Trending machine health data using rfid transponders

A method of monitoring a health of a machine, the method comprising steps of:

• installing a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder into a machine, wherein the RFID transponder includes:
• a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna,
• a radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter in signal communication with the RFID antenna,
• a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver in signal communication with the RFID antenna,
• a digital memory element including a memory block established for recording and retaining point setup data and a series of memory blocks established for retaining historic measurements,
• a microprocessor in signal communication with and operational control of the digital memory element, the RFID transmitter and the RFID receiver;
• removably coupling a machine condition advisor (MCA) to the machine, the MCA comprising a sensor input and a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor operates in accordance with a series of machine condition instructions;
• query machine condition sensors to obtain machine condition measurement data through the MCA;
• establishing point setup data within the RFID point setup data memory block, wherein the point set up data includes at least one machine condition warning level associated with each monitored machine condition;
• transferring the obtained machine condition measurement data to and recording the obtained machine condition measurement data in the historic measurement memory blocks;
• determining a time relative to the machine condition sensor query and recording the relative time in the RFID transponder digital memory element, wherein the relative time is associated with the recorded obtained machine condition measurement data;
• and
• utilizing the relative times and recorded obtained machine condition measurement data to determine machine condition trending.