WO2009031981A1 - Communication control system - Google Patents

Communication control system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009031981A1
WO2009031981A1 PCT/SG2008/000335 SG2008000335W WO2009031981A1 WO 2009031981 A1 WO2009031981 A1 WO 2009031981A1 SG 2008000335 W SG2008000335 W SG 2008000335W WO 2009031981 A1 WO2009031981 A1 WO 2009031981A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transponder
controller
communication
data
signals
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SG2008/000335
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yan Wah Michael Chia
Siew Weng Leong
Kim Loon Chee
Original Assignee
Agency For Science, Technology & Research
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Agency For Science, Technology & Research filed Critical Agency For Science, Technology & Research
Publication of WO2009031981A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009031981A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D21/00—Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to wireless network communication. More particularly, the invention relates to facilitating and controlling communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication.
  • RF transceivers in transponders have complex designs.
  • Conventional implementations for wireless communication employ devices such as battery assisted passive (BAP) transponders or standard commercial 'single solution package' chips.
  • BAP battery assisted passive
  • the devices deployed in conventional methods are complex.
  • BAP transponders require supply of power. Typically, power is supplied from a battery to a BAP transponder. An interface is also required for inter-coupling the BAP transponders and peripheral devices.
  • FIG. 1 An example of a typical commercial 'single solution package' chip 100 comprising a RF transceiver 110 is shown in Fig. 1.
  • a typical commercial 'single solution package' chip 100 comprising a RF transceiver 110 is shown in Fig. 1.
  • Such 'single solution package' chips comprise many complex components and are devices with high power requirements, contributing to their complexity and high power consumption respectively.
  • functional blocks such as a low noise amplifier, mixer, a frequency synthesizer, an analog to digital converter (ADC), a digital to analog converter (DAC) and a power amplifier making up the RF transceiver contribute to the complexity thereof and consequently to that of the 'single solution package' chips.
  • ADC analog to digital converter
  • DAC digital to analog converter
  • an apparatus for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network comprises a transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via an antenna.
  • the apparatus also comprises a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and at least one peripheral device.
  • the peripheral device communicates with the transponder via the controller.
  • the data communicated via the controller is communicated as data signals between the transponder and the controller.
  • the transponder further, interfaces between the communication signals and the data signal.
  • An isolation circuit is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
  • a communication control system for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network.
  • the communication control system comprises an antenna and a transponder.
  • the controller at least one of transmits and receives communication signals via the antenna.
  • the communication control system also comprises at least one peripheral device and a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and the peripheral device.
  • the peripheral device communicates with the transponder via the controller.
  • the data communicated via the controller is communicated as data signals between the transponder and the controller.
  • the transponder further, interfaces between the communication signals and the data signal.
  • An isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
  • a communication control method for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network.
  • the communication control method preferably comprises a first control scheme and a second control scheme.
  • the communication control method comprises extracting data from communication signals received by a transponder.
  • the communication signals are received by the transponder via an antenna from a wireless network.
  • the data are communicated as data signals to a controller.
  • the data signals are communicated via an isolator.
  • the controller operates at least one peripheral device based on the data communicated by the transponder.
  • the isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
  • the communication control method comprises operating at least one peripheral device by a controller.
  • the controller obtains data from the peripheral device.
  • the data is communicated to a transponder as data signals.
  • the data signals are communicated via an isolator.
  • the data is inserted into communication signals transmitted by the transponder.
  • the communication signals are transmitted via an antenna through a wireless network.
  • the isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
  • FIG. 1 shows a component layout of a conventional wireless communication implementation using a 'single solution package' chip
  • FIG. 2a-b shows a communication apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, for facilitating communication of peripheral devices within a wireless communication
  • FIG. 3 shows the relationship between a controller transmission and a feedback signal
  • FIG. 4 shows a communication control system in accordance with another aspect of the invention, for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication;
  • FIG. 5a-b shows a first communication control scheme and a second communication control scheme of a communication control method, in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication.
  • the apparatus 200 comprises a controller 210, powered by a power supply 220, an isolator 230 and a transponder 240.
  • the controller 210 is preferably a microcontroller for controlling communication of data between the transponder 240 and a peripheral device 250.
  • the data communicated via the controller 210 and the peripheral device 250 is communicated as data signals between the controller 210 and the transponder 240.
  • the power supply 220 is preferably a battery.
  • the transponder 240 is preferably a passive transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via an antenna 260.
  • the transponder 240 for converting between at least one of transmitted and received communication signals and the data signal.
  • the transponder 240 communicates with the antenna 260 and at least one of transmits and receives the communication signals, preferably, as RF signals.
  • the communication signals are preferably transmitted via backscattering.
  • the transponder 240 is a passive transponder configured as a power assisted transponder. The passive transponder when configured as a power assisted transponder, allows for a longer communication distance when communication signals are at least one of transmitted and received via the antenna 260.
  • An example of configuring the passive transponder as a power assisted transponder is to supply power to the passive transponder from the power supply 220 through the controller 210.
  • the controller 210 is preferably configured to supply power to the passive transponder when communication activities from the passive transponder are present.
  • the controller 210 is programmed to supply power to the passive transponder when the controller 210 detects that there are communication activities from the passive transponder. Conversely, when there are no communication activities detected from the passive transponder, the controller 210 does not supply power to the passive transponder. Therefore power consumption can be reduced when the passive transponder is configured as a power assisted transponder to allow for longer communication distance during the communication of signals.
  • Conventional methods, such as periodic software polling between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 are implementable to enable detection of communication activities from the transponder 240.
  • the controller 210 comprises a first input/output (I/O) port 210a and a second I/O port 210b.
  • the transponder 240 comprises a RF port 240a.
  • the controller 210 is coupled to the peripheral device 250 via the first I/O port 210a. Further coupled to the controller 210 is the transponder 240.
  • the controller 210 is coupled to the transponder 240 via the second I/O port 210b and the RF port 240a.
  • the controller 210 is a baseband device that operates at baseband frequencies whilst the transponder 240 is a radio frequency (RF) device.
  • the transponder 240 preferably operates at ultra high frequency (UHF) with a frequency range including 800MHz - 960MHz.
  • UHF ultra high frequency
  • the transponder 240 Since the transponder 240 is coupled with the controller 210, there is RF communication between the controller 210 and the transponder 240. Therefore, due to the RF communication, any data signals being communicated between the controller 210 and the transponder 240, via the second I/O port 210b and the RF port 240a, will result in severe attenuation of strength of the data signals. This renders the communication of data signals between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 ineffective. Hence, when coupling the controller 210 to the transponder 240 there is a need for energy, power and information to be efficiently communicated between the controller 210 and the transponder 240.
  • impedance of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 is susceptible to impedance changes.
  • the impedance changes of the RF port 240a may cause undesired variations during the RF communication.
  • impedance changes of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 may cause undesired variations during the RF communication.
  • the isolator 230 is configured with the controller 210 and the transponder 240 for impeding the RF communication between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 so as to substantially reduce the aforementioned severe attenuation. Furthermore, the isolator 230 reduces impedance changes of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 during RF communication via the antenna 260. Preferably, the isolator 230 substantially prevents any impedance change of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 during RF communication via the antenna 260.
  • the isolator 230 is configured with the controller 210 and the transponder 240 by one or a combination of wired coupling and wireless coupling.
  • Wired coupling is preferably implementable by disposing RF chokes between the second I/O port 210b of the controller 210 and the RF port 240a of the transponder 240.
  • the RF chokes couples the controller 210 to the passive transponder 240 via the second I/O port 210b and RF port 240a respectively.
  • Wireless coupling can be implemented by various methods known in the art, for example, inductive coupling.
  • the first I/O port 210a of the controller 210 comprises a peripheral pin 212a, as shown in Fig. 2b.
  • the second I/O port 210b of the controller 210 comprises a first antenna pin 214a and a second antenna pin 214b.
  • the controller 210 preferably, further comprises a converter 216 and a comparator 218.
  • the peripheral device 250 is coupled to the converter 216 via the peripheral pin 212a.
  • the converter 216 converts between analogue and digital data formats.
  • the peripheral device 250 is preferably an analogue device sending data, in the analogue format, to the controller 210.
  • the peripheral device 250 is alternatively an analogue device receiving data from the controller 210.
  • the converter 216 receives the data, in the analogue format.
  • the converter 216 converts the data from an analogue format to a digital format so that the data is formatted for use by the controller 210.
  • the converter 216 converts the data to the analogue format before the output signal is received by the peripheral device 250.
  • the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 comprises a first RF pin 242a and a second RF pin 242b.
  • the antenna 260 comprises a first terminal 262 and a second terminal 264.
  • the controller 210 is coupled to the isolator 230 via the first and second antenna pins 214a/214b. Further coupled to the isolator 230 are the transponder 240 and the antenna 260.
  • the antenna 260 and the transponder 240 are coupled to the isolator 230 via, respectively, the first and second terminals 262/264 and the RF port 240a.
  • the isolator 230 comprises a first RF choke 232 and a second RF choke 234.
  • Each of the first and second RF choke 232/234 is preferably a chip inductor.
  • each of the first and second RF choke 232/234 is a meander inductor.
  • the first and second RF choke 232/234 couples the controller 210 to the transponder 240 and the antenna 260.
  • the first RF choke 232 couples the controller 210 to the transponder 240 and the antenna 260 via the first antenna pin 214a of the controller 210, the first RF pin 242a of the transponder 240 and the first terminal 262 of the antenna 260.
  • the second RF choke 234 couples the controller 210 to the transponder 240 and the antenna 260 via the second antenna pin 214b of the controller 210, the second RF pin 242b of the transponder 240 and the second terminal 264 of the antenna 260.
  • Signals are communicated between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 via the first antenna pin 214a and the first RF pin 242a.
  • the comparator 218 of the controller 210 receives a feedback signal from the transponder 240 via the second antenna pin 214b.
  • a resistor 270 is connected to the controller 210 via the second antenna pin 214b.
  • the resistor 270 preferably serves to limit electric current into the comparator 218 of the controller 210.
  • voltage across the resistor 270 is also varied as a function of the feedback from the transponder 240.
  • a controller transmission 345 is transmitted to the transponder 240 from the controller 210 via the first antenna pin 214a and first RF pin 242a.
  • the feedback signal 395 generated by the transponder 240 is transmitted to the controller 210 via second antenna pin 214b and second RF pin 242b.
  • the controller transmission 345 comprises a command signal 345a as shown in Fig. 3.
  • An example of the response characteristics is demonstrated by providing the command signal 345a to the transponder 240.
  • the command signal 345a is first transmitted to the transponder 240 from the controller 210 via the first antenna pin 214a.
  • the feedback signal 395 is then generated by the transponder 240 and transmitted to the controller 210 via the second RF pin 242b.
  • Response of the feedback signal 395 comprises a first state 395a, a second state 395b and a third state 395c.
  • the first state 395a is represented by a flat line which indicates a null feedback signal.
  • the null feedback signal indicates the absence of the command signal 345a.
  • the second state 395b is represented by a ramp line showing the initiation of the feedback signal 395 in response to the command signal 345a being detected.
  • the third state 395c shows the feedback signal 395 responding in relation to the command signal 345a.
  • the feedback signal 395 allows the controller 210 to check the response of the transponder 240 when needed. For example, when the controller 210 acts as a reader for receiving information from the transponder 240, the controller 210 will need to check the feedback signal 395 from the transponder 240 before retrieving information from the transponder 240. Alternatively, when the controller 210 attempts to transmit information to the transponder 240, the feedback signal 395 will also indicate the readiness of the transponder 240 to receive information from the controller 210, particularly, when transmitting information to the transponder 240 employing certain standard protocols such as EPC global class 1 generation 2.
  • the apparatus 200 is deployed in a communication control system 400, as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the communication control system 400 preferably comprises one or more of the apparatus 200 and a reader/interrogator 410 for establishing a wireless network 420.
  • the apparatus 200 is deployed in the communication control system 400 with the peripheral device 250 being a sensor or an actuator.
  • the sensor When deployed with the peripheral device 250 as a sensor, the sensor transmits data which is in an analogue format, to the controller 210.
  • the controller 210 first converts the data format from analogue to digital format before further processing.
  • the controller 210 after processing the data, produces a data signal.
  • the data signal is transmitted from the controller 210 through the wireless network 420 via the antenna 260.
  • the antenna 260 is coupled to the isolator 230 and the transponder 240.
  • the reader/interrogator 410 receives the transmitted data signal.
  • the controller 210 comprises a protocol firmware that is similar to a protocol firmware used by the reader/interrogator 410 to communicate with the transponder 240.
  • the transponder 240 is preferably a passive transponder operating on Amplitude Shift Keying modulation.
  • the actuator when deployed with the peripheral device 250 as an actuator, the actuator receives a data from the controller 210.
  • the controller 210 receives a data signal from the wireless network 420 via the antenna 260, from the reader/interrogator 410.
  • the antenna 260 is coupled to the isolator 230 and transponder 240.
  • the data signal is processed by the controller 210, upon receipt of the data signal by the controller 210. Appropriate conversion of the data format to analogue format is performed in the controller 210 before receipt by the actuator.
  • the controller 210 provides added intelligence and memory for the transponder to operate within the wireless network 420.
  • the controller 210 enables the communication control system 400 to be adaptable to, for example, changes or increased complexity in communication requirements.
  • the controller 210 further enables the communication control system 400 to be adaptable to user requirements.
  • the apparatus 200 employs a communication control method.
  • the communication control method preferably comprises a first control scheme 500a and a second control scheme 500b as shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b respectively.
  • the communication control method under the first communication control scheme 500a comprises extracting data from communication signals received by the transponder 240 in step 510a.
  • Communication signals provided by, for example, the reader/interrogator 410 are received, from the wireless network 420, by the transponder 240 via the antenna 260.
  • step 520a the data are communicated as data signals to the controller 210.
  • the data signals are communicated via the isolator 230.
  • the controller 210 operates the peripheral device 250 based on the data communicated by the transponder 240 to the controller 210.
  • the isolator 230 is configured with the transponder 240 and the controller 210 for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder 240 and the controller 210 to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder 240 and the controller 210.
  • the communication control method under the second communication control scheme 500b comprises operating the peripheral device 250 by the controller 210 for obtaining data in step 510b.
  • the data obtained by the controller 210 is obtained from the peripheral device 250.
  • the data is communicated from the controller 210, via the isolator 230, to the transponder 240 as data signals.
  • the data is inserted into communication signals transmitted by the transponder 240.
  • the communication signals are transmitted through the wireless network 420 via the antenna 260.
  • the isolator 230 is configured with the transponder 240 and the controller 210 for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder 240 and the controller 210 to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder 240 and the controller 210.

Abstract

An apparatus, a method and a system for facilitating communication of peripheral devices within a wireless communication. The apparatus comprises a passive transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via an antenna. The apparatus also comprises a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and at least one peripheral device therevia. The transponder, further, interfaces between the communication signals and the data signal. An isolation circuit is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to thereby substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.

Description

COMMUNICATION CONTROL SYSTEM
Field Of Invention
The present invention generally relates to wireless network communication. More particularly, the invention relates to facilitating and controlling communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication.
Background
Current radio frequency (RF) transceivers in transponders have complex designs. Conventional implementations for wireless communication employ devices such as battery assisted passive (BAP) transponders or standard commercial 'single solution package' chips. The devices deployed in conventional methods are complex.
BAP transponders require supply of power. Typically, power is supplied from a battery to a BAP transponder. An interface is also required for inter-coupling the BAP transponders and peripheral devices.
An example of a typical commercial 'single solution package' chip 100 comprising a RF transceiver 110 is shown in Fig. 1. Such 'single solution package' chips comprise many complex components and are devices with high power requirements, contributing to their complexity and high power consumption respectively. As apparent in Fig. 1, functional blocks such as a low noise amplifier, mixer, a frequency synthesizer, an analog to digital converter (ADC), a digital to analog converter (DAC) and a power amplifier making up the RF transceiver contribute to the complexity thereof and consequently to that of the 'single solution package' chips.
Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that conventional implementations for wireless communication are complex and have high power requirement. Hence a solution for addressing the foregoing problems is desired. Summary
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network is provided. The apparatus comprises a transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via an antenna. The apparatus also comprises a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and at least one peripheral device. The peripheral device communicates with the transponder via the controller. The data communicated via the controller is communicated as data signals between the transponder and the controller. The transponder, further, interfaces between the communication signals and the data signal. An isolation circuit is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a communication control system for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network is provided. The communication control system comprises an antenna and a transponder. The controller at least one of transmits and receives communication signals via the antenna. The communication control system also comprises at least one peripheral device and a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and the peripheral device. The peripheral device communicates with the transponder via the controller. The data communicated via the controller is communicated as data signals between the transponder and the controller. The transponder, further, interfaces between the communication signals and the data signal. An isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a communication control method for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network is provided. The communication control method preferably comprises a first control scheme and a second control scheme. In the first communication control scheme, the communication control method comprises extracting data from communication signals received by a transponder. The communication signals are received by the transponder via an antenna from a wireless network. The data are communicated as data signals to a controller. The data signals are communicated via an isolator. The controller operates at least one peripheral device based on the data communicated by the transponder. The isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
In the second communication control scheme, the communication control method comprises operating at least one peripheral device by a controller. The controller obtains data from the peripheral device. The data is communicated to a transponder as data signals. The data signals are communicated via an isolator. The data is inserted into communication signals transmitted by the transponder. The communication signals are transmitted via an antenna through a wireless network. The isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a component layout of a conventional wireless communication implementation using a 'single solution package' chip; FIG. 2a-b shows a communication apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, for facilitating communication of peripheral devices within a wireless communication;
FIG. 3 shows the relationship between a controller transmission and a feedback signal;
FIG. 4 shows a communication control system in accordance with another aspect of the invention, for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication; and
FIG. 5a-b shows a first communication control scheme and a second communication control scheme of a communication control method, in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication.
Detailed Description
For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description of the present invention is limited hereinafter to an apparatus, a method and a system for controlling and facilitating communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication. This however does not preclude various embodiments of the invention from other applications where fundamental principles prevalent among the various embodiments of the invention such as operational, functional or performance characteristics are required.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention, an apparatus 200 for facilitating and controlling communication with peripheral devices within a wireless communication network for addressing the foregoing problems of conventional wireless communication implementations, is described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 2a-b. The apparatus 200 comprises a controller 210, powered by a power supply 220, an isolator 230 and a transponder 240. The controller 210 is preferably a microcontroller for controlling communication of data between the transponder 240 and a peripheral device 250. The data communicated via the controller 210 and the peripheral device 250 is communicated as data signals between the controller 210 and the transponder 240. The power supply 220 is preferably a battery.
The transponder 240 is preferably a passive transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via an antenna 260. The transponder 240 for converting between at least one of transmitted and received communication signals and the data signal. The transponder 240 communicates with the antenna 260 and at least one of transmits and receives the communication signals, preferably, as RF signals. The communication signals are preferably transmitted via backscattering. Alternatively, the transponder 240 is a passive transponder configured as a power assisted transponder. The passive transponder when configured as a power assisted transponder, allows for a longer communication distance when communication signals are at least one of transmitted and received via the antenna 260. An example of configuring the passive transponder as a power assisted transponder is to supply power to the passive transponder from the power supply 220 through the controller 210. The controller 210 is preferably configured to supply power to the passive transponder when communication activities from the passive transponder are present. For example, the controller 210 is programmed to supply power to the passive transponder when the controller 210 detects that there are communication activities from the passive transponder. Conversely, when there are no communication activities detected from the passive transponder, the controller 210 does not supply power to the passive transponder. Therefore power consumption can be reduced when the passive transponder is configured as a power assisted transponder to allow for longer communication distance during the communication of signals. Conventional methods, such as periodic software polling between the controller 210 and the transponder 240, are implementable to enable detection of communication activities from the transponder 240.
The controller 210 comprises a first input/output (I/O) port 210a and a second I/O port 210b. The transponder 240 comprises a RF port 240a. The controller 210 is coupled to the peripheral device 250 via the first I/O port 210a. Further coupled to the controller 210 is the transponder 240. The controller 210 is coupled to the transponder 240 via the second I/O port 210b and the RF port 240a. Typically, the controller 210 is a baseband device that operates at baseband frequencies whilst the transponder 240 is a radio frequency (RF) device. The transponder 240 preferably operates at ultra high frequency (UHF) with a frequency range including 800MHz - 960MHz. Since the transponder 240 is coupled with the controller 210, there is RF communication between the controller 210 and the transponder 240. Therefore, due to the RF communication, any data signals being communicated between the controller 210 and the transponder 240, via the second I/O port 210b and the RF port 240a, will result in severe attenuation of strength of the data signals. This renders the communication of data signals between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 ineffective. Hence, when coupling the controller 210 to the transponder 240 there is a need for energy, power and information to be efficiently communicated between the controller 210 and the transponder 240. Additionally, during RF communication of the transponder 240 via the antenna 260, impedance of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 is susceptible to impedance changes. The impedance changes of the RF port 240a may cause undesired variations during the RF communication. Hence there is a need to prevent such variations during the RF communication by reducing impedance changes of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240.
The isolator 230 is configured with the controller 210 and the transponder 240 for impeding the RF communication between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 so as to substantially reduce the aforementioned severe attenuation. Furthermore, the isolator 230 reduces impedance changes of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 during RF communication via the antenna 260. Preferably, the isolator 230 substantially prevents any impedance change of the RF port 240a of the transponder 240 during RF communication via the antenna 260. The isolator 230 is configured with the controller 210 and the transponder 240 by one or a combination of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Wired coupling is preferably implementable by disposing RF chokes between the second I/O port 210b of the controller 210 and the RF port 240a of the transponder 240. Preferably, the RF chokes couples the controller 210 to the passive transponder 240 via the second I/O port 210b and RF port 240a respectively. Wireless coupling can be implemented by various methods known in the art, for example, inductive coupling.
The first I/O port 210a of the controller 210 comprises a peripheral pin 212a, as shown in Fig. 2b. The second I/O port 210b of the controller 210 comprises a first antenna pin 214a and a second antenna pin 214b. The controller 210, preferably, further comprises a converter 216 and a comparator 218.
The peripheral device 250 is coupled to the converter 216 via the peripheral pin 212a. The converter 216 converts between analogue and digital data formats. The peripheral device 250 is preferably an analogue device sending data, in the analogue format, to the controller 210. The peripheral device 250 is alternatively an analogue device receiving data from the controller 210. When the peripheral device 250 is an analogue device sending data to the controller 210, the converter 216 receives the data, in the analogue format. After receiving the data, the converter 216 converts the data from an analogue format to a digital format so that the data is formatted for use by the controller 210. Conversely, when the peripheral device 250 is an analogue device receiving data from the controller 210, the converter 216 converts the data to the analogue format before the output signal is received by the peripheral device 250.
The RF port 240a of the transponder 240 comprises a first RF pin 242a and a second RF pin 242b. The antenna 260 comprises a first terminal 262 and a second terminal 264. The controller 210 is coupled to the isolator 230 via the first and second antenna pins 214a/214b. Further coupled to the isolator 230 are the transponder 240 and the antenna 260. The antenna 260 and the transponder 240 are coupled to the isolator 230 via, respectively, the first and second terminals 262/264 and the RF port 240a.
The isolator 230 comprises a first RF choke 232 and a second RF choke 234. Each of the first and second RF choke 232/234 is preferably a chip inductor. Alternatively, each of the first and second RF choke 232/234 is a meander inductor. The first and second RF choke 232/234 couples the controller 210 to the transponder 240 and the antenna 260. The first RF choke 232 couples the controller 210 to the transponder 240 and the antenna 260 via the first antenna pin 214a of the controller 210, the first RF pin 242a of the transponder 240 and the first terminal 262 of the antenna 260. The second RF choke 234 couples the controller 210 to the transponder 240 and the antenna 260 via the second antenna pin 214b of the controller 210, the second RF pin 242b of the transponder 240 and the second terminal 264 of the antenna 260.
Signals are communicated between the controller 210 and the transponder 240 via the first antenna pin 214a and the first RF pin 242a. The comparator 218 of the controller 210 receives a feedback signal from the transponder 240 via the second antenna pin 214b. As shown, a resistor 270 is connected to the controller 210 via the second antenna pin 214b. The resistor 270 preferably serves to limit electric current into the comparator 218 of the controller 210. When a signal is transmitted from the controller 210 to the transponder 240, voltage across the resistor 270 is also varied as a function of the feedback from the transponder 240.
With reference to Fig. 3, the relationship between a controller transmission 345 and a feedback signal 395 is shown. As discussed in Fig. 2b, the controller transmission 345 is transmitted to the transponder 240 from the controller 210 via the first antenna pin 214a and first RF pin 242a. The feedback signal 395 generated by the transponder 240 is transmitted to the controller 210 via second antenna pin 214b and second RF pin 242b.
The controller transmission 345 comprises a command signal 345a as shown in Fig. 3. An example of the response characteristics is demonstrated by providing the command signal 345a to the transponder 240. The command signal 345a is first transmitted to the transponder 240 from the controller 210 via the first antenna pin 214a. The feedback signal 395 is then generated by the transponder 240 and transmitted to the controller 210 via the second RF pin 242b. Response of the feedback signal 395 comprises a first state 395a, a second state 395b and a third state 395c. The first state 395a is represented by a flat line which indicates a null feedback signal. The null feedback signal indicates the absence of the command signal 345a. The second state 395b is represented by a ramp line showing the initiation of the feedback signal 395 in response to the command signal 345a being detected. The third state 395c shows the feedback signal 395 responding in relation to the command signal 345a.
The feedback signal 395 allows the controller 210 to check the response of the transponder 240 when needed. For example, when the controller 210 acts as a reader for receiving information from the transponder 240, the controller 210 will need to check the feedback signal 395 from the transponder 240 before retrieving information from the transponder 240. Alternatively, when the controller 210 attempts to transmit information to the transponder 240, the feedback signal 395 will also indicate the readiness of the transponder 240 to receive information from the controller 210, particularly, when transmitting information to the transponder 240 employing certain standard protocols such as EPC global class 1 generation 2.
Preferably, the apparatus 200 is deployed in a communication control system 400, as shown in Fig. 4. The communication control system 400 preferably comprises one or more of the apparatus 200 and a reader/interrogator 410 for establishing a wireless network 420. The apparatus 200 is deployed in the communication control system 400 with the peripheral device 250 being a sensor or an actuator. When deployed with the peripheral device 250 as a sensor, the sensor transmits data which is in an analogue format, to the controller 210. The controller 210 first converts the data format from analogue to digital format before further processing. The controller 210, after processing the data, produces a data signal. The data signal is transmitted from the controller 210 through the wireless network 420 via the antenna 260. The antenna 260 is coupled to the isolator 230 and the transponder 240. The reader/interrogator 410 receives the transmitted data signal. The controller 210 comprises a protocol firmware that is similar to a protocol firmware used by the reader/interrogator 410 to communicate with the transponder 240. The transponder 240 is preferably a passive transponder operating on Amplitude Shift Keying modulation. Alternatively, when deployed with the peripheral device 250 as an actuator, the actuator receives a data from the controller 210. The controller 210 receives a data signal from the wireless network 420 via the antenna 260, from the reader/interrogator 410. The antenna 260 is coupled to the isolator 230 and transponder 240. The data signal is processed by the controller 210, upon receipt of the data signal by the controller 210. Appropriate conversion of the data format to analogue format is performed in the controller 210 before receipt by the actuator.
The controller 210 provides added intelligence and memory for the transponder to operate within the wireless network 420. Advantageously, the controller 210 enables the communication control system 400 to be adaptable to, for example, changes or increased complexity in communication requirements. Preferably, the controller 210 further enables the communication control system 400 to be adaptable to user requirements.
Preferably, the apparatus 200 employs a communication control method. The communication control method preferably comprises a first control scheme 500a and a second control scheme 500b as shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b respectively. The communication control method under the first communication control scheme 500a comprises extracting data from communication signals received by the transponder 240 in step 510a. Communication signals provided by, for example, the reader/interrogator 410 are received, from the wireless network 420, by the transponder 240 via the antenna 260. In step 520a, the data are communicated as data signals to the controller 210. The data signals are communicated via the isolator 230. In step 530a, the controller 210 operates the peripheral device 250 based on the data communicated by the transponder 240 to the controller 210. The isolator 230 is configured with the transponder 240 and the controller 210 for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder 240 and the controller 210 to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder 240 and the controller 210.
The communication control method under the second communication control scheme 500b comprises operating the peripheral device 250 by the controller 210 for obtaining data in step 510b. The data obtained by the controller 210 is obtained from the peripheral device 250. The data is communicated from the controller 210, via the isolator 230, to the transponder 240 as data signals. In step 530b, the data is inserted into communication signals transmitted by the transponder 240. The communication signals are transmitted through the wireless network 420 via the antenna 260. The isolator 230 is configured with the transponder 240 and the controller 210 for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder 240 and the controller 210 to substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder 240 and the controller 210.
In the foregoing manner, an apparatus, system and method for facilitating communication of peripheral devices within a wireless communication is described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. The invention is not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A communication control apparatus comprising: a transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via an antenna; a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and at least one peripheral device therevia, the data communicated via the controller being communicated as data signals between the transponder and the controller, and the transponder further for interfacing between the communication signals and the data signal; an isolator configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to thereby substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the communication signals are at least one of transmitted and received via the antenna as RF signals.
3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the controller operates at baseband frequency.
4. The apparatus as in claim 1, transmission of the communication signals by the transponder being via back scattering.
5. The apparatus as in claim 1, the transponder being powered by the communication signals receivable via the antenna.
6. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a battery for powering the controller.
7. The apparatus as in claim 6, the transponder being powered by the battery via the controller.
8. The apparatus as in claim 1, the isolator comprising: an RF choke.
9. The apparatus as in claim 1, the isolator comprising: an inductive coupling configured between the transponder and the controller.
10. A communication control system comprising: an antenna; a transponder for at least one of transmitting and receiving communication signals via the antenna; at least one peripheral device; a controller for controlling communication of data between the transponder and the peripheral device therevia, the data communicated via the controller being communicated as data signals between the transponder and the controller, and the transponder further for interfacing between the communication signals and the data signal; an isolator configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to thereby substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the peripheral is an actuator or a sensor.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the antenna is a radio frequency (RF) antenna.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the controller is a microprocessor operating at baseband frequency and the transponder operates at RF frequency.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the passive transponder is configured as a power assisted transponder.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein the isolator wire couples the controller and the passive transponder.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the isolator circuit comprises RF chokes, the RF chokes connecting the controller and the passive transponder.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein the isolator couples the controller and the passive transponder wirelessly.
18. A communication control method comprising: extracting data from communication signals received by a transponder, the communication signals being received by the transponder via an antenna; communicating the data to a controller as data signals, the data signals being communicated via an isolator; and operating at least one peripheral device by the controller based on the data communicated by the transponder thereto, wherein the isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to thereby substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
19. The method as in claim 18, the passive transponder operating at radio frequency (RF) and the controller being a microcontroller operating at baseband frequency.
20. The method as in claim 19, the isolator wire coupling the microcontroller and the passive transponder.
21. The method as in claim 20, the isolator comprising RF chokes, the RF chokes connecting the microcontroller and the passive transponder.
22. The method as in claim 19, the isolator coupling the microcontroller and the passive transponder wirelessly.
23. The method as in claim 18, the passive transponder being configured as a power assisted transponder.
24. A communication control method comprising: operating at least one peripheral device by a controller for obtaining data therefrom; communicating the data to a transponder as data signals, the data signals being communicated via an isolator; and inserting the data into communication signals transmitted by the transponder, the communication signals being transmitted via an antenna, wherein the isolator is configured with the transponder and the controller for substantially impeding RF communication between the transponder and the controller to thereby substantially reduce attenuation in strength of the data signals being communicated between the transponder and the controller.
PCT/SG2008/000335 2007-09-07 2008-09-08 Communication control system WO2009031981A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US93593907P 2007-09-07 2007-09-07
US60/935,939 2007-09-07

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6838989B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2005-01-04 Intermec Ip Corp. RFID transponder having active backscatter amplifier for re-transmitting a received signal
US6853294B1 (en) * 2000-07-26 2005-02-08 Intermec Ip Corp. Networking applications for automated data collection
WO2006003648A2 (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-01-12 Powerid Ltd. Battery-assisted backscatter rfid transponder

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6838989B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2005-01-04 Intermec Ip Corp. RFID transponder having active backscatter amplifier for re-transmitting a received signal
US6853294B1 (en) * 2000-07-26 2005-02-08 Intermec Ip Corp. Networking applications for automated data collection
WO2006003648A2 (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-01-12 Powerid Ltd. Battery-assisted backscatter rfid transponder

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