Signal transmission system for a measurement device
First Claim
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1. A measurement apparatus comprising:
- a measurement probe comprising a first station, anda coordinate positioning apparatus comprising a second station,wherein the first station and the second station communicate with one another using a spread spectrum radio link,the first station is operable in a normal mode for transmitting information relating to measurement events and in a power saving mode in which the first station periodically transmits a request signal to the second station for asking the second station if the first station should change to the normal mode,when the first station is operating in the power saving mode, and when the second station requires the first station to operate in the normal mode so that the first station can transmit information to the second station relating to measurement events, the second station responds to the request signal received from the first station by transmitting an instructing signal to the first station that instructs the first station to enter the normal mode,the first station continues to operate in the power saving mode, transmitting the request signal periodically, until it receives the instructing signal from the second station, in response to which the first station changes mode from the power saving mode to the normal mode,the first station periodically transmits a regular signal when operating in the normal mode,transmission of the request signals in the power saving mode and transmission of the regular signals in the normal mode allow the second station to maintain synchronisation with the first station, anda rate of transmission of the request signals in the power saving mode is slower than a rate of transmission of the regular signals in the normal mode.
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Abstract
A transmission system for a measurement device on a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a station mounted on the measuring device and another station mounted on the coordinate positioning apparatus, wherein the station and the another station communicate with each other using a spread spectrum radio link, for example, frequency hopping. The station on the probe sends a regular signal and on receiving the signal the another station on the coordinate positioning apparatus synchronizes its clock and sends an acknowledgement signal. Measurement data is either sent in the regular signal or in a measurement event driven signal.
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A measurement apparatus comprising:
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a measurement probe comprising a first station, and a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising a second station, wherein the first station and the second station communicate with one another using a spread spectrum radio link, the first station is operable in a normal mode for transmitting information relating to measurement events and in a power saving mode in which the first station periodically transmits a request signal to the second station for asking the second station if the first station should change to the normal mode, when the first station is operating in the power saving mode, and when the second station requires the first station to operate in the normal mode so that the first station can transmit information to the second station relating to measurement events, the second station responds to the request signal received from the first station by transmitting an instructing signal to the first station that instructs the first station to enter the normal mode, the first station continues to operate in the power saving mode, transmitting the request signal periodically, until it receives the instructing signal from the second station, in response to which the first station changes mode from the power saving mode to the normal mode, the first station periodically transmits a regular signal when operating in the normal mode, transmission of the request signals in the power saving mode and transmission of the regular signals in the normal mode allow the second station to maintain synchronisation with the first station, and a rate of transmission of the request signals in the power saving mode is slower than a rate of transmission of the regular signals in the normal mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 19, 21)
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10. A transmission system for a measurement device for a coordinate positioning apparatus, the transmission system comprising:
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a first station for mounting with one of the measurement device and the coordinate positioning apparatus; and a second station for mounting with the other of the measurement device and the coordinate positioning apparatus; wherein the first station and the second station communicate with one another using a spread spectrum radio link, the first station can be placed in a normal mode or in a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, the first station transmits a plurality of request signals at intervals throughout a duration of the power saving mode, each request signal asking if the first station should change to the normal mode, the first station changes mode to the normal mode in response to receipt at the first station of an affirmative response to one of the request signals from the second station, the spread spectrum radio link is a frequency hopping spread spectrum link, the first station hops between frequency channels, and frequency hopping occurs at a slower rate when in the power saving mode while in rough synchronisation than when in the normal mode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20)
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Specification