Wireless Transmission Through Faraday Cage Enclosure

• US 20160020812A1
• Filed: 04/24/2015
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Original Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Inventors: Mian, Zahid F., McKenney, Bruce, Spoor, Ryk E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,825,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 Electromagnetic shields
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers

Abstract

A solution for communicating between devices located within and outside of an effective Faraday cage volume is provided. An enclosure structure forming the effective Faraday cage volume can be used as an antenna for a transceiver of a wireless device located within the Faraday cage volume. An antenna connector of a transceiver of the wireless device can be physically connected to the conductive material of the enclosure structure using any solution. The enclosure structure can transmit wireless signals generated by the wireless device external of the enclosure structure and/or transmit external wireless signals to the transceiver of the wireless device for processing by the device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an enclosure structure forming an enclosed volume, wherein the enclosed volume is an effective Faraday cage volume;

a wireless device located within the enclosed volume; and

means for using the enclosure structure as an antenna for a transceiver of the wireless device, wherein the means enables signals generated by the wireless device to be transmitted external of the enclosure structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure structure is formed of solid metal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure structure is a component of a propellant actuated device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device acquires data regarding conditions within the enclosed volume.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device includes a wireless transceiver for use by an individual present in the enclosed volume.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computer system located external from the enclosed volume, wherein the computer system is in wireless communication with the wireless device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure structure comprises a Faraday cage formed of a conductive mesh.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device includes means for tuning the transceiver to the enclosure structure.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ejection seat, wherein the enclosure structure is component of a propellant actuated device located with the ejection seat.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second enclosure structure forming a second effective Faraday cage volume, wherein the enclosure structure is located within the second enclosure structure; and

a second wireless device located external of the enclosure structure, wherein the second wireless device is in communication with the wireless device while both the enclosure structures remain fully enclosed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second wireless device is located external from the second effective Faraday cage volume, the system further comprising means for using the second enclosure structure as an antenna for a transceiver of the second wireless device, wherein the means enables signals generated by the second wireless device to be transmitted internal to the second enclosure structure.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a computer system located external of the second enclosure structure, wherein the computer system is in communication with the second wireless device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second wireless device communicates data regarding the effective Faraday cage volume for processing by the computer system.

14. An ejection seat comprising:

a propellant actuated device including a first enclosure structure forming a first enclosed volume, wherein the first enclosed volume is an effective Faraday cage volume;

a first wireless device located within the first enclosed volume;

means for using the first enclosure structure as an antenna for a transceiver of the first wireless device, wherein the means enables signals generated by the first wireless device to be transmitted external of the first enclosure structure;

a second enclosure structure forming a second effective Faraday cage volume, wherein the first enclosure structure is located within the second enclosure structure; and

a second wireless device located external of the first enclosure structure, wherein the second wireless device is in communication with the first wireless device while both the enclosure structures remain fully enclosed.

15. The ejection seat of claim 14, wherein the first wireless device acquires data regarding conditions within the first enclosed volume and transmits data regarding an operating condition of the propellant actuated device.

16. The ejection seat of claim 14, wherein the second wireless device is located external from the second effective Faraday cage volume, the ejection seat further comprising means for using the second enclosure structure as an antenna for a transceiver of the second wireless device, wherein the means enables signals generated by the second wireless device to be transmitted internal to the second enclosure structure.

17. The ejection seat of claim 14, further comprising a computer system located external of the second enclosure structure, wherein the computer system is in communication with the second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless device communicates data regarding the first enclosed volume for processing by the computer system.

18. A method of managing an effective Faraday cage volume comprising:

receiving data regarding a condition within the effective Faraday cage volume at a wireless device located within the effective Faraday cage volume;

transmitting data regarding the condition for processing by a first computer system located external of the effective Faraday cage volume, wherein the transmitting uses an enclosure structure forming the effective Faraday cage volume as an antenna for the wireless device; and

receiving the transmitted data at the first computer system using a wireless communications solution.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising initiating at least one action in response to processing the data transmitted by the wireless device located within the effective Faraday cage volume.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising relaying the transmitted data for processing by a second computer system distinct from the first computer system.