Universal wireless transceiver

Abstract

A wireless transceiver includes a microprocessor for processing signals and communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor. The communication circuitry includes input/output circuitry for receiving signals from a plurality of wireless devices over a wireless communication path, for providing the signals to the microprocessor, and for transmitting processed signals from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices. The input/output circuitry of the transceiver includes a non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to a test and measurement device. The test and measurement device receives the processed signals from the microprocessor, processes the received signal and data and/or information encoded therein, and performs a predetermined response thereto.

1 . A wireless transceiver, comprising:
 a connector housing having a base and at least one cover portion enclosing the base to define an interior chamber;   a microprocessor for processing signals disposed in the interior chamber;   communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor disposed in the interior chamber, the communication circuitry including input/output circuitry for receiving the signals from a plurality of wireless devices over a wireless communication path, providing the signals to the microprocessor and for transmitting processed signals from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices;   the input/output circuitry includes a non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to a test and measurement device, the test and measurement device receives the processed signals from the microprocessor.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the input/output circuitry includes a transceiver. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless devices include at least one device having a sensor for sensing a process variable and a transmitter for transmitting the process variable as data and/or information within signals to the wireless transceiver over the wireless communication path. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 3 , wherein the process variable includes at least one of temperature, voltage, humidity, pressure, strain, resistance, motion, light, current, velocity and flow. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 3 , wherein the test and measurement device processes the received signal and data and/or information encoded therein and performs a predetermined response thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the input/output circuitry include digital and/or analog input/output circuitry. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the processed signals transmitted from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices include data, information, and command and control signals. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the processor controls communication from the plurality of wireless devices by individually recognizing each of the plurality of wireless devices and assigning different communication channels within the wireless communication path thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 8 , wherein the different communication channels include different frequencies, time slots, chipping codes, and other differentiating communication characteristics. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , further comprising power regulator circuitry for providing power to the wireless transceiver. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 10 , wherein the power regulator circuitry receives the power for the wireless transceiver from the test and measurement device. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the test and measurement device is comprised of a hardwired cable connection. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the wired connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the test and measurement device is comprised of male connector pins. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless devices are comprised of first type devices and the test and measurement device is comprised of a second type device, the first type device being incompatible for communication of the signals to the second type device, and the microprocessor processes the signals from the plurality of wireless devices of the first type device to accommodate communication to the test and measurement device of the second type. 
     
     
         15 . A sensor having a wireless transceiver, the sensor comprising:
 a sensor body having a base and at least one cover portion enclosing the base to define an interior chamber;   a sensor disposed in the interior chamber, the sensor measures a characteristic and provides a sensor signal at an output with the measured characteristic encoded therein;   a microprocessor for processing signals, the microprocessor disposed in the interior chamber, the output of the sensor coupled to the microprocessor;   communication circuitry disposed in the interior chamber, the communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor, the communication circuitry including input/output circuitry for receiving signals from a plurality of wireless devices over a wireless communication path, providing the signals to the microprocessor and for transmitting processed signals including the received signals and the sensor signal from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices;   the input/output circuitry includes a non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to a test and measurement device, the test and measurement device receives the processed signals from the microprocessor.   
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the measured characteristic includes at least one of temperature, voltage, humidity, pressure, strain, resistance, motion, light, current, velocity and flow. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the test and measurement device is comprised of a device that is initially coupled to one of the sensors via a hard wired communication path. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the at least one test and measurement device is comprised of a hardwired cable connection. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to the at least one test and measurement device is comprised of male connector pins. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor is comprised of a first type device and the test and measurement device is comprised of a second type device, the first type device being incompatible for communication of the sensor signals to the second type device, and the microprocessor processes the sensor signals from the sensor of the first type device to accommodate communication to the test and measurement device of the second type.