SYSTEM FOR REMOTE POWERING AND COMMUNICATION WITH A NETWORK OF ADDRESSABLE MULTICHANNEL SENSING MODULES

• US 20020050925A1
• Filed: 07/11/1998
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lord Corporation (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc. (Spectris PLC)
• Inventors: TOWNSEND, CHRISTOPHER PRUYN, ARMS, STEVEN WILLARD
• Granted Patent: US 6,529,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/505
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/022 having an ideal characteristic, map or correction data stored in a digital memory
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2256 involving digital counting

Abstract

A multidrop network of multichannel, addressable sensing modules (ASM'"'"'s), to be embedded within a composite structure, remotely powered, and interrogated by a personal computer through a non-contacting inductive link. Each ASM contains a microprocessor with non-volatile memory, multiplexer, programmable gain and filter instrumentation amplifier, and sigma delta analog to digital converter (all housed in two thin surface mount packages). An embedded mothernode includes circuitry for power and data reception (into the structure), and data transmission (back out of the structure).

The external interrogation system communicates into the network of ASM'"'"'s by modulating the AC waveform that delivers power to the embedded electronics. Once addressed, each ASM powers up its programmable (gain & filter) sensing channels (3 full differential or 5 pseudo differential) and data conversion elements. Sensed data are pulse code modulated, including error checking, which serially modulate an RF carrier for wireless transmission out of the composite to the interrogating computer. These advanced, micro-miniature sensing networks may be applied to a wide variety of military, medical, & civil structures.

Claims

1. ) A sensor communication network, that can be remotely interrogated and programmed without requiring physical connection to sensors, that comprises:

a remote AC power supply that inductively couples energy to the network.

said remote power supply is frequency shift keyed (FSK) to communicate digital data from the power supply to the network.

said network has rectification means to convert AC power to DC power.

said network has a radio frequency transmitter to remotely communicate digital data from the network.

said network has one or more nodes for collection of data from one or more sensors.

said nodes comprise;

a means of analog to digital conversion, a microprocessor, and a network interface.

2. ) A sensor communication network, as in claim 1, with nodes that are capable of performing a fast fourier transform of the sensor data.

3. ) A sensor communication network, as in claim 1, that includes nonvolatile memory for storage of sensor calibration parameters and other data on the remote network.

4. ) A sensor communication network, as in claim 1, that includes nodes capable of measuring physical input from inductive and capacitive sensors.

5. ) A sensor communication network, as in claim 1, that includes the capability to monitor and store the presence of an alarm condition on the network.

6. ) A sensor communication network, as in claim 1, that includes the capability to multiplex power to individual sensors located on the network.

7. ) A sensor communication network, as in claim 1, that includes the capability to perform auto calibration of the signal conditioning electronics.

8. ) A sensor microprocessor based sensor telemetry system for implantable medical applications that comprises:

a remote AC power supply that inductively couples energy to the implanted system.

said implanted system has receiving coil to receive coupled energy from remote AC power supply.

said implanted system has rectification means to convert coupled AC power to DC power.

said implanted system has a radio frequency transmitter to remotely communicate digital data from the implant.

said implanted system has means for collection of data from one or more sensors.

said implanted system has a microprocessor.

said implanted system has analog to digital converter to read data from sensors.

9. ) A sensor microprocessor based sensor telemetry system for implantable medical applications, as in claim 8, that includes the generation of error checking information by the microprocessor.

10. ) A sensor microprocessor based sensor telemetry system for implantable medical applications, as in claim 8, where said remote power supply is frequency shift keyed (FSK) to communicate digital data from the power supply to the implanted system.