WO1998029957A1

WO1998029957A1 - Micropower paging control of communications functions

Info

Publication number: WO1998029957A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/018505
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Moon Yee; Robert Henry Bickley; Theodore Wooley Keller; Philip John Zucarelli; Jerry Clyde Brand; Christopher Kent Moyer
Original assignee: Motorola Inc.
Priority date: 1996-12-30
Filing date: 1997-10-14
Publication date: 1998-07-09
Also published as: TW357509B; AU4755797A

Abstract

A method for remotely activating a beacon-burst transmitter. In a first embodiment, the method includes steps of (i) receiving a first paging signal by a micropower paging receiver (10); (ii) interpreting said first paging signal by a microprocessor (22) coupled to said micropower paging receiver (10); (iii) activating a power switch (18) coupled to said microprocessor (22) and said micropower paging receiver (10), said power switch (18) for enabling a power source (16); and (iv) transmitting a beacon signal by a beacon-burst transmitter coupled to said power switch (18), said microprocessor (22) and said micropower paging receiver (10). The method desirably further comprises steps of (v) activating a global positioning system receiver in response to said first paging signal; (vi) obtaining a position fix from said global positioning system receiver; and (vii) transmitting said position fix by said beacon-burst transmitter.

Description

MICROPOWER PAGING CONTROL OF COMMUNICATIONS FUNCTIONS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to the field of power- and battery-saving techniques , in particular to remotely programmable devices and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for remotely turning on or off of a radio and programming same.

Background of the Invention

Conservation of electrical energy is important for many electronic products which require batteries . Battery life or time between charging is generally directly proportional to the rate at which power is drawn from the battery, and longer battery life at fixed power consumption is generally directly proportional to battery weight and size. It is thus advantageous to turn off at least portions of battery powered equipment when they are not in use. However, when the equipment is turned off, it does not operate .

Thus, what is needed is a practical, economical method for turning electronic equipment on, or at least the power- intensive portions thereof, when it is needed and without requiring human intervention, particularly for portable equipment and for battery-powered equipment that desirably can function unattended, and further for remote programming and/or operation of electronic equipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of a communications system with a micropower paging receiver being used to control the system power to a radio system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of a communications system with a micropower paging receiver being used to control the system power to a radio system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third preferred embodiment of a communications system with a micropower paging receiver being used to control the system power to a radio system in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a fourth preferred embodiment of a communications system with a micropower paging receiver being used to control the system power to a radio system in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts a typical communications system with micropower paging receiver 10 (such as an Bravo Plus numeric display synthesized pager manufactured by Motorola of Boynton Beach FL) being used to control the system power to radio system 11 (such as an LST-5 (C, D or E) manufactured by Motorola of Scottsdale AZ) via electrical interconnection 14 and power controller 18. Battery 16, power converter/controller 18, microprocessor 22, communications function 25, antenna 30 and interconnections 12, 14, 20, 23 and 27 collectively comprise radio 11.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10 is powered continuously from system battery pack 16 via interconnection 12, which also couples power to power controller 18. Power converter/controller 18, in turn, delivers power to microprocessor/system controller 22 and communications function 25 (communications function portion of LST-5 (C, D or E) , PRC-112 A or B, Hook-112, Speakeasy Model II or Saber II/Indicter radios, manufactured by Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ; processors include MC68HC08, HCll, 3xxx series, DSP 56xxx, 96xxx from Motorola SPS of Austin TX) via interconnection 20 in response to commands from micropower paging receiver 10. Commands from micropower paging receiver 10, in turn, come from radio signals received by micropower paging receiver 10 via antenna 8 coupled to micropower paging receiver 10 via interconnection 9. Communications function 25 is controlled via interconnection 23 by microprocessor 22 and transmits signals in response thereto via antenna 30 and interconnection 27.

Since micropower paging receiver 10 uses a fraction of the standby power of radio system 11, useful life of system battery pack 16 is extended accordingly (in the case of radio system 11 being a cellular telephone device (such as MicroTAC®, StarTAC® and Motorola GSS; Iridium®; all available from Motorola of Schaumburg IL, system battery pack 16 standby lifetime is extended from 12 hours to a minimum of two months) . System power converter/controller 18 (such as switch mode power supply with shutdown as used in Hook I, Hook II, Hook-112 and Soldier/Korea products, available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) , microprocessor/system controller function 22 (processors include MC68HC08, HCll, 3xxx series, DSP 56xxx, 96xxx from Motorola SPS of Austin TX) and communications function 25 (such as communications portion of LST-5 (C, D or E) , PRC- 112 A or B, Hook-112, Speakeasy Model II or Saber II/Indicter radios, manufactured by Motorola SSTG of

Scottsdale AZ) are held in a un-powered state until the micropower paging receiver 10 receives a activation signal via a remote, industry recognized paging signal transmitter. Upon receipt of a valid paging signal, micropower paging receiver 10 provides an activation signal to the system power converter/controller 18, which in turn supplies power to the rest of radio system 11. Depending on the data sent in the paging signal, microprocessor/system controller function 22 determines its next course of action according to its internal operational sequences (i.e., powers up communications function 25 to perform a specific task etc.). Upon completion of these tasks, radio system 11 powers itself down until the next valid paging signal is received by the micropower paging receiver 10.

FIG. 2 depicts a typical communications system application with micropower paging receiver 10 being used to control system power utilized by radio system 31 via the operation of low power microprocessor/system controller function 22. Signals from micropower paging receiver 10 are coupled via electrical interconnection 15 to low power microprocessor 22, which in turn activates power switch 21 when signals received via antenna 8, interconnection 9 and micropower paging receiver 10 request this. Battery 16, power converter/controller 18, switch 21, low power microprocessor 22, communications function 25, antenna 30 and interconnections 12, 15, 20, 20', 24 and 27 collectively comprise radio 31.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10 and low power microprocessor 22 are powered continuously from system battery pack 16 via interconnection 12, which also couples power to power controller 18. Alternatively, power for the microprocessor could be enabled by micropower pager 10 via line 12 ' upon decoding of a valid wakeup signal received by pager 10. Power converter/controller 18, in turn, delivers power to microprocessor/system controller 22 and communications function 25 via interconnections 20, 20' in response to commands from micropower paging receiver 10. Commands from micropower paging receiver 10, in turn, come from radio signals received by micropower paging receiver 10. Communications function 25 is controlled via interconnection 24 by microprocessor 22 and transmits signals in response thereto via antenna 30 and interconnection 27.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10, low power microprocessor/system controller function 22 and system power converter/controller 18 are powered continuously from system battery pack 16. Since micropower paging receiver 10 uses a negligible amount of standby power, useful life of system battery pack 16 is minimally affected. System power converter/controller 18 and microprocessor/system controller function 22 are operated in a low power 'sleep' mode until micropower paging receiver 10 receives a valid activation signal via a remote, industry recognized paging signal transmitter. The relatively high power communications function 25 is held in the un-powered state by the appropriate control of power switch 18. Upon receipt of a valid paging signal, micropower paging receiver 10 provides an activation or 'wake up' signal to microprocessor/system controller function 22, which in turn activates the rest of radio system 31. Depending on the data sent in the paging signal, microprocessor/system controller function 22 determines its next course of action according to its internal operational sequences (i.e., powers up its communications function 25 through the appropriate control of power switch 18 to perform a specific task etc.) . Upon completion of these tasks, microprocessor/system controller function 22 and system power converter/controller 18 return to the low power 'sleep' state until the next valid paging signal is received by micropower paging receiver 10.

An example of this type of system is a remote data logger (such as the data logging portions of Hook/Soldier/Korea 911 family of products available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) that periodically powers up to make measurements and transmit telemetry. With the addition of micropower paging receiver 10 functionality, the operation of the system is enhanced by the ability to be controlled from a remote location with a minimal reduction in battery life.

FIG. 3 depicts a typical interrogatable remote monitoring system application with micropower paging receiver 10 being used to control the system power to radio system 33 (such as the radio portions of Hook 112 /Soldier/Korea 911 family of products available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) and sensor array 29 (such as the PVT-6, VP Encore family of products available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) via electrical interconnection 14 and power controller 18. Battery 16, power converter/controller 18, microprocessor 22, communications function 25, antenna 30, sensor array 29 and interconnections 12, 14, 20, 23 and 27 collectively comprise radio 33.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10 is powered continuously from system battery pack 16 via interconnection 12 , which also couples power to power controller 18. Power converter/controller 18, in turn, delivers power to microprocessor/system controller 22 and communications function 25 via interconnection 20 in response to commands from micropower paging receiver 10 received at power controller 18 via interconnection 14. Commands from micropower paging receiver 10, in turn, come from radio signals received by micropower paging receiver 10 via antenna 8 coupled to micropower paging receiver 10 via interconnection 9. Communications function 25 is controlled via interconnection 23 by microprocessor 22 and transmits signals in response thereto via antenna 30 and interconnection 27. These signals include data from sensor array 29 that have been processed by microprocessor 22.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10 is powered continuously from system battery pack 16, while the rest of the system is held in a un-powered state until micropower paging receiver 10 receives an activation signal via a remote, industry recognized paging signal transmitter. Upon receipt of a valid paging signal, micropower paging receiver 10 provides an activation signal to system power converter/controller 18, which in turn supplies power to the rest of radio system 33 and sensor array 29. Depending on the data sent in the paging signal, the microprocessor/system controller function 22 determines its next course of action according to its internal operational sequences (i.e. powers up its sensor array 29 and communications function 25 to perform a specific task, etc.) . Upon completion of these tasks, radio system 33 powers itself down until the next valid paging signal is received by micropower paging receiver 10.

FIG. 4 depicts a typical radio communications system application with the micropower paging receiver 10 used to control the system power utilized by radio communications device 35 (such as the LST-5 series of transceivers available from Motorola of Scottsdale AZ) and providing command and control information to the low power microprocessor/system controller function 22 embedded within radio communications device 35. Commands from paging receiver 10 are delivered to low power microprocessor 22 via interconnection 14, and low power microprocessor 22 and paging receiver 10 are powered via interconnections 12 and 20. Battery 16, power converter/controller 18, low power microprocessor 22, antenna 30, power switch 21, signal processing function 47, cryptographic function 45 and interconnections 12, 14, 20, 24, 27, 41, 42, 43, 49 and 51 collectively comprise radio communications device 35.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10 is powered continuously from system battery pack 16 via interconnection 12, which also couples power to power controller 18. Power converter/controller 18, in turn, delivers power to microprocessor/system controller 22, and power switch 21 via interconnection 20 in response to commands from micropower paging receiver 10. Commands from micropower paging receiver 10, in turn, come from radio signals received by micropower paging receiver 10 via antenna 30 coupled to micropower paging receiver 10 via interconnections 27 and 51 and T/R switch, splitter or coupler function 50. Communications function 25 is controlled via interconnection 24 by microprocessor 22 and transmits signals in response thereto via interconnection 49, T/R switch, splitter or coupler function 50, antenna 30 and interconnection 27.

Switch 21 allows cryptographic function 45, signal processing function 47 and communications function 25 to be independently and selectively powered via interconnections 41, 42 and 43, respectively, in response to commands delivered from paging receiver 10 and interpreted by low power microprocessor 22.

One of the unique features of this system is that radio communications device 35 and micropower paging receiver 10 operate over the same frequency range and hence make use of a single system antenna resource 30. In addition, since micropower paging receiver 10 responds to much lower power level radio signals than radio communications device 35 due to the lower data rate involved in the typical paging protocol (circa 10 to 20 dB better) , paging receiver 10 may be interfaced with a simple coupler 50 rather than a more complex splitter or transmit/receive switch.

In this application, micropower paging receiver 10, low power microprocessor/system controller function 22 and system power converter/controller 18 are powered continuously from the system battery pack 16. Since the micropower paging device 10 uses a negligible amount of standby power, in the range of the self discharge rate of the system battery pack 16, the useful life of the system battery pack 16 is minimally affected. System power converter/controller 18 and microprocessor/system controller function 22 are operated in a low power 'sleep' mode until micropower paging receiver 10 receives a valid activation signal via a satellite or LOS command, utilizing any number of standard industry recognized or custom paging signal protocols. The relatively high power communications function 25, signal processing function 47 (such as the RF/modem sections of the LST-5D CAP device available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) and cryptographic function 45 (such as the SABER INFOSEC module, Indictor (COMSEC) , Fortezza, Sunburst Processor, KOV 5 family of products available from Motorola of Scottsdale AZ and the 5A ASM key processor available from Motorola of Austin TX, or a hybrid coupler/signal splitter from Anzac) are held in the un- powered state by appropriate control of power switch 21. Upon receipt of a valid paging signal via system antenna 30 and Transmit/Receive (T/R) switch or signal splitting device 50 (such as the solid state T/R switch, T/R relay or part of the RF section of communications function 25) , micropower paging receiver 10 provides an activation or 'wake up' signal to microprocessor/system controller function 22, which in turn activates the rest of radio communications device 35. Depending on the data sent in the paging signal, microprocessor/system controller function 22 determines its next course of action according to its internal preprogrammed operational sequences or through instructions downloaded within the command and control paging transmission (e.g., powers up its communications function 25 through appropriate control of power switch 21 to perform a specific task etc.) . Command and control functions provided by the arrangement include (in the case of a satellite communications application) : SATCOM frequency assignment, transmitter power level, Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) link user ID, DAMA link bandwidth, voice or data mode, clear or encrypted mode and encryption keys (benign fill types) . Upon completion of the communications tasks, microprocessor/system controller function 22 and system power converter/controller 18 return to the low power 'sleep' state until the next valid paging signal is received by the micropower paging receiver 10. The command and control concepts outlined herein are applicable to a number of paging and modulation protocols, since the information is contained within the data field of the paging transmission.

A specific example of a system application is that of a UHF SATCOM (such as MILSTAR) paging function to remotely turn on and control a Survival Radio device . In such an application, the UHF SATCOM paging receiver would be used to turn on a Survival Radio with a integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver (such as portions of the Hook-112, CSEL or beacon burst transmitters 01-P0380404001, 002 or 003 available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) and start the position fix process. When a position fix was determined, the Survival Radio automatically transmits the position and time to the search and rescue entity, either via a line-of-sight or an over-the-horizon path.

Such a remotely controlled system would aid in locating a user that would otherwise be unable to respond due to injuries .

The UHF SATCOM paging receiver could also send a message to the Survival Radio user, remotely change the frequency (channel) or update encryption keys of the Survival Radio. Additional advantages to this arrangement include at least the following: (i) by transmitting the paging signal at relatively low power, the unit only turns on when the search party is nearby, avoiding having to broadcast continuously and broadcasting information that could lead the enemy to the downed or unconscious individual, in addition to avoiding sending a signal by the SAR device that may be employed for direction finding even if the enemy cannot interpret the signal; (ii) saving transmitter power; (iii) increased probability of signal capture, because the time when the distress signal should be broadcast relative to the paging signal is known and (iv) ability to change encryption keys without having to locate the receiver in which the keys are to be installed. In addition to a practical way of remotely distributing encrypted (black) keys in a communication system utilizing cryptography, the paging command and control system can also distribute time of day information for use in synchronizing elements of a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or a frequency hopping communication system. In such a system, precise time of day derived from a primary source such as an atomic standard or a secondary source such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) is distributed throughout the communications network via a 'global' command and control paging transmission, with appropriate compensation for delays due to computational and transmission latencies.

The concept described herein is applicable to any frequency range such as VHF, UHF, L band and S band, as well as other satellite communications (SATCOM) or line of sight (LOS) frequency bands.

A second example of a system application is that of a paging receiver used as the wake-up and control function for a transmit-only beacon-burst transmitter (such as the beacon burst transmitters 01-P0380404001, 002 or 003 available from Motorola SSTG of Scottsdale AZ) . The paging receiver remotely controlled beacon lends itself to such diverse applications as search and rescue, situational awareness and remote sensing and tracking. In this example, paging receiver 10 is used to turn on the transmitter-only beacon with integrated GPS receiver, start the GPS position fix process and then enable the transmitter in the beacon to broadcast at a prescribed interval . Thus, a micropower paging device controller for communications systems has been described which overcomes specific problems and accomplishes certain advantages relative to prior art methods and mechanisms . The improvements over known technology are significant. The expense, complexities and high power consumption/low battery life of prior art approaches are avoided.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and therefore such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. A method for remotely controlling a data collection station via a micropower paging device, said method comprising steps of: receiving a first paging signal by said micropower paging receiver; interpreting said first paging signal by a microprocessor coupled to said micropower paging receiver; activating a power switch coupled to said microprocessor and said micropower paging receiver, said power switch for enabling a power source; and transmitting a data signal by a transmitter coupled to said power switch, said microprocessor and said micropower paging receiver.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of powering a data collection station in response to said first paging signal.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting a data signal comprising data chosen from a set consisting of barometric pressure data, temperature data, wind speed data, wind direction data, magnetometer data, seismographic data, earth tilt data, position data, magnetic anomaly data, flux gate compass data, electronic imaging data, biomedical/physiological data and weapons system data.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a step of transmitting a data signal comprising encrypted data.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising steps of: activating a global positioning system receiver in response to said first paging signal; obtaining a position fix from said global positioning system receiver; and transmitting said position fix by said beacon-burst transmitter.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising steps of: receiving a second paging signal by said micropower paging receiver; decrypting a new black key from said second paging signal; and using said new black key to encrypt said position fix.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a step of transmitting said position fix encrypted with said new black key.

8. A method for remotely activating a transmitter, said method comprising steps of: receiving a first paging signal by a micropower paging receiver; interpreting said first paging signal by a microprocessor coupled to said micropower paging receiver; and setting a function in said transmitter, wherein said function is chosen from a group including setting modulation type between AM, FM, nP╬₧K, nFSK and nQAM setting encryption type Type I, Type II and Type III, setting operating frequencies and setting transmitter power level .

9. A method for providing a paging handoff between GSM and AMPS cellular operating systems, said method comprising steps of: receiving a first paging signal by a micropower paging receiver; interpreting said first paging signal by a microprocessor coupled to said micropower paging receiver; and setting a function in pager to include a handoff frame and command and control protocol to the existing paging signal .

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising steps of receiving and transmitting using the same transmit and receive frequencies for both paging command and control signals and for communications equipment coupled to and controlled by said micropower paging receiver.