Low power distribution system for an unattended ground sensor system
First Claim
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1. A sensor system comprising:
- an external detector that generates an electrical signal in response to a physical stimulus proximate to the sensor system;
an interface that receives the electrical signal from the detector and determines a detector type for the detector;
N sensor system modules that each include respective sensor function modules for processing and communicating signals from at least one external detector;
M slave modules such that one slave module is associated with each of the sensor system modules and selectively control power to said sensor function modules in the associated sensor system module, where M and N are integers greater than one;
a bus; and
a master power control module that serially controls said M slave modules via said bus based on functions of said sensor function modules and regulates power for the N sensor system modules based on the detector type of the detector.
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Abstract
A sensor system includes N sensor system modules that each include respective sensor function modules for processing and communicating signals from at least one external detector. M slave modules selectively control power to the sensor function modules. M and N are integers greater than one. A master power control module serially controls the M slave modules via a bus based on functions of the sensor function modules.
50 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A sensor system comprising:
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an external detector that generates an electrical signal in response to a physical stimulus proximate to the sensor system; an interface that receives the electrical signal from the detector and determines a detector type for the detector; N sensor system modules that each include respective sensor function modules for processing and communicating signals from at least one external detector; M slave modules such that one slave module is associated with each of the sensor system modules and selectively control power to said sensor function modules in the associated sensor system module, where M and N are integers greater than one; a bus; and a master power control module that serially controls said M slave modules via said bus based on functions of said sensor function modules and regulates power for the N sensor system modules based on the detector type of the detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating a sensor system comprising:
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receiving a signal in a first slave module that controls a first set of sensor system operations external to a main control module indicating a detected event has occurred; determining system requirements for processing said signal; signaling said main control module of said system requirements for processing said signal; processing said signal through said first set of sensor system operations; powering down said first set of sensor system operations when said first set of sensor system operations are completed on said signal; and activating a second slave module to further process said signal in a second set of sensor system operations. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A sensor system, comprising:
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a detector that generates an electrical signal in response to a physical stimulus proximate to the sensor system; a signal processor adapted to receive the electrical signal from the detector and operable to generate event messages based on the electrical signal; a transceiver operable to send and receive messages over a wireless radio link; a power source selectively connectable to the detector, the signal processor and the transceiver; and a master control module connected to the power source and operable to selectively control power consumption of two or more slave modules residing in the sensor system, wherein each slave module is in data communication with master control module and operable to selectively control power consumption of at least one other sensor component. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A sensor apparatus, comprising:
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a detector that generates an electrical signal in response to a physical stimulus proximate to the sensor system; a signal processor adapted to receive the electrical signal from the detector and operable to generate event messages based on the electrical signal; a transceiver operable to send and receive messages over a wireless radio link; a slave module associated with each of the detector, the signal processor and the transceiver for selectively controlling power consumption thereof; a master control module in data communication with each of the slave modules and operable to control each of the slave modules, wherein the signal processor, the transceiver, the master control module and the slave modules residing in a housing of the sensor apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification