Wireless sensor reader
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wireless sensor reader comprising:
- a transmit circuit configured to generate an excitation pulse to cause a wireless sensor to emit a ring signal;
an antenna configured to transmit said excitation pulse and receive said ring signal;
a phase-locked loop circuit configured to receive said ring signal, said phase-locked loop circuit including a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate a count signal at a frequency related to said ring signal frequency;
wherein said phase-locked loop circuit is capable of being placed in a sample mode to receive said ring signal and adjust the frequency of said count signal based on the frequency of said ring signal; and
further wherein said phase-locked loop circuit is capable of being placed in a hold mode to hold the frequency of said count signal constant for a length of time sufficient to determine the frequency of said count signal.
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Abstract
A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined.
248 Citations
87 Claims
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1. A wireless sensor reader comprising:
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a transmit circuit configured to generate an excitation pulse to cause a wireless sensor to emit a ring signal; an antenna configured to transmit said excitation pulse and receive said ring signal; a phase-locked loop circuit configured to receive said ring signal, said phase-locked loop circuit including a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate a count signal at a frequency related to said ring signal frequency; wherein said phase-locked loop circuit is capable of being placed in a sample mode to receive said ring signal and adjust the frequency of said count signal based on the frequency of said ring signal; and further wherein said phase-locked loop circuit is capable of being placed in a hold mode to hold the frequency of said count signal constant for a length of time sufficient to determine the frequency of said count signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 78)
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13. A method of reading a remote sensor comprising:
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transmitting an excitation pulse to a remote sensor; receiving a ring signal from said remote sensor in response to said excitation pulse; amplifying said ring signal; generating a count signal; adjusting the frequency of said count signal to match the frequency of said ring signal; and holding the frequency of said count signal constant for a length of time to determine the frequency of said count signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of obtaining a measurement from a remote location, the method comprising:
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transmitting an excitation pulse at only a fixed frequency to a wireless sensor; receiving a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse; sampling and holding said received signal; and ascertaining the frequency of said received signal; wherein said wireless sensor is configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 79)
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31. A system for obtaining a measurement from a remote location, said system comprising:
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a wireless sensor configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter; a reader configured to transmit an excitation pulse at only a fixed frequency to said wireless sensor, to receive a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse, and to sample and hold said received signal. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 80, 81)
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45. A system for obtaining a measurement from a remote location, said system comprising:
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a wireless sensor configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter; a handheld, battery-powered reader configured to transmit an excitation pulse at only a fixed frequency to said wireless sensor and to receive a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 82, 83)
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50. A method of obtaining a measurement from a remote location, the method comprising:
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transmitting an excitation pulse to a wireless sensor; receiving a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse; generating a count signal; adjusting the frequency of said count signal to match the frequency of said received signal; holding said frequency of said count signal temporarily constant to ascertain the frequency of said count signal; and ascertaining the frequency of said count signal wherein said wireless sensor is configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 84, 85)
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60. A wireless sensor reader comprising:
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a transmit circuit configured to generate an excitation pulse to cause a wireless sensor to emit a signal having a frequency that is proportionate to at least one sensed parameter; at least one antenna configured to transmit said excitation pulse and receive said emitted signal; a first circuit configured to generate a count signal; and a second circuit configured to adjust the frequency of said count signal to match the frequency of said emitted signal; wherein said reader is configured to hold said count signal temporarily constant to ascertain said frequency of said count signal. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 86, 87)
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Specification