TPMS sensor autolocation through low frequency programming

A tire pressure sensor that automatically detects and reports its location to a controller, comprising:

• a receiver that receives a modulated frequency signal from a signal source;
• a processor configured to determine a modulation frequency used to modulate the frequency signal, and further configured to determine location information describing an axle and wheel end at which the sensor is located as a function of the determined modulation frequency;
• and
• a tire pressure monitor module that monitors air pressure in a tire associated with the sensor;
• wherein the processor is further configured to generate a tire pressure status message comprising tire pressure status information and the location information for transmission to a control unit.

A system that facilitates automatically identifying the location of each of a plurality of tire pressure sensor on a multi-axle vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of low-frequency initiator coils, each having at least one directional antenna;
• a plurality of tire pressure sensors, each positioned on a respective wheel of the vehicle;
• wherein each antenna emits a signal that is modulated at a different frequency relative to other antennas;
• and
• wherein each sensor detects a modulation frequency received and reports the received modulation signal to a controller;
• and
• wherein the controller receives the reported modulation frequency and determines an axle and wheel end at which the sensor is located as function of the reported modulation frequency.

A method of automatically detecting and reporting a tire pressure sensor location to a controller, comprising:

• receiving a modulated frequency signal from a signal source;
• determining a modulation frequency used to modulate the received frequency signal;
• determining location information describing an axle and wheel end at which the sensor is located as a function of the determined modulation frequency;
• monitoring air pressure in a tire associated with the sensor;
• and
• generating a tire pressure status message comprising tire pressure status information and the location information for transmission to a control unit.

An apparatus that facilitates automatically detecting and reporting a tire pressure sensor location to a controller, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a modulated frequency signal from a signal source;
• monitoring means for monitoring air pressure in a tire associated with the sensor;
• processing means for:
• determining a modulation frequency used to modulate the received frequency signal;
• determining location information describing an axle and wheel end at which the sensor is located as a function of the determined modulation frequency;
• and
• generating a tire pressure status message comprising tire pressure status information and the location information for transmission to a control unit.