Duplex bi-directional multi-mode remote instrument reading and telemetry system
DCFirst Claim
1. A data collection system, comprising an interrogation apparatus and at least one instrument link, interconnected to a data gathering device located remote from said interrogation apparatus, said interrogation apparatus further including:
- an interrogation transmitter means for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal at a predetermined frequency to said at least one instrument link;
an interrogation receiver means for receiving an informational message from said instrument link, said interrogation receiver means being tunable to any of a number of center frequencies which lie in a prespecified bandpass;
frequency determining means, using said interrogation receiver means, for determining what center frequency, in the prespecified bandpass that an informational message from said instrument link should be transmitted on;
interrogation signal determining means, responsive to said frequency determining means, for determining content of an interrogation message, said message to be transmitted by said interrogation transmitter means, wherein the interrogation message provides at least the center frequency for transmitting the informational message;
tuning means for tuning said interrogation receiver means to the center frequency determined by said frequency determining means so that informational messages from said instrument link can be received; and
informational message signal processing means, responsive to said interrogation receiver, for both processing the informational message received and providing an output representative of transmitted information; and
wherein each said instrument link further includes;
an instrument link receiver tuned to the predetermined frequency of the interrogation transmitter, said instrument link receiver providing an output representative of a transmitted interrogation message;
interrogation signal processing means, responsive to said instrument link receiver, for processing the receiver output to determine at least what information is to be transmitted by each said instrument link and at what center frequency to transmit the informational message;
instrument link transmission means for transmitting the informational message at the center frequency determined by said interrogation signal processing means, where said instrument link transmission means is tunable to any of the center frequencies that lie in the prespecified bandpass; and
informational message generating means, responsive to said interrogation signal processing means, for generating the informational message for transmission by said instrument link transmission means, wherein the informational message generated provides the information requested in the interrogation message.
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Abstract
The remote instrument reading and telemetry system of the present invention includes at least one instrument link interconnected to a data gathering device and a remote station interrogation apparatus. The interrogation apparatus and instrument link both include radio transmitters and receivers so information and instructions can be communicated between them. In the interrogation mode, the interrogation apparatus instructs the instrument link to transmit information (e.g., data from the data gathering device) in a specified manner, within certain time frames, and in a specific frequency channel. Before requesting the transmission of information, the interrogation apparatus determines which of the available reply radio channels is the best for transmission of information and instructs the instrument link to use this reply channel. In a preferred embodiment, the instrument link transmits information using spread spectrum modulation techniques, and the interrogation apparatus determines the spread spectrum parameters that optimize processing gain and the data transmission rate. The instrument link is also controlled so that parts of the instrument link (e.g., the transmitter'"'"'s amplifier) are only powered up during specific periods of instrument link activity to conserve power.
595 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A data collection system, comprising an interrogation apparatus and at least one instrument link, interconnected to a data gathering device located remote from said interrogation apparatus, said interrogation apparatus further including:
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an interrogation transmitter means for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal at a predetermined frequency to said at least one instrument link; an interrogation receiver means for receiving an informational message from said instrument link, said interrogation receiver means being tunable to any of a number of center frequencies which lie in a prespecified bandpass; frequency determining means, using said interrogation receiver means, for determining what center frequency, in the prespecified bandpass that an informational message from said instrument link should be transmitted on; interrogation signal determining means, responsive to said frequency determining means, for determining content of an interrogation message, said message to be transmitted by said interrogation transmitter means, wherein the interrogation message provides at least the center frequency for transmitting the informational message; tuning means for tuning said interrogation receiver means to the center frequency determined by said frequency determining means so that informational messages from said instrument link can be received; and informational message signal processing means, responsive to said interrogation receiver, for both processing the informational message received and providing an output representative of transmitted information; and wherein each said instrument link further includes; an instrument link receiver tuned to the predetermined frequency of the interrogation transmitter, said instrument link receiver providing an output representative of a transmitted interrogation message; interrogation signal processing means, responsive to said instrument link receiver, for processing the receiver output to determine at least what information is to be transmitted by each said instrument link and at what center frequency to transmit the informational message; instrument link transmission means for transmitting the informational message at the center frequency determined by said interrogation signal processing means, where said instrument link transmission means is tunable to any of the center frequencies that lie in the prespecified bandpass; and informational message generating means, responsive to said interrogation signal processing means, for generating the informational message for transmission by said instrument link transmission means, wherein the informational message generated provides the information requested in the interrogation message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An instrument link, being interconnected to a data gathering device, the instrument link communicating with a remotely located interrogation apparatus, the instrument link comprising:
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an instrument link receiver tuned to a predetermined transmitting frequency for an interrogation transmitter, said instrument link receiver providing an output representative of a transmitted interrogation message, where the transmitted interrogation message provides at least a center frequency for transmitting an informational message; interrogation signal processing means, responsive to said instrument link receiver, for processing the receiver output to determine at least what information is to be transmitted by the instrument link and at what center frequency to transmit an informational message; instrument link transmission means for transmitting the informational message at the center frequency determined by said interrogation signal processing means, where said instrument link transmission means is tunable to any of a number of center frequencies that lie in a prespecified bandpass; and informational message generating means for generating an informational message for transmission by said instrument link transmission means, wherein the informational message generated provides the information requested in the interrogation message. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification