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 device, comprising:
an interface with a sensor device configured to generate measurement data; and
a processor that is configured to awaken the wireless device from a low power state to receive a status request from an inquiring device that interfaces with a with a wireless modem in a mobile terminal affixed to an asset, said wireless device responding to said status request with measurement data generated by said sensor device.
2. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said wireless modem is a satellite modem.
3. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said inquiring device is configured as a master device and the wireless device is configured as a slave device.
4. The wireless device of claim 3 , wherein said slave device only transmits in acknowledgment of a request from said master device.
5. The wireless device of claim 3 , wherein said inquiring device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to the wireless device after the wireless device completes a synchronization process.
6. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said inquiring device wirelessly transmits configuration information to the wireless device.
7. The wireless device system of claim 6 , wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said inquiring device via said wireless modem.
8. The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein said configuration information includes an operating mode of said sensor device.
9. The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein said configuration information includes a baud rate of said sensor device.
10. The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein said configuration information includes a power level of said sensor device.
11. The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein said configuration information includes a wake up interval of said sensor device.
12. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless device is integrated with said sensor device.
13. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless device is coupled to said sensor device via a serial interface.
14. A wireless device, comprising:
an interface with a wireless modem module in a mobile terminal affixed to an asset; and
a processor that is configured to control the wireless device in communicating wirelessly with a responding device that interfaces with a sensor device, said responding device configured to awaken from a low power state to receive a status request from the wireless device, the wireless device receiving, in response to said status request, measurement data generated by said sensor device.
15. The wireless device of claim 14 , wherein the wireless device is integrated in hardware with said wireless modem module.
16. The wireless device of claim 14 , wherein the wireless device is on separate hardware from said wireless modem module, and communicates with said wireless modem module using a hardwired interface.
17. The wireless device of claim 14 , wherein said wireless modem module is a satellite modem module.
18. The wireless device of claim 14 , wherein the wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said responding device after said responding device completes a synchronization process.