an output voltage greater than the input voltage; a controller coupled to the switch mode power converter for establishing the output voltage at a configurable magnitude for a configurable duration; an output terminal coupled to the power converter for providing the output voltage to the connectable device; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of operating a wireless node for controlling a connectable device, comprising:
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providing an input voltage; converting the input voltage to an output voltage greater than the input voltage; establishing the output voltage at a configurable magnitude for a configurable duration; providing the output voltage to the connectable device; and transmitting information relating to the connectable device using radio frequency energy.
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Specification