`
`
`Petitioner’s Exhibit CSC 1001
`
`
`Petitioner’s Exhibit CSC 1001
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Wandel
`
`US006034623A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,034,623
`Mar. 7, 2000
`
`[54] AUTONOMOUS RADIO TELEMETRY
`
`[75] Inventor: Matthias Wandel, Waterloo, Canada
`
`[73] Assignee: Research In Motion Limited,
`Waterloo, Canada
`
`[21] App]' No; 08/897,346
`_
`Jul‘ 21’ 1997
`Flled:
`[22]
`[51] Int. CI.7 ................................................... .. G08C 19/16
`[52] US. Cl. .............................. .. 340/870.01; 340/870.02;
`340/87007; 379/10601; 379/106_03
`[58] Field of Search ....................... .. 340/870.01, 870.02,
`340/87007, 31001; 379/10601, 10603
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,940,976
`
`7/1990 Gastouniotis et a1. ........... .. 340/870.02
`Sainton ............. ..
`5,572,438 11/1996 Ehlers et al. .......................... .. 364/492
`
`Assistant Examiner—Timothy Edwards, Jr.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue;
`Charles E Meyer, Esq
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An improved radio modem is disclosed for use With an
`autonomous radio telemetry system. The radio modem
`includes a reprogrammable microprocessor, a radio
`transceiver, and a serial interface. By providing a softWare
`Program Within the raehe modem that eehverts the serial
`ihterfeee ihte a general purpose ihterfaee to external ihput/
`output devices, and by providing additional programmed
`decision making Capability into the radio modem, he eXter
`nal telemetry computer is required to interface With the
`input/output devices, and the radio modem operates as a
`combination telemetry computer and radio device. The radio
`modern also includes a novel reprograrnmable state machine
`architecture for communicating With the Input/output
`devices, and for deciding What actions to take based on the
`Status of the external devices'
`
`Primary Examiner—Michael Horabik
`
`4 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`8 BITS PEEBBACKS. TRIGGERS.
`ANB OUTPUTS (LINK BYTE)
`818 7
`1
`
`l
`
`STATE
`MACHINE
`0
`
`2204
`
`l
`
`STATE
`MACHINE
`l
`
`2206
`
`'
`
`4 BITS
`, OUTPUT
`OUTPUT 0.
`
`OUITJGJTT 3
`
`STATE
`MACHINE
`2
`
`2208
`
`AUXILIARY STATE MACHINE
`COMMAND PACKETS
`
`8 BITS TRIGGERS AND INPUTS
`t
`l
`
`TRIGGER
`EXTRAUOR
`
`AUXILIARY
`STATE
`MACHINE
`
`2028
`
`4INBPIUTTS
`INPUT 0-
`
`INPUT 3
`[90]
`
`12C BUS<—
`a
`I C DATA
`
`2005
`
`210
`7
`13C INPUT
`SYSTEM
`
`2
`I C C0NNANB
`PACKET
`
`2 FEEDBACK FLAGS ,
`
`L06 STRUCTURE
`I3012C D
`MMAN
`PACKETS
`
`§2l4
`TNCONING
`PACKET
`
`LOG ENTRY TRIGGER BIT ,
`216
`
`OUT
`[90 ,
`
`213)
`
`T
`P
`3 R P
`t C E LY ACKE S
`
`RECEIvEB
`PACKETS
`
`J‘
`PACKET NITH
`LOG ENTRIES
`
`?
`62/80
`
`92
`
`T0 NETwoRK
`
`RADIO
`
`V 88
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7,2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f6
`
`6,034,623
`
`INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES
`
`g
`
`Q
`
`V
`
`I
`
`
`M S \ MODEM COMMANDS
`Q4
`
`10
`
`2/ MICROPROCESSOR
`
`INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES
`
`302’
`
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`MASCS
`
`0R AT
`
`RAM
`
`34
`ROM 3
`
`INPUT/OUTPUT
`DEVICES
`
`7_0
`
`RADIO MODEM
`
`ART
`
`F264
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 0f 6
`
`6,034,623
`
`i m I I m
`
`E8: 055 m 52 8% m
`
`r ...................... :w .... 3.1!; ......................
`
`5 $ 5
`in 5 ,0
`
`
`
`
`m 55%; 5555 55mm m
`
`
`
`SEED 51502315
`
`. _ M -| - w ml m 2 55 5:2 52: Z0 25:
`
`Ml S m 2 m
`
`5 Q5; 5&53565 w 5 w
`8 W E d5 M .A 53-25 525.20 25E 2::
`
`
`
`
`mwK om.\ m llo cmmzzs mEm
`
`
`
`
`:2 I2: ..m%... 51 {ml :5 $5 51505 5%: a“
`
`8555? \ ' 0 m .| H 55: m5”
`
`5 5 l|m _ 5550 EM
`
`5:155 m < m
`
`I
`l
`I
`l
`
`I
`l
`l
`l
`l
`I
`I
`l
`l
`
`I
`l
`I
`I
`I
`I
`l
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`l
`l
`l
`I
`l
`I
`
`l
`I
`l
`l
`l
`l
`I
`l
`l
`
`I
`I
`l
`I
`l
`l
`l
`l
`l
`
`l
`l
`I
`l
`|
`I
`l
`I
`l
`.l
`
`55mm m ||m o 5%: é 5:52
`.q 50 535 “is 5155 z :53
`
`
`
`m .d 528% 528%.“
`
`5 -| m 5% 15m
`
`
`
`m || 2255 5:555 23
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`h43r.7,2000
`
`Sheet3 0f6
`
`6,034,623
`
`mHHmv
`
`Hzmhzo
`
`-oHambzo
`
`mhampzo
`
`Aomu
`
`om\m©
`
`m_
`
`mz_:u<z
`
`vow
`
`
`
`
`
`quIu<zmh<~m>z<HJHXD<
`
`uz_=u<=mz_zu<zMH<HWHome
`
`
`m_<Hmmh<bm>x<H4Hx2<«moonhmHDQZH
`
`
`
`
`
`mohu<mpxm
`
`
`
`
`
`.mmWQQHmH.mxu<mommmthmm
`
`m_m
`
`
`
`Aup>mszJ.mhzmhpooz<
`
`
`
`m_:¢z_az<mmmome_m_HmwMmp_mq
`
`hamzH
`
`-oPsmz_
`
`
`
`
`
`h_mmmmw_xp>mh2m904uzDHQDmHm094zuhm>m
`
`
`mo<ggxu<mouummmhmxu<moz<zzou
`
`
`
`hamzHQNH
`
`
`
`um_
`
`
`_mxu<m_m¥u<m
`
`
`oszoquMpwnmmmoz<zzouum_<H<aumH
`
`
`
`
`
`mu_xbzmmoomhuxu<m
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IHH=HU¥Q<¢Du>_uowmmfim.omw
`
`hso
`
`mm
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - EX. CSC 1001, p. 4
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`h43r.7,2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f 6
`
`6,034,623
`
`
`
`
`
`Hmwumwk“2“mzH<zmmaz<mzupzuquIu<zmh<hmuzh.hm:zuumm<=zohp_ozouhumumm_qu:u<z“IF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`,9.3
`
`
`
`.5:$029..oz220:3on.EmmiH.__.:422:HEM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`zo_h_azoo
`3832
`
`
`
`
`
`.mZOHHHHmmumnomumzzzouHLHQM¢mm1»m<44m:m<.Hmz2mmmm<IonF_:zouzo_H<oomommm_UH<HmHIP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.ouxumzu>4mh<Houzz_m_zofih_ozoozo_H<oomommwh<Fmhxmzmzpaz<.smmmHzmm_wh<pmthzHIP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2H5._.ozm<_._EDSzoCCmmE8529mmMT:5m.5:2mmmm<=29:529..zo:<uon_o~_n_m_m:<_mMT:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2mmfizsouzoCCEmzm=.:Sm.zozéu:25mo;whimu=<mm=.:.2—mzZzumquzu<zwhimm=.:.Ez
`
`.oupzmzuzuz_
`
`<
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - EX. CSC 1001, p. 5
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 0f 6
`
`6,034,623
`
`START STATE MACHINE
`ITERATION PROCESSING
`1 1O /
`
`l 14
`
`NO
`
`1 l2
`
`RESET
`CONDITION AND
`REPEAT COUNT
`MET ?
`
`1 l6
`/'
`
`SET STATE - O
`
`I
`
`120
`
`|
`
`$118
`
`SET STATE - RESET
`
`124 /
`INCREMENT
`REPEAT COUNT
`
`STATE - STATE + l
`MODULO NUMBER
`OF STATES
`
`IS STATE
`EQUAL TO STATE
`
`YES
`
`‘
`ISETBERRGR FLAG
`N
`ATING STATE
`MACHINE IN _’
`INFINITE LOOP
`
`I30)
`
`N0
`
`IS STATE
`SAME AS AT TART
`0F lTERATIoN
`
`'
`
`138
`
`,
`
`F19. 7
`
`MARKED 'P'
`
`YES
`g AS HIGH
`134 ‘_>
`I
`SET OUTPUT LEVEL
`136 7/ MARKED ' l ' OR ID ' IN
`STATE CONDITION OF
`CURRENT STATE
`
`138
`
`DONE PROCESSING
`ONE STATE MACHINE
`FOR ONE ITERATION
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 0f 6
`
`6,034,623
`
`120 COMMAND
`PROCESSING
`
`142
`
`IS BIT l5
`SET ?
`
`RECEIVE
`COMMAND
`
`14s
`N0
`
`5144
`
`SEND
`COMMAND
`
`RECEIVIE BYTE
`ON 126 BUS ,2 I48
`
`B
`OVALléE IN
`ITS -7 UT ON
`150 / 12C BUS
`
`IS BIT 113
`SET ?
`
`A
`
`168
`
`IS BIT l2
`SET?
`
`SEND 12c
`NACK '2 166
`
`SEND 120
`164 5- ACK
`I
`
`I
`
`ENOM
`
`BYTES RECEIVED
`?
`
`I
`DONE PROCESSING
`coma/m0 woRn
`
`‘70
`
`F l
`
`8
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 7
`
`

`

`1
`AUTONOMOUS RADIO TELEMETRY
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed toward the ?eld of radio
`telemetry. In particular, an improved radio modem is dis
`closed for use in an autonomous radio telemetry system, the
`radio modem including a programmed mode of operation
`that converts the general purpose radio modem into a special
`purpose radio telemetry computer system, thereby eliminat
`ing the need for a separate telemetry computer as taught by
`the prior art.
`In a telemetry system analog or digital metering data, such
`as an analog measurement of a process variable, or the
`digital state of a sWitch, is captured at a remote location by
`a telemetry computer and is then transmitted to a central
`computer facility via a telecommunication device. In radio
`telemetry the telecommunication device is a radio modem
`that transmits the metering data betWeen the telemetry
`computer and the central computer facility via radio fre
`quency Waves, thus eliminating the need for land-line
`Wiring, such as a telephone line.
`Applications for telemetry systems range from simple
`sWitch actuation and monitoring systems to complex process
`line computers. For example, the folloWing systems could be
`
`implemented With an autonomous telemetry system: monitoring a door sWitch and sending a signal When the door
`
`is opened; (ii) counting the number of items put into a drop
`box, by noting the number of times the drop box door is
`opened, and periodically reporting the number of items in
`the box; (iii) acquiring and recording the temperature and
`current draW of a motor and transmitting recently recorded
`data When the temperature of the motor exceeds a predeter
`mined level; or (iv) remotely turning on/off lights, or an
`alarm system; etc. The applications of such telemetry sys
`tems are numerous, and the previous examples are merely
`presented to assist in understanding the broad scope of the
`possible applications for such telemetry systems.
`Prior art radio telemetry systems include a separate telem
`etry computer and radio modem at a remote location for
`capturing and transmitting data to the central computer
`facility. Implementors of these types of systems incorporate
`an embedded programmed microprocessor as the telemetry
`computer, and interface the telemetry computer to input/
`output devices such as a complex analog to digital converter
`board, or a simple sWitch. The telemetry computer is also
`connected to the radio modem, generally via a serial inter
`face. The telemetry computer controls and monitors the
`interface to the input/output devices and communicates With
`the central computer system using the radio modem. In these
`types of prior art telemetry systems, the radio modem is
`simply a module in the overall remote telemetry sub-system
`that is required for communication purposes.
`These previous telemetry systems suffer from a number of
`disadvantages, particularly When the telemetry system is
`used in a relatively simple application, such as the moni
`toring of a sWitch, or the acquisition of a single process
`variable. The disadvantages of these prior art systems
`include high cost, high poWer consumption, large physical
`siZe, and complex integration.
`These disadvantages arise because the previous telemetry
`systems do not appreciate or utiliZe the poWer of the
`microprocessor or microcontroller that is built into present
`day radio modems. Instead, these systems use the radio
`device solely for communication, and employ a separate
`embedded microprocessor, the telemetry computer, as the
`interface to the input/output devices. These systems Waste
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`6,034,623
`
`2
`the processing poWer available in the radio modem and
`therefore result in increased cost, poWer, and siZe of the
`telemetry device.
`Therefore, there remains a need for a simple, loW cost,
`small, and easy to integrate telemetry device for use in an
`autonomous radio telemetry system. There remains a further
`need for such a telemetry device that does not Waste the
`processing poWer inherent in the radio modem, but instead
`is con?gured to maximiZe the processing poWer of the
`microprocessor contained in the radio.
`In addition, there remains a need for an autonomous
`telemetry system that includes at least one of the above
`mentioned telemetry devices in communication With a cen
`tral computer system that is capable of sending commands
`to the telemetry devices, and receiving data transmissions
`from the telemetry devices indicating the state of input/
`output devices at the remote location.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes the problems noted
`above and satis?es the needs in this ?eld for a loW cost, loW
`poWer, simple, easy to integrate telemetry device for use in
`a Wireless telemetry system. According to the present
`invention, a telemetry device is provided that includes a
`radio modem having a programmable microprocessor,
`Wherein the radio has been con?gured to operate in a mode
`Which converts the general purpose radio device into a
`special purpose radio telemetry computer. By recogniZing
`that much of the processing poWer of the radio modem is
`Wasted in prior art telemetry systems, and by programming
`the radio modem such that it takes the place of the prior art
`telemetry computer, the present invention provides a solu
`tion to the problems associated With the prior art systems.
`The present invention provides a telemetry device that
`includes a radio modem having an internal microprocessor,
`reprogrammable telemetry program storage, a radio
`transceiver, and a serial interface. In the present invention,
`the serial interface, Which is normally used to communicate
`With another computer system, is recon?gured by the micro
`processor operating the telemetry program to be a general
`input/output interface for connecting input/output devices
`(eg sWitches, TTL logic, 12C bus devices) directly to the
`radio modem. By connecting the input/output devices
`directly to the modem, the present invention provides a
`telemetry device Which does not require a separate telemetry
`computer. The internal radio modem microprocessor takes
`the place of the telemetry computer, performing data
`acquisition, I/O control, as Well as its prior function of
`controlling data transmission over the radio modem trans
`ceiver. Thus, the present invention provides a neW telemetry
`device Which is smaller, loWer cost, consumes less poWer,
`and is easier to integrate than the previous telemetry devices.
`In addition to recon?guring the serial port to interface
`With the input/output devices, the present invention includes
`the provision of a novel reprogrammable state machine
`architecture Within the radio modem that provides ?exible
`operation and programmability of the device. This state
`machine architecture, including a number of separately
`programmable state machines, is constructed in softWare,
`but could, be incorporated preferably in hardWare.
`The programmable state machines are used as decision
`making apparatuses for the telemetry device. These state
`machines can be reprogrammed or debugged remotely from
`the central computer system since the radio modem includes
`a reprogrammable memory. Thus, the operation of the
`remote telemetry device can be altered or tested Without
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 8
`
`

`

`3
`having to remove the device from a remote location or
`Without having to send a technician to the remote site. This
`aspect of the invention is particularly advantageous Where
`the telemetry device is located in a haZardous area.
`There are many advantages of the present invention. First,
`by recogniZing and utiliZing the inherent processing poWer
`of the radio device, the present invention provides a simple,
`loW poWer telemetry device that can be easily integrated
`With eXisting systems, and eXisting input/output devices.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that by
`eliminating the need for a separate telemetry computer, the
`total cost of the system is reduced since there are feWer
`components, smaller development costs, and less time
`required to con?gure and program the system.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that it
`provides for a number of softWare state machines pro
`grammed into the radio modem, the state machines being
`easily and ?exibly reprogrammed in order to meet a variety
`of needs for radio telemetry. These state machines provide
`an ef?cient, yet simple, decision-making architecture for the
`radio modem.
`Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the
`radio modem telemetry program is recon?gurable from a
`remote location over the radio interface. This provides for
`remote alteration, testing, and debugging of the state
`machines Without having to either remove the telemetry
`device or send a technician to the remote location. In
`addition, passWord protection is provided so that only autho
`riZed personnel can change the operation of the telemetry
`device.
`As Will be appreciated, the invention is capable of other
`and different embodiments, and its several details are
`capable of modi?cations in various respect, all Without
`departing from the invention. Accordingly, the draWings and
`description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded
`as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The above advantages Will become apparent from the
`folloWing description When read in conjunction With the
`accompanying draWings Wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art telemetry system
`using a telephone modem;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a prior art radio telemetry
`system;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an autonomous radio
`telemetry system according to the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is an expanded block diagram of the autonomous
`radio telemetry system according to the present invention
`shoWing the basic elements of the radio modem and the
`remapping of the serial port taught by the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the state machine architecture
`programmed into the radio modem of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is an eXample state diagram setting forth the
`propagation conditions for one of the state machines of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a How chart of the state machine updating
`algorithm; and
`FIG. 8 is a How chart of the 12C command interpreter
`algorithm.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring noW to the draWings, FIG. 1 and 2 set forth prior
`art telemetry systems. FIG. 1 shoWs the traditional con?gu
`
`65
`
`6,034,623
`
`4
`ration of a prior art telemetry device, including separate
`modem 24 and telemetry computer 10, the telemetry com
`puter 10 including RAM 12 and ROM 14, the RAM 12 being
`used for program operation and general purpose memory,
`and the ROM 14 being used for program storage. Input/
`Output devices 16, 18, and 20 are connected to the telemetry
`computer 10, Which controls and manipulates the I/O
`devices, and transmits information via modem 24 over a
`standard phone connection 26 to a central computer system
`(not shoWn). The connection betWeen the telemetry com
`puter 10 and modem 24 is typically a serial port connection,
`such as a standard RS-232 connection, and the protocol used
`is generally the AT-modem protocol that is standard With
`most general purpose telephone modems.
`FIG. 2 sets forth a prior art radio telemetry system,
`including the same elements as FIG. 1, including separate
`telemetry computer 30 and telecommunications device
`(radio modem) 44, RAM 32 and ROM 34 for use by the
`telemetry computer, several input/output devices 36, 38, and
`40, and a central computer system 50 for communication
`and control of the telemetry device. HoWever, FIG. 2 is a
`radio telemetry system, not a land-line system, so the
`telephone connection from FIG. 1 is replaced With a radio
`connection using a radio modem 44 (including an antenna
`46). Central computer system 50 also includes a radio
`modem (not shoWn) With an antenna 48 for receiving and
`transmitting information to associated radio telemetry
`devices associated With the central computer system.
`The present invention is applicable to any kind of radio
`modem and any type of radio frequency data netWork,
`hoWever for the purpose of setting forth a preferred embodi
`ment of the invention, the remaining draWings and detailed
`description Will refer to a speci?c radio netWork, the Mobi
`teX netWork, and a particular radio modem, the RIM 900
`MobiteX radio modem, manufactured by Research In
`Motion, 295 Phillip Street, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
`There are many types of radio netWorks currently in
`Widespread use, such as Ardis, MobiteX, GSM, SMR, PCS,
`analog cellular, CDPD, etc, and each of these netWorks has
`associated types of radio modems that are used to transmit
`and receive data over the netWork. For eXample, for the
`MobiteX netWork, Ericsson, Motorola and Research In
`Motion manufacture radio modems. Any of these devices
`could be used in conjunction With the present invention.
`The MobiteX netWork is a packetiZed RF data netWork
`that Was developed by Eritel/Ericsson in 1984 in SWeden,
`and has become an international data communication stan
`dard. The MobiteX netWork Was ?rst established in North
`America in 1989 and is noW available in most major
`metropolitan areas throughout Canada and the United States.
`The MobiteX packet-switched netWork provides highly reli
`able tWo-Way digital data transmission, including error
`detection and correction to ensure the integrity of the data
`being sent and received.
`In contrast to analog circuit sWitched systems, a packet
`sWitched netWork, such as MobiteX, breaks the data into
`pieces called “packets”. In MobiteX each individual packet
`is called an MPAK. Each MPAK includes 512 bytes of
`information, a time stamp, and the netWork address of the
`sender and receiver of the packet. In this Way, each MobiteX
`packet can be successfully routed or returned to the correct
`netWork user.
`The MobiteX netWork conforms to the International Orga
`niZation for StandardiZation (ISO) model for data
`communications, termed the Open Systems Interconnection
`(OSI) model. The OSI model is an open architecture that
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 9
`
`

`

`10
`
`25
`
`35
`
`5
`divides data communication into several layers, each of
`Which builds upon and masks the complexity of the layers
`beloW it. The seven layers of the OSI model are, from loWest
`to highest: physical layer, data-link-layer, netWork layer,
`transport layer, session layer, presentation layer, and appli
`cation layer. The three layers actually involved in moving
`data from one computer to another are the data-link layer,
`the netWork layer, and the transport layer.
`In Mobitex, the data-link layer includes the MASC and
`ROSI protocols. The MASC protocol (Mobitex Asynchro
`nous Protocol) provides the machine interface that alloWs
`packets to be transferred over the data link created by
`Mobitex. The ROSI protocol (Radio Open System Interface)
`is used by the radio unit to communicate With the base
`station. The netWork layer in Mobitex is the MPAK
`15
`described above, and the transport layer uses MTP/1
`(Mobitex Transport Protocol 1), Which is a tested and
`standardiZed transport protocol that ensures data packets are
`transmitted over Mobitex in order, and Without loss of data
`integrity.
`Referring back to FIG. 2, the prior art radio telemetry
`system is shoWn, including separate radio modem 44 and
`telemetry computer 30. Radio Modem 44 could be, for
`example, a RIM 900 MASC radio modem, or could be an
`Ericsson Mobidem-AT. Depending on the type of modem,
`serial interface 42 Will be transferring either AT-type com
`mands (Mobidem-AT) or MASC commands (RIM 900). In
`both cases, as is the case for the prior art system of FIG. 1,
`the telecommunications device, modem or radio modem, is
`only performing data communications functions. All inter
`facing and control of the input/output devices 36—40 is
`carried out by the telemetry computer 30 operating the
`program stored in ROM 34. This is the primary disadvantage
`of such prior art telemetry systems.
`FIG. 3 sets forth a basic block diagram of an autonomous
`radio telemetry system according to the present invention.
`By recogniZing that modern radio modems, such as the RIM
`900, include poWerful microprocessors or microcontrollers
`that are mostly idle during periods of time Where no data
`transmission is occurring, the present invention solves the
`problems of the prior art telemetry systems by providing a
`loW cost, loW poWer, and easy to integrate telemetry device.
`In FIG. 3, radio modem 60 includes antenna 64 and a
`stored autonomous radio telemetry (ART) program that
`converts the otherWise general purpose radio modem into a
`special purpose radio telemetry device. By providing the
`radio modem 60 With special computer programming
`(ART), the telemetry computer 30 of the prior art systems
`can be discarded and the input/output devices 66, 68, 70 can
`be interfaced directly to the radio modem 60. As Will be
`described in more detail beloW, the ART program recon?g
`ures the serial port of the radio modem from a standard
`Mobitex MASC protocol to a general purpose input/output
`system that supports TTL logic, simple sWitches, and an IZC
`bus. The ART program also includes a novel reprogram
`mable state machine architecture that is used for decision
`making by the telemetry device. In this manner, the radio
`modem becomes a more poWerful special purpose telemetry
`device that includes most of the functionality and ?exibility
`of the prior art system of FIG. 2 at a fraction of the cost,
`poWer, siZe and complexity.
`FIG. 4 sets forth a more detailed block diagram of an
`autonomous radio telemetry system using the ART radio
`modem of the present invention. Radio modem 60 includes
`antenna 92, radio interface 88 including modulation and
`demodulation circuitry, microprocessor 80, serial interface
`
`65
`
`45
`
`55
`
`6,034,623
`
`6
`90, RAM 82, and Flash EPROM 86. The radio modem
`receives Mobitex data in the form of MPAKs from the
`central computer 74 via an associated antenna 72. LikeWise,
`the radio modem can transmit MPAK data to the central
`computer system 74 using antenna 92.
`The radio interface and modulation demodulation cir
`cuitry 88 includes standard radio components, such as
`mixers, doWnconverters, limiting ?lters, discrimination
`circuitry, modulation circuitry, analog to digital and digital
`to analog converters, etc. This circuitry is used to receive an
`RF signal from the Mobitex netWork, reduce the signal to a
`demodulation frequency, demodulate baseband information
`from the signal, and then to convert the analog signal into a
`digital representation. LikeWise, this circuitry takes a digital
`signal from the microprocessor converts the signal to an
`analog representation, modulates the baseband information
`With a carrier signal and upconverts to a RF signal for
`transmission.
`Microprocessor 80 is preferably an Intel 80C188
`microprocessor, but could alternatively be any other type of
`microprocessor or microcontroller. As described above, the
`microprocessor builds data MPAKs for transmission via
`radio 88 over the Mobitex netWork, and receives MPAKs
`from the radio interface 88 and can take action based on this
`received data. The microprocessor is connected to RAM 82,
`Which is used as in the prior art for program operation and
`general purpose memory storage, and Flash ROM 86. The
`Flash ROM 86 is could be a Flash EPROM, EEPROM,
`PAROM, or any other type of reprogrammable permanent
`memory device.
`Stored Within the Flash ROM 86 is the program(s) that
`control the operation of the radio modem, including the
`radio modem control code, the standard MASC protocol
`program and the ART program that forms a part of the
`present invention. These latter tWo programs provide for tWo
`different modes of operation of the radio modem 60. When
`operating in the MASC mode, the radio modem operates like
`other standard Mobitex radio devices, With the serial port 90
`being con?gured to connect to another computer system that
`communicates to the radio modem 60 using the MASC
`protocol. The second mode of operation, Which Will be
`described in more detail beloW, is the autonomous radio
`telemetry or ART mode. ART takes the place of the MASC
`data-link layer (i.e. can send, receive and interpret the
`MPAKs), remaps the radio modem serial port 90 to interface
`to the input/output devices 94, 96, 98 and provides the
`softWare state machine architecture for controlling the deci
`sions of the microprocessor 80.
`Microprocessor 80 is also connected to serial interface 90,
`Which is preferably an RS-232 interface, but could be any
`other type of serial, parallel, or other data communication
`interface. The 14-pin RS-232 standard interface is mapped
`for the tWo modes of operation, MASC, and ART, as shoWn
`in FIG. 4. As seen in the table next to the pins of the serial
`port, When the radio modem is operating in MASC mode,
`the serial port is con?gured to transmit and receive serial
`data With another computer system that is using the radio
`modem simply as a communication element. But, When the
`radio is sWitched into ART mode, the ART program causes
`the microprocessor 80 to remap the serial port so that there
`are four general purpose TTL inputs, labelled Input 0—Input
`3, four outputs, labelled Output 0—Output 3, and an IZC data
`bus, With associated clock and data lines.
`The architecture of the ART program Will be described in
`more detail beloW, but as can be appreciated from FIG. 4, by
`taking advantage of the inherent processing poWer of the
`
`Petitioner Cypress Semiconductor Corp. - Ex. CSC 1001, p. 10
`
`

`

`6,034,623
`
`7
`radio modem 60 and by providing the additional intelligence
`(ART) necessary to convert the radio from a general purpose
`communications device into a special purpose telemetry
`computer, an improved telemetry device and system can be
`constructed Which eliminates the need for a separate telem
`etry computer, and thereby provides a loWer cost, loWer
`poWer, easier to integrate radio telemetry system.
`Having described the broad concept of the autonomous
`radio telemetry system of the present invention, attention is
`noW turned to the decision-making architecture of the
`improved radio modem operating the ART telemetry pro
`gram. It is to be understood that the folloWing detailed
`description of the ART system architecture is but one
`embodiment of a system design that can be used With the
`present invention, and that many other designs could alter
`natively be implemented Without departing from the spirit or
`scope of the invention.
`FIG. 5 sets forth a block diagram of radio modem 60
`con?gured to operate the ART architecture stored in Flash
`ROM 86. FIG. 5 includes the same elements as FIG. 4,
`except that the microprocessor 80 and ART program stored
`in Flash ROM 62 are replaced With the system architecture
`diagram 200—216. Also, the serial interface 90 is broken into
`logical pieces: inputs, outputs, and the 12C bus.
`The ART architecture includes three programmable state
`machines 204, 206, 208, that can each traverse through a
`limited predetermined number of states. These state
`machines (204, 206, 208) are termed the “intrinsic” state
`machines, because their state structure, including the num
`ber of states they can traverse through, is predetermined.
`HoWever, as is described in more detail beloW, these
`machines are highly con?gurable, resulting in a very ?exible
`design. ART also includes an auxiliary recon?gurable state
`machine 202, that is more ?exible than the three intrinsic
`state machines 204—208, the auxiliary state machine being
`capable of traversing through a much larger number of states
`than the intrinsic machines.
`Astate machine is a programmed decision-making engine
`that, at any given time, is in one of several possible states,
`and that receives input information in the form of a binary
`input Word, and generates output information in the form of
`a binary output Word. Each state has a speci?c logical
`meaning that corresponds to a speci?c output Word, Which
`may, in turn, cause certain programmed actions to take
`place. To advance from one state to the next, the propagation
`condition, Which is simply a logical test of the input Word
`associated With the state machine, must be met. If the
`propagation condition is met, then the state machine propa
`gates to the next state, or, if the reset condition is met or
`detected the state machine may return to the reset state.
`The ART system preferably includes three prepro
`grammed or intrinsic state machines and one auxiliary state
`machine. The three intrinsic machines are used for simple
`decision making operations and include three possible
`decision-making states, and a reset state. The auxiliary state
`machine is more ?exible in that it includes up to 25 states,
`in the preferred embodiment, and can be separately recon
`?gured and programmed remotely from the central computer
`system.
`Each state machine receives an input Word (de?ned
`further beloW), that is used by the state machine updating
`algorithm to check Whether the machines propagation con
`dition has been met. Each state machine also includes a
`repetition counter that is used to count the number of times
`a certain propagation condition has been met. The state
`machines react to the input Word, repetition counter and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`propagation condition test by generating the output Word
`that causes certain action to take place, such as controlling
`an output device, generating a log event packet, or causing
`an MPAK to be transmitted to the central facility.
`In addition to the state machines, ART includes an 12C bus
`subsystem comprising an input system 210, command
`packet handler 212, and trigger extractor 200. Other ele
`ments of the ART architecture include an Event Log 216,
`Where log entries can be stored, indicating that a cer