Sensor and transmission control circuit in adaptive interface package
DCFirst Claim
1. A sensor pack for long term deployment to detect environmental threats, comprising:
- a plurality of sensor modules to detect at least two types of environmental threats, the plurality of sensor modules in a first mode capable of detecting the presence of environmental threats using minimal electrical power, and in a second mode capable of outputting a level of the environmental threats;
an interface module, coupled to the plurality of sensor modules and including a linear voltage regulator, the interface module in a first mode capable of providing the minimal electric power, and in a second mode capable of increasing electric power to one of the plurality sensor modules responsive to the sensor module detecting a threat and receiving a threat level; and
a communication module, coupled to the interface module, the communication module capable of outputting a threat signal responsive to the threat level surpassing a threshold associated with the sensor.
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Abstract
A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a threat sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a threat level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the threat level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the senor pack can output a threat signal to security server.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A sensor pack for long term deployment to detect environmental threats, comprising:
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a plurality of sensor modules to detect at least two types of environmental threats, the plurality of sensor modules in a first mode capable of detecting the presence of environmental threats using minimal electrical power, and in a second mode capable of outputting a level of the environmental threats; an interface module, coupled to the plurality of sensor modules and including a linear voltage regulator, the interface module in a first mode capable of providing the minimal electric power, and in a second mode capable of increasing electric power to one of the plurality sensor modules responsive to the sensor module detecting a threat and receiving a threat level; and a communication module, coupled to the interface module, the communication module capable of outputting a threat signal responsive to the threat level surpassing a threshold associated with the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An integrated circuit to detect environmental threats, comprising:
an interface module including inputs and outputs for coupling to a plurality of types of sensor modules and including a linear voltage regulator, the linear voltage regulator in a first mode capable of outputting minimal electrical power to the sensor modules, the linear voltage regulator in a second mode capable of ramping up electrical power to one of the plurality sensor modules in order to receive a signal from the sensor module that is indicative of a threat level, wherein the interface module switches from the first to the second mode responsive to receiving a wake signal indicative of a threat wherein one output of the interface module is coupled to a communication module, the interface capable of outputting a threat signal to the communication module responsive to the threat level surpassing a threshold associated with the sensor module. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
Specification