Microwireless integrated environmental sensor and transmitter system

• US 7,386,289 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Weller, Thomas, Fries, David, Ketterl, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Pablo N.
• Application Number:
  US10/906,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20060172714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 455/123, 455/525.1, 455/557, 455/558, 455333-334, 455/556.1, 455/414.1, 455/90.3, 455/550.1, 455/91, 455/130, 455/120.1, 455/226.1, 455/228, 455/232.1, 455/233.1, 455/254, 455/256, 455267-268, 455/224, 455280-281, 455344-345, 455354-355, 340/820.07, 340/539.22, 340/572.1, 340/539.26, 340/688, 340/632, 340540-541, 287/678, 287/924, 361/820
• US Class Current: 455/254
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

The invention is a microminiature wireless environmental sensor that has integrated both sensor and transmitter functions into one function. The basic operating principle for the device is that variable components of an RF circuit can be interfaced to the outside world environmental signals resulting in proportional changes in the transmission characteristics or transmission of data/bits from the RF transmitter circuit. This utilization of environmentally sensitive variable elements within a wireless transceiver circuit permits the fusion of both sensor and communications function into an integrated single function.

Claims

1. A wireless environmental sensor system, comprising:

a radio frequency circuit having at least one circuit element;

an environmental sensor element electromagnetically coupled to the at least one circuit element of the radio frequency circuit, whereby the electromagnetic coupling between the environmental sensor element and the at least one circuit element is modified through a response by the environmental sensor element to the sensed environment to provide a radio frequency output signal responsive to the sensed environment; and

an output port integral to said radio frequency circuit for wireless communication of the radio frequency output signal.

2. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 1, wherein said sensor element is adapted for sensing at least one physical parameter.

3. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 1, wherein said sensor element further comprises a mechanical means interactively coupled to the surrounding environment.

4. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 3, wherein said mechanical means is adapted for tuning said radio frequency circuit.

5. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 4, wherein said mechanical means is electromagnetically coupled to at least one element of said radio frequency circuit, whereby environmental interactions with said mechanical means results in variations in the electrical properties of at least one of the electrical components of said radio frequency circuit for tuning of the frequency of said radio frequency circuit.

6. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 1, wherein said sensor element is a biochemical sensor.

7. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 6, wherein said sensor element is adapted for sensing at least one biochemical parameter.

8. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 7, wherein said sensor element further comprises a mechanical means interactively coupled to the surrounding environment.

9. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 8, wherein said mechanical means is adapted for tuning said radio frequency circuit.

10. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 9, wherein said mechanical means is electromagnetically coupled to at least one element of said radio frequency circuit, whereby biochemical interactions with said mechanical means results in variations in the electrical properties of at least one of the electrical components of said radio frequency circuit for tuning of the frequency of said radio frequency circuit.

11. A wireless environmental sensor system, comprising:

a radio frequency circuit comprising at least one coiled metal trace;

a mechanical environmental sensor element electromagnetically coupled to the at least one coiled metal trace of the radio frequency circuit, whereby the electromagnetic coupling between the environmental sensor element and the at least one coiled metal trace is modified by a mechanical response of the environmental sensor element to the sensed environment to provide a radio frequency output signal responsive to the sensed environment; and

an output port integral to said radio frequency circuit for wireless communication the radio frequency output signal.

12. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 11, wherein said mechanical means is interactive with the surrounding environment.

13. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 11, wherein a dielectric means is fabricated substantially above said metal trace, wherein said dielectric means is in direct contact with at least a portion of said metal trace.

14. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 13, wherein mechanical means is located substantially above said dielectric means, said mechanical means electromagnetically coupled with at least a portion of said metal trace, thereby creating an electromagnetic field path within said dielectric means.

15. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 11, wherein said electromagnetic field substantially modifies at least one electrical property of said metal trace.

16. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 11, wherein said output signal is substantially dependent on the electrical properties of said metal trace, whereby said output signal varies in relation to variation in the electrical properties of said metal trace.

17. A wireless environmental sensor, comprising:

a sensor element comprising a mechanical means interactive with the surrounding environment, said mechanical means operable as means for toning a radio frequency circuit;

a substantially coiled metal trace electromagnetically coupled to said sensor element;

a dielectric means integrally formed substantially above said metal trace, whereby at least a portion of said dielectric means is in direct contact with at least a portion of said metal trace for maintenance of an electric field therethrough.

18. The wireless environmental sensor of claim 17, wherein said mechanical means is located substantially above said dielectric means, said mechanical means electromagnetically coupled with at least a portion of said metal trace, thereby creating an electromagnetic field path within said dielectric means.

19. The wireless environmental sensor system of claim 18, wherein said electromagnetic field substantially modifies at least one electrical property of said metal trace.

20. The wireless environmental sensor of claim 18, further comprising an output port means for communicating data sensed by said sensor element.

21. The wireless environmental sensor of claim 20, further comprising an output signal for wirelessly communicating data from said output port.

22. The wireless environmental sensor of claim 18, wherein said sensor element is adapted for sensing at least one environmental parameter.

23. The wireless environmental sensor of claim 18, wherein said sensor element is adapted for sensing at least one biochemical parameter.