Wireless sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system
View Patent ↗A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.
1. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:
a satellite modem;
a first wireless device that interfaces with said satellite modem for delivery of sensor data to a remote location; and
a second wireless device that is coupled to a sensor, said second wireless device being configured to receive data from said sensor, said first wireless device including a controller that controls entry of said second wireless device into a low power state and waking of said second wireless device at a scheduled time at which said first wireless device also wakes from a low power state.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slaved device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first wireless device transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first wireless device transmits a status request to said second wireless device.
7. A wireless sensor interface device at an asset location, comprising:
a satellite modem;
a first wireless device that interfaces with said satellite modem for delivery of sensor data to a remote location, said first wireless device being configured to communicate with a second wireless device to receive data from a sensor that is coupled to said second wireless device, wherein said communication occurs at a scheduled time at which said first wireless device and said second wireless device both wake from a low power state.
8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a locating device that is coupled to said satellite modem, said locating device generating information that is used to identify a location of the asset.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein said locating device generates location information that is used, at a remote location, to calculate a location of the asset.
10. The device of claim 7 , wherein said first wireless device is integrated in hardware with said satellite modem.
11. The device of claim 7 , wherein said first wireless device is on separate hardware from said satellite modem, and communicates with said satellite modem using a hardwired interface.
12. The device of claim 7 , wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slaved device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.
14. The device of claim 7 , wherein said first wireless device transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.
16. The device of claim 7 , wherein said first wireless device transmits a status request to said second wireless device.
17. A wireless sensor monitoring method, comprising:
detecting a sensor event by a first wireless device coupled to a sensor;
determining, by said first wireless device, a scheduled time during which a second wireless device is expected to be awake;
entering, by said first wireless device, a low power state;
at said scheduled time, waking said first wireless device and wirelessly transmitting a report of said detected sensor event to said second wireless device; and
sending, by said second wireless device, information regarding said detected sensor event to a remote location via a satellite modem coupled to said second wireless device.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving, by said first wireless device, a message from said second wireless device prior to said wirelessly transmitting.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein said wirelessly transmitting is on an assigned communication channel.
20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving, by said first wireless device an acknowledgment from said second wireless device.