Wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a remote communication device including a backscatter modulator;
• an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication, at least one of the forward link wireless communication and the reply link wireless communication containing data of a first clearance level;
• and
• a maintenance device configured to interface with the interrogator in a wireless manner and receive data from the interrogator, the data received by the maintenance device having a higher clearance level than the first clearance level.

A system comprising:

• an interrogator capable of operating in a normal mode and a maintenance mode;
• wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate wireless signals including at least one of outputting data to the interrogator and receiving data from the interrogator;
• and
• a command control coupled with the wireless communication circuitry and being configured to output control signals to control the selection of operation of the interrogator between the normal mode and the maintenance mode.

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a plurality of remote communication devices;
• an interrogator configured to communicate with the remote communication devices;
• and
• an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to communicate data corresponding to communications with the remote communication devices to the interface device.

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a plurality of remote communication devices;
• an interrogator configured to communicate with the remote communication devices;
• and
• an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interface device being configured to communicate software code to the interrogator.

A wireless communication system comprising:

• at least one remote communication device;
• an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication;
• and
• a maintenance device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator configured to detect the presence of the maintenance device and output data to the maintenance device responsive to the detection.

A communication method comprising:

• providing an interrogator and at least one remote communication device;
• communicating intermediate the interrogator and the remote communication device;
• providing an interface device;
• reading control information from the interface device using the interrogator;
• and
• communicating data between the interrogator and the interface device responsive to the control information.

A communication method comprising:

• providing an interrogator and at least one remote communication device;
• communicating intermediate the interrogator and the remote communication device;
• providing an interface device;
• detecting the presence of the interface device using the interrogator;
• and
• communicating data intermediate the interrogator and the interface device responsive to the detecting.

A method of communicating using an interrogator of a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• outputting a forward link communication;
• receiving a reply link communication;
• identifying an interface device responsive to the receiving;
• and
• interfacing with the interface device via a wireless medium responsive to the identifying, the interfacing including receiving control information from the interface device.

A method of interfacing with an interrogator of a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• providing a communication system including an interrogator and at least one remote communication devices configured to communicate with the interrogator;
• providing an interface device configured to communicate with the interrogator;
• outputting an identification signal using the interface device;
• identifying the interface device using the interrogator responsive to the outputting;
• and
• communicating data intermediate the interrogator and the interface device via a wireless medium.

A method of operating an interrogator comprising:

• outputting a forward link wireless communication;
• receiving a reply link wireless communication from a remote communication device responsive to the outputting;
• receiving an identification signal from an interface device responsive to the outputting;
• and
• interfacing with the interface device responsive to the receiving the identification signal, the interfacing including receiving control information.

A method of communicating within a backscatter system, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of remote communication devices;
• providing an interrogator;
• providing an interface device;
• outputting plural forward link wireless communications using the interrogator;
• outputting continuous wave signals following the outputting of the forward link wireless communications;
• receiving at least some of the forward link wireless communications within the remote communication devices and at least one of the forward link wireless communications within the interface device;
• backscattering the continuous wave signal responsive to the receiving one forward link wireless communication using at least one remote communication device;
• backscattering the continuous wave signal responsive to the receiving the forward link wireless communication using the interface device;
• receiving the backscattered signals from the remote communication device and the interface device within the interrogator;
• storing data within the backscattered signals from the remote communication device;
• and
• interfacing with the interface device responsive to the receiving the backscatter signal from the interface device, the interfacing including communicating the stored data to the interface device.