Wireless sensing system

• US 7,710,251 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Talty, Timothy J., MacDonald, Andrew J., Alrabady, Ansaf I., Ames, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu; Shirley
• Application Number:
  US11/468,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 340/447, 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 701/79, 701 38- 39
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0461 externally triggered, e.g. by wireless request signal, magnet or manual switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0464 to avoid signal interference
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2072 with means for preventing jamming or interference of a remote switch control signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• 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: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a forward communication link with an energizer coupled to a transmission cable. The energizer is adapted to provide radio frequency signals intended for the plurality of radio frequency sensors to the transmission cable. The transmission cable is adapted as a leaky waveguide antenna selectively slotted and routed within the predefined area for effective air linking of leaked radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless sensors. The method for wireless sensor interrogation includes providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a transmission cable, routing the transmission cable through the predefined area in proximity to the plurality of radio frequency sensors, selectively slotting the transmission cable in regions proximate the plurality of radio frequency sensors, transmitting radio frequency signals through the transmission cable, and air linking radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors through the slotted regions proximate the plurality of sensors.

Claims

1. Wireless sensing system comprising:

a plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area; and

a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a transmission cable, the energizer providing radio frequency signals intended for the plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors to the transmission cable, the transmission cable comprising a leaky waveguide antenna selectively slotted and routed within the predefined area for effective air linking of leaked radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors, the leaky waveguide antenna comprising an elongated conductor of a wiring harness, the elongated conductor electrically connecting a wiring distribution center and a device other than any of said wireless radio frequency sensors to provide one of electric power and electric ground to said device.

2. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the energizer is electrically coupled to the transmission cable via a physical termination at the wiring distribution center.

3. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the energizer is positioned proximate to the wiring distribution center to near-field air link couple to the transmission cable via the wiring distribution center.

4. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a reverse communication link including a reader receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors.

5. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the reader receives radio frequency signals from the plurality of sensors exclusively via air links.

6. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the reader is coupled to the transmission cable, the reader receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors via the selectively slotted and routed leaky waveguide antenna that is the transmission cable.

7. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the reader is electrically coupled to the transmission cable via a physical termination at the wiring distribution center.

8. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the reader is positioned proximate to the wiring distribution center to near-field air link couple to the transmission cable via the wiring distribution center.

9. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the energizer and reader comprise a transceiver.

10. Method for wireless sensor interrogation, comprising:

providing a plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area;

providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a transmission cable, the transmission cable comprising an elongated conductor of a wiring harness, the elongated conductor electrically connecting a wiring distribution center and a device other than any of said wireless radio frequency sensors to provide one of electric power and electric ground to said device;

routing the transmission cable through the predefined area in proximity to said plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors;

selectively slotting the transmission cable in regions proximate said plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors;

transmitting radio frequency signals through the transmission cable; and

air linking radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors through the slotted regions proximate the plurality of sensors.

11. Method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle, comprising:

providing a plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors distributed within the vehicle;

providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a leaky waveguide antenna, the leaky waveguide antenna comprising an elongated conductor of a wiring harness, the elongated conductor electrically connecting a wiring distribution center and a vehicle device other than any of said wireless radio frequency sensors to provide one of electric power and electric ground to said vehicle device;

routing the leaky waveguide antenna through a predefined area in proximity to said plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors;

positioning the energizer proximate to the wiring distribution center to effect a near field coupling via an air link from the energizer to the wiring distribution center;

transmitting radio frequency signals through the leaky waveguide antenna via the wiring distribution center using the near field coupling via the air link from the energizer to the wiring distribution center; and

air linking radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors through the leaky waveguide antenna proximate the plurality of wireless radio frequency sensors.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a reverse communication link including the leaky waveguide antenna coupled to a radio frequency receiver located proximate to the wiring distribution center to effect a near field coupling via an air link from the receiver to the wiring distribution center.