Patent Application
20090009318
Many applications require the collection of data from multiple sources spread out over a large geographical area. For example, in some applications, field monitoring equipment spread out over several square yards or even miles regularly logs data that needs to be harvested and processed. Collecting data over such large geographical areas presents numerous logistical challenges.
For a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct electrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct electrical connection, or through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and connections. The term “connection” refers to any path via which a signal may pass. For example, the term “connection” includes, without limitation, wires, traces and other types of electrical conductors, optical devices, etc.
The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be illustrative of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
Mesh technology comprises a decentralized network formed between individual wireless transceivers (or “nodes”). This type of decentralized network infrastructure is inexpensive, reliable and resilient. Each node may function as a repeater, receiving and transmitting data from one node to another. Mesh networks are considerably reliable because each node can connect to several different nodes, and if one node drops out of the network (thereby damaging a particular data route), another data route (comprising a different combination of nodes) may be used in lieu of the damaged route. Each node is programmed to process received data in a specific way: the node may pass the data to another node, or the node may retain the received data. A node that is programmed to retain data is defined as a “destination” or “concentrator” node and often provides gateway services to other data sources or data sinks (a data sink may be defined as a device that receives information data, control commands or other signals from a source (e.g., a connection to the Internet, SCADA systems, control computer, etc.)).
The mesh network disclosed herein is able to transmit and receive commands and/or data (e.g., empirical data) to and from entities external to the network. Transceivers used in the mesh network for such communications include wireless mesh ultra-low power (ULP) transceivers. The ULP transceiver preferably operates in the license-free industrial-scientific-medical (ISM) 433, 868, and 915 MHz frequency bands, and uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK), Automatic Frequency Control (AFC), data interleaving and broadcast channel (BCH) Forward Error Correction techniques to provide optimal performance over the operating lifetime. The transceiver protocol stack has point-to-point, point-to-multipoint (broadcast polling) and repeater modes, tree, star and mesh network topologies, self-configuration and dynamic routing algorithm optimized for ULP networks, relaxed synchronization message passing and a programmable standby-receive duty cycle (˜10 milliseconds to ˜10 seconds range). Each mesh transceiver comprises an identifier unique to the network, similar to a media access control (MAC) address. A data packet from a node preferably contains the node ID. Commands and data also may be directed to a particular node by specifying the node ID as the destination.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, one or more nodes in the mesh network collects data and transfers the collected data to other nodes and/or to a concentrator node. The concentrator node (sometimes referred to as a “gateway” node) may be located on the earth or above the earth. For example, the concentrator/gateway node may be located within an aircraft (e.g., an airplane, blimp, helicopter, hot air balloon), a satellite (e.g., geostationary, low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite), or on a transmission tower, electric utility pole, or any other suitable location for collecting data from the nodes en masse. In some embodiments, multiple concentrator nodes may be used.
As described above, each mesh analog module collects data from an associated instrument. In some embodiments, each mesh analog module calculates values for a wide range of voltage inputs. Inputs may range from 0.0001 Volts to 1000 Volts of direct current (DC), rectified DC, or alternating current (AC) in harsh environments.
One or more of the nodes described above may be powered with primary batteries, a solar panel/rechargeable battery system, or a permanent A/C or D/C power source. When powered with permanent power source, backup primary batteries are available in the event of a power outage. When operating off solar or a permanent power source, the node maintains a persistent Internet connection. The persistent connection allows a user to quickly retrieve data and to send commands or data to individual nodes via the node. If a node is using primary or backup batteries, the node enters a power saving state. In this state, the node may connect to the Internet and transmits data to and receives data from a data center on a preprogrammed schedule. A node can include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to provide precise latitude and longitude coordinates at the time data is transmitted and accurate updates to the system's real time clock.
In some embodiments, the mesh networks may include computer software that protects equipment during periods of high lightning activity and in areas likely to cause electrical surges. A remote server monitors real-time lightning strike data to determine a lightning threat assessment. The threat assessment takes into account the time, intensity and location of a lightning strike with respect to the location of equipment connected to the mesh network. If the threat assessment is high, the remote server sends a threat command to the appropriate mesh gateway/concentrator associated with some or all of the equipment at risk to disconnect from any surge path (e.g., a pipeline). In turn, the mesh gateway broadcasts a command to a disconnect switch on the equipment through a mesh node. The disconnect switch is a high current, high isolation type of switch that may be in the form of a relay or other type of electromechanical switch. When the threat assessment has returned to a non-threatening level, a command is broadcast to reconnect the equipment as it was connected prior to the threat command.
The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/868,980, filed Dec. 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60868980 | Dec 2006 | US |
