System for remote powering and communication with a network of addressable, multichannel sensing modules
First Claim
1. A sensor communication system, comprising an interrogator unit, a network of addressable sensing modules (ASMs), and a plurality of sensors, whereina non-contact link between said interrogator unit and said network of ASMs, said non-contact link for powering said network or for communication between said interrogator and said network;
- each ASM of said network of ASMs having a low impedance connection state and a high impedance connection state, wherein data can be transmitted from said ASM only when said ASM is addressed and in said low impedance connection state; and
at least one sensor of said plurality of sensors connected to each of said ASMs.
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Accused Products
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.
263 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A sensor communication system, comprising an interrogator unit, a network of addressable sensing modules (ASMs), and a plurality of sensors, wherein
a non-contact link between said interrogator unit and said network of ASMs, said non-contact link for powering said network or for communication between said interrogator and said network; -
each ASM of said network of ASMs having a low impedance connection state and a high impedance connection state, wherein data can be transmitted from said ASM only when said ASM is addressed and in said low impedance connection state; and
at least one sensor of said plurality of sensors connected to each of said ASMs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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- 32. A sensor communication system, comprising an interrogator unit and a sensing module, a non-contact link between said interrogator unit and said sensing module, wherein said sensing module comprises a sensing input channel, a programmable gain amplifier, and an a/d converter, wherein said programmable gain amplifier is connected between said sensing input and said a/d converter.
Specification