Sensors with modular architecture
First Claim
1. A sensing system comprising:
- a power plane that includes a power source and a communications module, the power plane further comprising;
semiconductor device that includes a plurality of photodiodes and a laser; and
an optical input configured to connect with an optical fiber, wherein light received over the optical fiber generates a current in the plurality of photodiodes that perform at least one of;
power the processor and memory in the processing plane;
recharge the battery; and
power the one or more sensors;
a processing plane including a processor and memory;
a sensing plane that includes one or more sensors, the sensing plane in electrical communication with at least one of the processing plane and the power plane; and
wherein each of the power plane, processing plane, and sensing plane has at least one surface configured to bond with a corresponding surface on one of the other planes to enable interplane communication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular sensing system architecture. A sensing system includes multiple planes that are in electrical communication. A power plane provides a power source and a communications module that can be optical and/or electrical in nature. The power source can be upgraded using optical power delivered over an optical fiber. The sensing system can also both transmit/receive data over the optical fiber. A processing plane provides memory and processing power. The processing plane can be updated/upgraded via the communications module or the optical fiber. A sensor plane includes multiple sensors. The architecture enables sensor planes to be interchangeable while still having communication with other planes of the sensor. The processing plane can be updated to accommodate different sensor configurations.
21 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensing system comprising:
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a power plane that includes a power source and a communications module, the power plane further comprising; semiconductor device that includes a plurality of photodiodes and a laser; and an optical input configured to connect with an optical fiber, wherein light received over the optical fiber generates a current in the plurality of photodiodes that perform at least one of; power the processor and memory in the processing plane; recharge the battery; and power the one or more sensors; a processing plane including a processor and memory; a sensing plane that includes one or more sensors, the sensing plane in electrical communication with at least one of the processing plane and the power plane; and wherein each of the power plane, processing plane, and sensing plane has at least one surface configured to bond with a corresponding surface on one of the other planes to enable interplane communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A modular sensing system comprising:
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a plurality of planes, each plane comprising one or more cavities formed to accommodate components of the sensor such that each plane retains a shape that permits the plurality of planes to be stacked together in a manner that enables interplane communication between the components of the sensor, the interplane communication including electrical communication; a power source disposed in a first cavity of a first plane and a communication module disposed in a second cavity of the first plane, wherein the communication module generates a current in response to an optical signal that can recharge the power source; one or more sensors disposed in corresponding cavities formed in a second plane; and a processor module disposed in a cavity on a third plane, wherein the processor module receives data collected by the one or more sensors and the collected data is transmitted to a remote location using the communication module, wherein the plurality of planes have a volume that is less than 1 cm3. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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17. A modular sensing system comprising:
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a plurality of planes, each plane comprising one or more cavities formed to accommodate components of the sensor such that each plane retains a shape that permits the plurality of planes to be stacked together in a manner that enables interplane communication between the components of the sensor, the interplane communication including electrical communication; a power source disposed in a first cavity of a first plane and a communication module disposed in a second cavity of the first plane, wherein the communication module generates a current in response to an optical signal that can recharge the power source; one or more sensors disposed in corresponding cavities formed in a second plane; and a processor module disposed in a cavity on a third plane, wherein the processor module receives data collected by the one or more sensors and the collected data is transmitted to a remote location using the communication module, wherein each of the plurality of planes is formed from a ceramic material.
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Specification