System and method for antenna failure detection
AssigneeInteractive Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRobert E. Brunius, John R. Charais
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a wireless security system, the system controller includes one or more antennas for reception of signals from remote sensor-transmitter units. To detect antenna failure, the system controller generates a test signal with a known parameter and transmits this test signal via a first antenna. The system controller then measures the parameter of the corresponding test signal received, if any, via a second antenna, and compares the parameter of the corresponding test signal received to a predetermined threshold parameter. When the parameter of the test signal received via the second antenna differs from the threshold by a predetermined amount, or predetermined margin for error, an antenna failure message is generated.
Claims50
A system for detecting failure of an antenna, comprising:
- a first antenna;
- a transmitter, operatively coupled to the first antenna, for transmitting a test signal via the first antenna;
- a second antenna;
- a receiver, operatively coupled to the second antenna, for receiving via the second antenna the test signal transmitted via the first antenna;
- and
- a control circuit operatively coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, the control circuit causing the transmitter to transmit the test signal via the first antenna, comparing a parameter of the test signal received by the receiver via the second antenna to a threshold parameter, and generating a message indicative of antenna failure when the parameter of the test signal received by the receiver differs from the threshold parameter by a predetermined amount.
An apparatus for detecting failure of an antenna, comprising:
- means for controlling the transmission of a test signal via a first antenna;
- means for receiving via a second antenna the test signal transmitted via the first antenna;
- means for comparing a parameter of the test signal received via the second antenna to a threshold parameter;
- and
- means for generating a message indicative of antenna failure, wherein the apparatus generates the message indicative of antenna failure when the parameter of the test signal received differs from the threshold parameter by a predetermined amount.
An apparatus for detecting failure of an antenna, comprising:
- means for controlling the transmission of a test signal via a first antenna;
- means for receiving via a second antenna the test signal transmitted via the first antenna;
- means for comparing a parameter of the test signal received via the second antenna to a threshold parameter;
- means for generating a message indicative of antenna failure;
- and
- means for receiving an operating signal from a sensor-transmitter unit.
An apparatus for detecting an alarm signal indicative of an alarm condition and reporting the alarm condition to a central station, comprising:
- a first antenna;
- a transmitter operatively coupled to the first antenna;
- a second antenna;
- a receiver operatively coupled to the second antenna, the receiver and the second antenna being oriented to receive the alarm signal indicative of an alarm condition;
- and
- a central processing unit operatively coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, the central processing unit processing the alarm signal and reporting the alarm condition to a central station, and the central processing unit causing the transmitter to transmit a test signal via the first antenna and reporting to the central station a condition indicating antenna failure when a parameter of a corresponding test signal received by the receiver differs from a threshold parameter by a predetermined amount.
A method of detecting failure of an antenna, comprising:
- transmitting a test signal via a first antenna;
- receiving the test signal via a second antenna;
- comparing a parameter of the test signal received via the second antenna to a threshold parameter;
- and
- generating a message indicative of antenna failure when the parameter of the test signal received differs from the threshold parameter by a predetermined amount.
An apparatus for detecting alarm signals indicative of an alarm condition and reporting the alarm condition to a central station, comprising:
- a control panel;
- a first antenna mounted on the control panel;
- a transmitter operatively coupled to the first antenna;
- a second antenna mounted on the control panel;
- a receiver operatively coupled to the second antenna;
- and
- a control circuit mounted on the control panel for controlling the transmission of a test signal by the transmitter, detecting reception of the test signal by the receiver, comparing a parameter of the test signal received to a threshold parameter, and generating a message indicative of antenna failure when the parameter of the test signal received differs from the threshold parameter by a predetermined amount.
A wireless security system comprising:
- a control panel;
- one or more security sensors that detect security events and transmit alarm signals to the control panel;
- a first antenna mounted on the control panel;
- a second antenna mounted on the control panel, at least one of the first and second antennas receiving the alarm signals from the security sensors;
- a transmitter coupled to the first antenna;
- a receiver coupled to the second antenna;
- and
- a control circuit mounted on the control panel, the control circuit causing transmission of a test signal by the transmitter, detecting reception of the test signal by the receiver, comparing a parameter of the test signal received to a threshold parameter, and generating a message indicative of antenna failure when the parameter of the received test signal differs from the threshold parameter by a predetermined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.