Wireless sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system

• US 8,284,629 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THONG QUOC
• Application Number:
  US13/037,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20110237203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 365/226, 365/189.17, 365/229, 365/233.1, 365/233.15
• US Class Current: 365/226
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:

a first wireless device that interfaces with a satellite modem at said asset location for delivery of sensor data to a remote location; and

a second wireless device that is coupled to a sensor, said second wireless device being configured to awaken from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said second wireless device responding to said status request with measurement data generated by said sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slave device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device wirelessly transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.

6. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:

a locating device that is coupled to a satellite modem, said locating device generating information that is used to identify a location of an asset; and

a first wireless device at said asset location for delivery of sensor data to a remote location via said satellite modem, said first wireless device being configured to communicate wirelessly with a second wireless device that is awakened from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said first wireless device receiving, in response to said status request, measurement data generated by a sensor that is coupled to said second wireless device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said locating device generates location information that is used, at a location remote from said asset location, to calculate a location of the asset.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said first wireless device is integrated in hardware with said satellite modem.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said first wireless device is on separate hardware from said satellite modem, and communicates with said satellite modem using a hardwired interface.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slaved device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein said first wireless device transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.

14. A wireless sensor monitoring method at an asset location, said asset location including a first wireless device that interfaces with a satellite modem at said asset location for delivery of sensor data to a remote location, comprising:

awakening a second wireless device from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said second wireless device being coupled to a sensor; and

transmitting a response to said status request to said first wireless device, said status request including measurement data generated by said sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting on an assigned communication channel.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting an acknowledgment to said first wireless device from said second wireless device.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving an assignment of a communication channel and wakeup time.