Self-adjusting RF assembly

• US 20060066443A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tagsys SA
• Original Assignee: Tagsys SA
• Inventors: Hall, David Malcolm
• Application Number:
  US11/225,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066443A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.500
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0715 the arrangement including means to regulate power transfer to the integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0056 for use in interrogation, identification or read/write systems record carriers G06K7/00, G06K19/00; for railways B61L3/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0062 in RFID [Radio Frequency Identification] Systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/02 using transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A self adjusting RF assembly including an RF radiator is disclosed. The RF assembly includes at least one component that may be replaced by a user of the RF assembly. The RF assembly includes an identification element associated with the at least one component for representing at least one characteristic of the component. The RF assembly includes a monitoring element for monitoring the identification element at least during power up of the RF assembly. The RF assembly also includes an adjusting element for adjusting radiation from the RF radiator wherein the adjusting element is operably associated with the monitoring element to maintain radiation from the RF radiator below a preset limit. The preset limit is typically determined by local electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations. A method for maintaining radiation from an RF assembly below a preset limit is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A self adjusting RF assembly including an RF radiator, said assembly including:

at least one component that may be replaced by a user of said RF assembly;

an identification element associated with said at least one component for representing at least one characteristic of said component;

a monitoring element for monitoring said identification element at least during power up of said RF assembly; and

an adjusting element for adjusting radiation from said RF radiator wherein said adjusting element is operably associated with said monitoring element to maintain radiation from said RF radiator below a preset limit.

2. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said limit is determined by local electromagnetic compatibility regulations.

3. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said at least one characteristic includes one of a serial number, a model number, and a peak realized gain.

4. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said component includes at least one of an antenna radiator, an antenna multiplexer, a cable assembly and a sub-system assembly.

5. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said component comprises an antenna radiator and said at least one characteristic includes the gain of said antenna radiator.

6. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said identification element includes an impedance and wherein the value of said impedance provides a representation of said at least one characteristic.

7. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said identification element includes an integrated circuit having an embedded electronic code and wherein said code provides a representation of said at least one characteristic.

8. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 1 including a jurisdictional element for obtaining information relating to the geographic locality in which said RF assembly is installed.

9. A self adjusting assembly according to claim 8 wherein said information includes at least one of a factory preset default, information relating to a telephone network, information relating to mains voltage, frequency and/or utility communication, gps data and/or an internet connection.

10. A method for maintaining radiation from an RF assembly including an RF radiator below a preset limit, said method including:

associating an identification element with a component of said assembly that may be replaced by a user, said identification element being adapted to represent at least one characteristic of said component;

monitoring said identification element at least during power up of said RF assembly; and

adjusting said radiation in response to said monitoring such that radiation from said RF radiator is below said preset limit.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said limit is determined by local electromagnetic compatibility regulations.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said at least one characteristic includes one of a serial number, a model number, and a peak realized gain.

13. A method according to claim 10 wherein said component includes at least one of an antenna radiator, an antenna multiplexer, a cable assembly and a sub-system assembly.

14. A method according to claim 10 wherein said component comprises an antenna radiator and said at least one characteristic includes the gain of said antenna radiator.

15. A method according to claim 10 wherein said identification element includes an impedance and wherein the value of said impedance provides a representation of said at least one characteristic.

16. A method according to claim 10 wherein said identification element includes an integrated circuit having an embedded electronic code and wherein said code provides a representation of said at least one characteristic.

17. A method according to claim 10 including obtaining information relating to the geographic locality in which said RF assembly is installed.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said information includes at least one of a factory preset default, information relating to a telephone network, information relating to mains voltage, frequency and/or utility communication, gps data and/or an internet connection.

19. An identification system for a component in an RF assembly including an RF radiator, said identification system including:

an identification element adapted to be associated with said component for representing at least one characteristic of said component; and

a monitoring element for monitoring said identification element at least during power up of said RF assembly, wherein said monitoring element is adapted to provide said at least one characteristic to an adjusting element in said RF assembly to maintain radiation from said RF radiator below a preset limit.

20. A method for identifying a component in an RF assembly including an RF radiator, said method including:

associating an identification element with said component for representing at least one characteristic of said component; and

monitoring said identification element at least during power up of said RF assembly to provide said at least one characteristic to an adjusting element in said RF assembly adapted to maintain radiation from said RF radiator below a preset limit.