Wireless remote sensor
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a ring oscillator that emits electromagnetic radiation at a characteristic frequency, wherein said ring oscillator comprises an odd number plurality of inverters electrically connected in series;
a temperature stabilized voltage source for supplying voltage to said inverters of said ring oscillator; and
a sensing load for sensing a change in a preselected environmental condition, said sensing load operably connected to said ring oscillator so that when said preselected environmental condition is sensed by said sensing load, said sensing load alters said characteristic frequency of said ring oscillator and thereby alters said electromagnetic radiation emitted by said ring oscillator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing system includes a ring oscillator that emits electromagnetic radiation at a characteristic frequency. The ring oscillator comprises an odd number plurality of inverters that are electrically connected in series. The sensing system also comprises a temperature stabilized voltage source that is used to supply voltage to the inverters of the ring oscillator. A sensing load for sensing a change in a preselected environmental condition is operably connected to the ring oscillator. When the load senses the preselected environmental condition, the sensing load alters the characteristic frequency of the ring oscillator and hence the electromagnetic radiation as emitted by the ring oscillator. A pick-up antenna receives the electromagnetic radiation as emitted by the ring oscillator and detection electronics, operably coupled to the pick-up antenna, measure the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation as received by the pick-up antenna.
43 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a ring oscillator that emits electromagnetic radiation at a characteristic frequency, wherein said ring oscillator comprises an odd number plurality of inverters electrically connected in series; a temperature stabilized voltage source for supplying voltage to said inverters of said ring oscillator; and a sensing load for sensing a change in a preselected environmental condition, said sensing load operably connected to said ring oscillator so that when said preselected environmental condition is sensed by said sensing load, said sensing load alters said characteristic frequency of said ring oscillator and thereby alters said electromagnetic radiation emitted by said ring oscillator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sensor apparatus comprising:
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a ring oscillator having a characteristic gate delay and a characteristic frequency and that emits electromagnetic radiation at said characteristic frequency, wherein said ring oscillator comprises an odd number plurality of inverters electrically connected in series; a temperature stabilized voltage source for supplying voltage to said inverters of said ring oscillator; and a sensing load for sensing a change in a preselected environmental condition, said sensing load operably connected between an output of a last inverter in said odd number plurality of series connected inverters and an input of a first inverter of said odd number plurality of series connected inverters so that when said preselected environmental condition is sensed by said sensing load, said sensing load alters said gate delay and thereby alters said characteristic frequency of said ring oscillator, thereby altering said electromagnetic radiation emitted by said ring oscillator. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detecting a change in an environmental condition comprising:
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providing a ring oscillator having a characteristic gate delay and a characteristic frequency wherein said ring oscillator comprises an odd number plurality of inverters electrically connected in series; providing a temperature stabilized voltage source for supplying voltage to said inverters of said ring oscillator; providing a sensing load for sensing a change in a preselected environmental condition, said sensing load operably connected between an output of a last inverter in said odd number plurality of series connected inverters and an input of a first inverter of said odd number plurality of series connected inverters, so that when said preselected environmental condition is sensed by said sensing load, said sensing load alters said gate delay and thereby alters said characteristic frequency of said ring oscillator; and emitting electromagnetic radiation from said ring oscillator at said characteristic frequency when said preselected environmental condition has not been sensed and emitting electromagnetic radiation from said ring oscillator at a frequency that is altered from said characteristic frequency when said preselected environmental condition is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification