Universal wireless transceiver

• US 8,085,143 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omega Engineering Incorporated (Spectris PLC)
• Original Assignee: Omega Engineering Incorporated (Spectris PLC)
• Inventors: Hollander, Milton B., Macchiarelli, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/470,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20090315725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 340/514
• US Class Current: 340/514
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/10 using a centralized architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A wireless transceiver includes a microprocessor for processing signals and communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor. The communication circuitry includes input/output circuitry for receiving signals from a plurality of wireless devices over a wireless communication path, for providing the signals to the microprocessor, and for transmitting processed signals from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices. The input/output circuitry of the transceiver includes a non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to a test and measurement device. The test and measurement device receives the processed signals from the microprocessor, processes the received signal and data and/or information encoded therein, and performs a predetermined response thereto.

Claims

1. A wireless transceiver, comprising:

a microprocessor for processing signals;

communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor, the communication circuitry including input/output circuitry for receiving the signals from a plurality of wireless devices over a wireless communication path, providing the signals to the microprocessor and for transmitting processed signals from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices;

wherein the input/output circuitry includes a non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to a test and measurement device, and wherein the test and measurement device receives the processed signals from the microprocessor.

2. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the input/output circuitry includes a transceiver.

3. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless devices include at least one device having a sensor for sensing a process variable and a transmitter for transmitting the process variable as data and/or information within signals to the wireless transceiver over the wireless communication path.

4. The wireless transceiver of claim 3, wherein the process variable includes at least one of temperature, voltage, humidity, pressure, strain, resistance, motion, light, current, velocity and flow.

5. The wireless transceiver of claim 3, wherein the test and measurement device processes the received signal and data and/or information encoded therein and performs a predetermined response thereto.

6. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the input/output circuitry include digital and/or analog input/output circuitry.

7. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the processed signals transmitted from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices include data, information, and command and control signals.

8. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the processor controls communication from the plurality of wireless devices by individually recognizing each of the plurality of wireless devices and assigning different communication channels within the wireless communication path.

9. The wireless transceiver of claim 8, wherein the different communication channels include different frequencies, time slots, chipping codes, and other differentiating communication characteristics.

10. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, further comprising power regulator circuitry for providing power to the wireless transceiver.

11. The wireless transceiver of claim 10, wherein the power regulator circuitry receives the power for the wireless transceiver from the test and measurement device.

12. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the test and measurement device is comprised of a hardwired cable connection.

13. The wireless transceiver of claim 1, wherein the wired connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the test and measurement device is comprised of male connector pins.

14. A system for controlling a process, comprising:

a plurality of sensors for sensing at least one process variable at predetermined points of the process;

a plurality of wireless transmitters coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of wireless transmitters receiving signals including the sensed process variable from the corresponding one of the sensors and transmitting the signals over a wireless communication path;

a wireless communication transceiver receiving the transmitted signals from the wireless communication path, the wireless communication transceiver including;

a microprocessor for processing the received signals; and

communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor, the communication circuitry having input/output circuitry for receiving the signals, providing the signals to the microprocessor and for transmitting processed signals from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices; and

at least one test and measurement device coupled to the wireless communication transceiver by a non-wireless connection, the test and measurement device receiving the processed signals from the microprocessor over the non-wireless connection, evaluating the process variable and controlling a predetermined response thereto.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the process variable includes at least one of temperature, voltage, humidity, pressure, strain, resistance, motion, light, current, velocity and flow.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the test and measurement device is comprised of a device that is initially coupled to one of the sensors via a hard wired communication path.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the at least one test and measurement device is comprised of a hardwired cable connection.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the at least one test and measurement device is comprised of male connector pins.