`
`111111111111111111111111111110R11119111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Tanenhaus et al.
`
`(to) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,469,639 B2
`Oct. 22, 2002
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW
`POWER, MICRO-ELECTRONIC
`MECHANICAL SENSING AND PROCESSING
`
`JP
`WO
`
`09093207
`W098/00932
`
`4/1997
`8/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Martin Tanenhaus, Orlando, FL (US);
`Robert McDowell, Orlando, FL (US);
`Tom Nelson, Orlando, FL (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: System Excelerator, Inc., Orlando, FL
`(US)
`
`* )
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/897,748
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 2, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0011937 Al Jan. 31, 2002
`
`(62)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Division of application No. 09/080,038, filed on May 15,
`1998, now Pat. No. 6,255,962.
`
` GO8B 21/00
`Int. C1.7
` 340/870.16; 340/870.07;
`U.S. Cl.
`340/539; 340/690; 73/786; 73/577; 702/14;
`702/16; 52/1
` 340/870.11, 870.07,
`Field of Search
`340/870.16, 870.39, 539, 690; 73/597, 803,
`786, 577; 702/16, 14, 41; 52/1
`
`References Cited
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`Dong, Michael J. et al, Low Power Signal Processing
`Architecture for Network Microsensor ISLPED97, Interna-
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`Jan. 1998.*
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—Michael Horabik
`Assistant Examiner Albert K. Wong
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Allen, Dyer, Dopelt,
`Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and apparatus for low-power sensing and pro-
`cessing are provided. A method preferably includes collect-
`ing a plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensors
`include sensed data representative of at least shock and
`vibration. The method also includes converting the plurality
`of sensor signals into digital data, processing the digital data,
`generating a data communications protocol for communi-
`cating the digital data, and simultaneously and remotely
`detecting the generated communications protocol having the
`processed data to determined the occurrence of at least one
`predetermined condition. An apparatus preferably includes a
`low-power, data acquisition processing circuit responsive to
`a plurality of sensor signals representative of at least shock
`and vibration for acquiring and processing the sensed data.
`The data acquisition processing circuit preferably includes a
`plurality of data inputs, an analog-to-digital converter
`responsive to the plurality of data inputs for converting each
`of the plurality of sensor signals from an analog format to a
`digital format, a digital signal processor responsive to the
`analog-to-digital converter for processing the digitally for-
`matted data, a data communications processor responsive to
`said digital signal processor for generating and processing
`data communications, a battery, and a power management
`controller at least connected to the battery, the digital signal
`processor, and the data communications processor for con-
`trolling power management of the data acquisition process-
`ing circuit.
`
`JP
`JP
`
`62064804
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`
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`
`40 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`d6
`
`67?
`
`6R,P
`GONTROLLE
`
`mo-expAce
`0/e/ TAG
`PONAZ
`RROCE1,10/2
`
`C62
`
`/MACE
`awrgazze"---
`
`CHARGE
`cou/Leo
`PE 1//CE
`
`WARE -OR
`SEWJ'ae
`7:4
`
`,r.EA, <POR
`(Mfilift)
`
`RATA
`/44.91/TV
`
`2.5
`
`.2/
`
`.1EN.POR
`ofenix)
`
`MAJOR
`
`o--
`ye--
`
`A/0
`CONYERTER
`CO
`
`0/G/TAZ
`Vatt/AL
`RR OCEJWOR
`
`J'EN,POR
`
`—MA/0 Z1
`
` zV
`
`eTRA7A1
`OAU6E
`ORMHSO
`
`4/0
`CGA/P,ERTER
`7.2-)
`4/-
`
`BATTERY
`PACK
`
`MEMORY
`CiRCO/7"
`eA/R. /1G,ft
`CONTROLLER
`?3,5
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`CalTROZZER
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`1
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`277
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`COMPUTER
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`REMOTE
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`RATA
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`z o,,,,,,,,ARm.„70r/s.e6rersima ebeceqr
`
` \-410
`
`
`
`US 6,469,639 B2
`US 6,469,639 B2
`Page 2
`Page 2
`
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`Lin, Tsung Hsien et al, wireless Integrated Network Sensor
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`for Tactical Information systems, Rockwell Science Center.
`for Tactical Information systems, Rockwell Science Center.
`Jan. 1998. 本
`Jan. 1998.*
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`Power Electronics and Design, Aug. 12 14 1996. 本
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`Bult, K et al, Wireless Integratd Microsensors, Hilton Head
`Transducer Conference, Jun. 1996. 本
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`
`本 cited by examiner
`* cited by examiner
`
`HTC v. Uniloc
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`HTC Ex. 1008
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
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`HTC v. Uniloc
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`Page 9 of 16
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`HTC Ex. 1008
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`
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`US 6,469,639 B2
`US 6,469,639 B2
`
`1
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LO矶「
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW
`PO矶TER, MICRO-ELECTRONIC
`POWER, MICRO-ELECTRONIC
`MECHANICAL SENSING AND PROCESSING
`MECHANICAL SENSING AND PROCESSING
`
`甲’
`4 』
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`APPLICATION
`
`2
`2
`consumption. The present invention also provides a method
`and apparatus for reducing inspection costs and also creates
`new monitoring capabilities not possible or not available for
`various types of systems. The present invention additionally
`5 advantageously provides a method and apparatus for making
`rapid, reliable, and timely readiness measurements of abroad
`range of systems desired to be monitored such as missiles,
`missile launchers, missile support systems, highway bridges,
`operating machinery, transportation, or telemetry systems.
`10 The present invention further advantageously increases
`reliability, readiness, flexibility, and safety and greatly
`reduces maintenance time, labor, and cost for monitoring
`various types of systems. For example, the apparatus advan-
`tageously can readily be expanded for additional types of
`15 sensors which may be desired on various selected applica-
`tions.
`More particularly, the present invention provides a
`M
`method of monitoring a device comprising the steps of
`collecting a plurality of sensor signals representative of
`20 sensed data from a plurality of micro-electrical mechanical
`sensors ("MEMS"). The plurality of micro-electrical
`mechanical sensors generate sensed data representative of at
`least shock, vibration, and at least one other parameter. The
`method also includes converting the plurality of sensor
`25 signals into digital data, processing the digital data, and
`simultaneously and remotely detecting the processed data to
`determined the occurrence of at least one predetermined
`condition. The method can also include sensing an initial
`wake-up condition prior to the step of collecting the plurality
`30 of sensor signals.
`The present invention also includes an apparatus for
`monitoring a device. The apparatus preferably includes a
`plurality of micro-electrical mechanical sensors positioned
`to sense a plurality of parameters including at least shock,
`35 vibration, and at least one other parameter and to provide a
`corresponding plurality of sensor data signals representative
`of the plurality of monitored parameters. The apparatus
`additionally preferably includes a low-power, data acquisi-
`tion processing circuit responsive to the plurality of sensor
`40 signals for acquiring and processing the sensed data. The
`low-power, data acquisition processing circuit includes a
`plurality of data inputs, an analog-to-digital converter
`responsive to the plurality of data inputs for converting each
`of the plurality of sensor signals from an analog format to a
`45 digital format, a digital signal processor responsive to the
`analog-to-digital converter for processing the digitally for-
`matted data, a data communications processor responsive to
`the digital signal processor for generating and processing
`data communications, a battery for providing portable power
`so to the data acquisition processing circuit, and power man-
`agement controlling means at least connected to the battery,
`the digital signal processor, and the data communications
`processor for controlling power management of the data
`acquisition processing circuit. The apparatus advanta-
`55 geously further includes a remote detector responsive to the
`data acquisition processing circuit for remotely detecting the
`processed digital data. The apparatus also can advanta-
`geously include at least one wake-up sensor circuit con-
`nected to the low-power, data acquisition processing circuit
`60 for sensing an initial wake-up condition to thereby wake-up
`the low-power, data acquisition processing circuit from a
`sleep-type low power condition.
`The present invention further provides an apparatus for
`low-power, data acquisition processing responsive to a plu-
`65 rality of micro-electrical mechanical sensors. The apparatus
`preferably includes a plurality of data inputs, an analog-to-
`digital converter responsive to the plurality of data inputs for
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`
`Generally, it is known to individually monitor selected
`environmental conditions or parameters such as shock,
`temperature, and humidity. It is also known to individually
`monitor various system conditions or parameters such as
`vibration, strain, and tilt. The monitoring of such parameters
`is accomplished utilizing dedicated separate autonomous
`monitoring devices. These individual environmental and
`system monitors provide an indication of the level of such
`parameters to which a system is exposed. The use of these
`dedicated and separate monitoring devices often requires
`that separate power sources, sensors, data recorders, and
`data processors be provided for each device. Accordingly,
`considerable redundancy exists in the hardware required for
`such monitoring, and these separate monitors require indi-
`vidual installation, maintenance, and reading. The use of
`these dedicated and separate devices, e.g., including reading
`and/or tracking of data, can be complex, costly, bulky and
`space consuming, and time consuming.
`It is also known to combine several environmental moni-
`toring functions into a single monitoring system. Examples
`of such systems can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,302 by
`Cordier titled "Process For Monitoring Equipment And
`Device For Implementing Said Process," U.S. Pat. No.
`5,602,749 by Vosburgh titled "Method Of Data Compres-
`sion And Apparatus For Its Use In Monitoring Machinery,"
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,245 by Moldaysky titled "Monitored
`Environment Container," and U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,917 by
`Higgs et al. titled "Electronic Warning Apparatus." These
`combination monitoring systems, however, fail to provide
`an accurate, cost-effective, compact, and flexible system for
`remotely monitoring a plurality of sensors simultaneously
`and with a low power consumption.
`For example, due to the prohibitive costs of conventional
`data collection methods, highway structures are monitored
`at intervals measured in years. In other words, the failure to
`provide an accurate, cost-effective, and flexible system for
`monitoring a highway structure makes data related to the
`structure or device difficult and/or cost prohibitive to obtain.
`Such information or data, however, can be quite valuable to
`evaluation and monitoring of the structure.
`
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This application is a divisional of and hereby incorporates
`E
`by reference application Ser. No. 09/080,038, filed May 15,
`1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,962 commonly owned with
`the present application.
`
`The invention relates to the field of data processing and,
`more particularly, to the field of sensing data from one or
`more sources of data input.
`
`In view of the foregoing background, the present inven-
`tion advantageously provides a method and apparatus for
`时r
`accurately, compactly, and flexibly remotely monitoring a
`v川
`device by the use of a plurality of sensors such as shock,
`、a
`vibration, and at least one other such as temperature, tilt,
`strain, or humidity simultaneously and with a low power
`
`HTC v. Uniloc
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`HTC Ex. 1008
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`
`
`US 6,469,639 B2
`US 6,469,639 B2
`
`3
`3
`converting each of the plurality of sensor signals from an
`analog format to a digital format, a digital signal processor
`responsive to the analog-to-digital converter for processing
`the digitally formatted data, a data communications proces-
`sor responsive to the digital signal processor for generating
`and processing data communications, a battery for providing
`portable power to the data acquisition processing circuit, and
`power management controlling means at least connected to
`the battery, the digital signal processor, and the data com-
`munications processor for controlling power management of
`the data acquisition processing circuit.
`Therefore, the method and apparatus advantageously pro-
`vide a smart monitor which can form a node for accessing
`data from a device such as a structure, system, or area from
`which data is desired. Aplurality of these smart monitors can
`each form a node in a data communications network capable
`of multi-sensor data acquisition, analysis, and assessment
`which perform by acquiring, storing, processing, displaying
`and screening field collected data from a plurality of MEMS.
`The apparatus preferably forms a wireless node which
`communicates data, e.g., both raw or unprocessed and
`processed data, so that the data can advantageously be used
`in a user friendly format such as windows-based programs
`of a laptop or palmtop computer.
`
`4
`4
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
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`The present invention will now be described more fully
`5 hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodi-
`ments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are pro-
`10 vided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,
`and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Prime or multiple prime notation where
`used indicates alternative embodiments. Like numbers refer
`to like elements throughout.
`FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a low power apparatus 10
`for monitoring a device, such as a missile, a highway bridge,
`a telemetry unit, machinery, or various other equipment,
`according to the present invention. The apparatus 10
`includes a plurality of sensors MEMS 1, MEMS 2, 3, . . . N,
`20 12, 74, and preferably at least a plurality of micro-electrical
`mechanical sensors ("MEMS") MEMS 1, MEMS 2, posi-
`tioned to sense a plurality of parameters including at least
`shock and vibration and to provide a corresponding plurality
`of sensor data signals representative of the plurality of
`25 monitored parameters. The plurality of sensors advanta-
`geously can further sense at least one of the following:
`temperature, strain, humidity, acoustic, angle, magnetic
`field, seismic, chemical content and/or variation, and tilt.
`The MEMS preferably include at least one accelerometer,
`30 but a family of MEMS or other types of sensors, for
`example, can also include vibration, seismic, and magne-
`tometer sensors, chemical sensors, image eye and acoustic
`sensors to monitor wake-up-disturbances, shock, periodic
`vibration or movements, operating machinery vibrations,
`35 material movements, chemical content, sounds, and images
`by taking still pictures of the scene in real time. The plurality
`of sensors MEMS 1, MEMS 2, 3, . . . N, 12, 74 preferably
`also include a wake-up sensing circuit 74 which advanta-
`geously senses any initial activity, e.g., vibration,
`40 movement, to provide a wake-up function to a data acqui-
`sition processing circuit 20 as described further herein
`below.
`As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the wake sensing circuit
`74, for example, can include a MEMS 84 which can sense
`45 data in two,axes, e.g., X and Y, as illustrated for providing
`a sensing signal responsive to an initial wake-up condition
`such a vibration or movement. An example of a MEMS
`integrated circuit, e.g., a two-axis accelerometer as under-
`stood by those skilled in the art, connected to a plurality of
`50 resistors R18, R19, R20, R21 and a plurality of capacitors
`C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as an example of
`a wake-up sensor 84 for sensing the initial wake-up signal
`and providing the sensing signal therefrom. The MEMS is
`preferably connected to a buffering circuit, e.g., a buffer and
`55 absolute value circuit 85, which buffers the sensing signal
`and provides an absolute value for the sensed signal. An
`example of a buffering circuit 85 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and
`preferably includes a plurality of resistors R1, R2, R3, R4,
`R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16,
`60 R17, a plurality of capacitors Cl, C2, and a plurality of
`amplifiers Al, A2, A3, A4, A5 or other type of driving
`circuitry as understood by those skilled in the art. A thresh-
`old detecting circuit 86 is preferably connected to the
`buffering circuit for detecting whether or when the buffered
`65 sensing signal reaches or passes a predetermined threshold
`value. An example of a threshold detecting circuit 86 is also
`illustrated in FIG. 4 and can include a plurality of resistors
`
`3
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`B
`Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the
`present invention having been stated, others will become
`apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunc-
`tion with the accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment
`of an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical mechanical
`sensing and processing according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power manage-
`ment controller and a memory circuit of an embodiment of
`an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical mechanical
`sensing and processing according to the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a wake-up sensor
`of an embodiment of an apparatus for low-power, micro-
`electrical mechanical sensing and processing according to
`the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a wake-up sensor of an
`embodiment of an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical
`mechanical sensing and processing according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic-block-diagram of a second embodi-
`ment of an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical
`mechanical sensing and processing according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a third embodi-
`ment of an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical
`mechanical sensing and processing according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a fourth embodi-
`ment of an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical
`mechanical sensing and processing according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a fourth embodi-
`ment of an apparatus for low-power, micro-electrical
`mechanical sensing and processing according to the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a data acqui-
`sition processing circuit on a circuit board being positioned
`into a housing of an embodiment of an apparatus for
`low-power, micro-electrical mechanical sensing according
`民
`M
`to the present invention.
`
`HTC v. Uniloc
`
`Page 11 of 16
`
`HTC Ex. 1008
`
`
`
`US 6,469,639 B2
`US 6,469,639 B2
`
`6
`5
`6
`5
`the apparatus or sensed by one of the shock sensors. The
`R22, R23, R24, a plurality of capacitors CS, C9, ClO, and a
`the apparatus or sensed by one of the shock sensors. The
`R22, R23, R24, a plurality of capacitors C8, C9, C10, and a
`plurality of comparators A6, A7 or other driving circuitry as
`plurality of comparators A6, A7 or other driving circuitry as
`shock profiling means, more specifically, can be provided by
`shock profiling means, more specifically, can be provided by
`understood by those skilled in the art. It will also be
`understood by those skilled in the art. It will also be
`a G-profiler which is a script that runs or operates in the
`a G-profiler which is a script that runs or operates in the
`understood by those skilled in the art that instead of discrete
`understood by those skilled in the art that instead of discr.ete
`digital signal processor 24. For example, after a vibration
`digital signal processor 24. For example, after a vibration
`resistor components as illustrated in the wake-up sensing
`resistor components as illustrated in the wake-up sensmg s occurs, analog data supplied to the digital signal processor
`5 occurs, analog data supplied to the digital signal processor
`circuit, one or more of the resistors, for example, also can be
`circuit, one or more of the resistors, for example, also can be
`24 is converted to digital data and stored in a memory
`24 is converted to digital data and stored in a memory
`adjustable digital potentiometers which advantageously pro-
`portion of the digital signal processor 24. This script pro-
`adjustable digital potentiometers which advantageously pro-
`portion of the digital signal processor 24. This script pro-
`vide for adjustable gain to better control or adjust to receive
`vide for adjustable gain to better control or adjust to receive
`cesses the digital data for saturation points, e.g., points
`cesses the digital data for saturation points, e.g., points
`desired or enhance circuit performance. Additionally, a
`desired or enhance circuit performance. Additionally, a
`where the physical limits of the MEMS sensors were
`where the physical limits of the MEMS sensors were
`switching circuit 81 is also preferably connected to the
`switching circuit 81 is also p附胁ly connected to th.e 10 己xceeded. The p叫巳cted data, for example, can be a prede-
`10 exceeded. The projected data, for example, can be a prede-
`threshold detecting circuit 86 for switching the data acqui-
`termined value or amount such as up to 400% of the analog
`threshold detecting circuit 86 for switching the data acqm-
`termined value or amount such as up to 400% of the analog
`sition processing circuit 20, as well as the other sensors,
`operating limits of the MEMS sensors.
`sition processing circuit 20, as well as the other sensors,
`operating limits of the MEMS sensors.
`from a sleep-type low power condition to a wake-up high r
`from a sleep-type low power condition to a wake-up higher
`So, by way of example, if a MEMS sensor has a 4 Grated
`So, by way of example, if a MEMS sensor has a 4 G rated
`power condition.
`power condition.
`maximum limit or saturation point, e.g., which acts as a
`maximum limit or saturation point, e.g., which acts as a
`The apparatus 10 also includes low-power, data acquisi-
`The apparatus 10 also includes low-power, data acquisi- 15 threshold point or value, and the MEMS sensor receives a 12
`15 threshold point or value, and the MEMS sensor receives a 12
`tion processing means, e.g., preferably provided by a low-
`tion processi吨 means, e.g., preferal句 provided by a. low-
`G shock, th已
`G shock, then a resulting waveform for the portion exceed-
`power data acquisition processing circuit 20, responsive to
`pow已r data acquisition proc已ssing circuit 20, r已spons1v已 to
`ing th已 saturation point would b已 truncat已d at th已 saturation
`ing the saturation point would be truncated at the saturation
`the plurality of sensor signals for acquiring and processing
`th已 plural盯 of s已nsor signals for a叫uiring and proce叩ng
`point for the period of time that the saturation point was
`point for the period of time that the saturation point was
`the sensed data. The low-power, data acquisition processing
`the sensed data. The low-power, data acquisition process1~g
`exceeded. Accordingly, the G-profile provides a projection
`exceeded. Accordingly, the G-profile provides a projection
`circuit 20 includes a plurality of data inputs 23. The plurality
`circuit 20 includes a plurality of data inputs 23. The plurality 20 of this 12 G force even though it was not actually measured.
`20 of this 12 G force even though it was not actually measured.
`of data inputs includes at least 8 data inputs, and more
`of data inputs includes at least 8 data inputs, and more
`As understood by those skilled in the art, one simple way
`As understood by those skilled in the art, one simple way
`preferably includes at least 26 data inputs, connected to the
`preferably includes at least 26 data inputs, connected to the
`this can be accomplished is by using the following trigono-
`this can be accomplished is by using the following trigono-
`analog-to-digital converter 22, 71, 72, for increased accu-
`analog-to-digital converter 22, 71, 72, for increased acc~ -
`metric eqi川ion:
`metric equation:
`racy and flexibility of the data acquisition processing circmt
`racy and flexibility of the data acquisition processing circuit
`B=a x(c+d).
`20. The apparatus 10 is preferably capable of capturing and 25
`20. The apparatus 10 is preferably capable of capturing and
`B~a x(c+的
`25
`processing from 8 up to 16 channels of mixed sensor data
`In this equation, B is a projected point, a is the slope (Nc)
`processing from 8 up to 16 channels of mixed sensor data
`In this equation, B is a projected point, a is the slope (A/c)
`simultaneously and analyzing and summarizing the captured
`of the angle between the baseline and the rise or decline of
`simultaneously and analyzing and summarizing the captured
`of the angle between the baseline and the rise or decline of
`data.
`the waveform, A is the limit or threshold value, c is the
`data.
`the waveform, A is the limit or threshold value, c is the
`The low power data acquisition circuit 20 preferably also
`The low power data acquisition circuit 20 preferably also
`number of samples before the limit or threshold is reached,
`number of samples before the limit or threshold is reached,
`includes analog-to-digital converting means, e.g., preferably
`includes analog-to-digital converting m己ans, e.g., preferably 30 and dis Yi of the duration of the over limit or over threshold
`30 and d is 1/2 of the duration of the over limit or over thres