Wireless sensor network with variable priority

1. A system for event monitoring, comprising:

a remote sensor;

a remote transceiver interfaced to the remote sensor; and

a base transceiver that selectively wirelessly communicates with the remote transceiver;

wherein the remote transceiver provides a periodic communication to the base transceiver that is indicative of a nominal operating condition and the periodic communication is acknowledged by the base transceiver;

wherein the remote transceiver operates in a first fail safe mode when the periodic communication acknowledgement is not received by the remote transceiver, the first fail safe mode comprising changing a channel for receiving the acknowledgement and retransmitting the periodic communication at a higher power than the first transmission of the periodic communication;

wherein the remote transceiver selectively provides an event notification communication to the base transceiver that is indicative of the occurrence of a monitored event; and

wherein the remote transceiver delays a predetermined length of time between detecting the event and providing the event to the base transceiver.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second remote transceiver that provides a periodic communication to the base transceiver that is indicative of a nominal operating condition and the periodic communication is acknowledged by the base transceiver;

wherein the second remotes transceiver selectively provides an event notification communication to the base transceiver that is indicative of the occurrence of a second monitored event; and

wherein the second remote transceiver delays a second predetermined length of time between detecting the second event and providing the second event to the base transceiver.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first remote transceiver has a higher priority and a shorter predetermined delay that the second remote transceiver that has a lower priority and a longer predetermined delay.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote transceiver transmits on a high priority channel until detecting interference on the high priority channel and then switches to a second high priority channel for transmitting.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein, upon detecting interference, the base transceiver and the remote transceiver search for a channel with minimal interference across a frequency hopping spread spectrum group of channels.

6. A system for wirelessly monitoring a plurality of parameters, comprising:

a first remote transceiver attached to at least one first sensor for monitoring one of the parameters;

a second remote transceiver attached to at least one second sensor for monitoring another of the parameters; and

a base station transceiver;

wherein the first and second remote transceivers reach periodically report normal operating conditions to the base station transceiver and the periodic report is acknowledged by the base station transceiver;

wherein the remote transceivers operate in a first fail safe mode when the periodic communication acknowledgement is not received by the remote transceiver, the first fail safe mode comprising changing a channel for receiving the acknowledgement and retransmitting the periodic communication at a higher power than the first transmission of the periodic communication;

wherein the first remote transceiver reports abnormal sensor readings with no substantial delay after occurrence; and

wherein the second remote transceiver reports abnormal sensor readings a predetermined length of time after occurrence.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a third remote transceiver that reports abnormal sensor readings a second predetermined length of time after occurrence.

8. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of remote transceivers that monitor one or more parameters;

providing a base station transceiver; and

providing at least two priority levels, each priority level having at least one remote transceiver assigned thereto;

wherein the plurality of remote transceivers each provide a periodic communication to the base station transceiver to report nominal operating condition and the periodic communication is acknowledged by the base station transceiver;

wherein the plurality of remote transceivers each operate in a first fail safe mode when the periodic communication acknowledgement is not received by the remote transceiver, the first fail safe mode comprising changing a channel for receiving the acknowledgement and retransmitting the periodic communication at a higher power than the first transmission of the periodic communication; and

wherein upon detecting an abnormal parameter reading, the plurality of remote transceivers delay a predetermined length of time before attempting to establish communication with the base station transceiver, the delay being shorter for a remote transceiver assigned a higher priority that that or a remote transceiver assigned a lower priority.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising assigning at least one remote transceiver to a highest priority level, the highest priority level having no predetermined substantial delay between detection of an abnormal parameter and attempting to establish communication with the base transceiver.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising changing a communication channel of the remote transceiver and the bases station transceiver whenever a substantial amount of interference is detected on the communication channel.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the changed channel is selected based on a frequency hopping spread spectrum basis.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising monitoring the original communication channel and returning to it when the interference has subsided below a predetermined threshold.