Abstract:
An improved transponder for use in identifying an controlling vehicles wherein transponders mounted on vehicles respond to signals from a fixed location interrogator providing information relative to the vehicle or other data as required. The transponder disclosed in particular utilizes an improved method of providing frequency shift keyed (FSK) signals in response to a trigger or command signal received from a ground mounted loop or antenna. As disclosed, the transponder of the invention generates FSK signals through programming multiple microprocessor loops of predetermined duration, each loop providing microprocessor highs and lows for transmission to the interrogating station. Utilization of the inherently accurate microprocessor cycle time to generate distinct FSK signals avoids problems with ordinarily used analog frequency generating devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an automatic identification of a transponder on an object responsive to a signal from a remote interrogating station, and more particularly to an improved transponder. 
     Transponders of the type disclosed herein can be mounted on vehicles, and in response to an interrogating signal from a remote interrogator, transmit information previously recorded and stored in the transponder relating to vehicular identification and/or other data necessary for management and operational control of vehicles such as trucks, buses, or rail vehicles operating on rails, including freight, locomotive, and mass transit passenger cars. Some applications, however, utilize a moving interrogator mounted on the vehicle and a stationary transponder in order to establish position or location of the vehicle and/or to transmit other information to operators of the vehicle. 
     Presently, known vehicular identification systems employ a transponder such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,057, for use in a system disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,211. The specification and figures of U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,211 is hereby incorporated by reference. The system and transponder disclosed herein utilize the well known frequency shift keying (FSK) method wherein carriers of two frequencies are modulated or shifted in bit format to contain information stored in the transponder for transmission from a moving transponder to a fixed location interrogator. This information is encoded through a transmitted string of digital non-return to zero (NRZ) bits coded by shifts from one frequency to another over a fixed time period. These presently used devices utilize conventional or Colpits or Hartley oscillators to generate the dual frequencies required from FSK signaling. 
     Although this type of transponder is in use generally speaking, operational difficulties have been encountered, primarily with the frequency generating means due to frequency stability, sensitivity to the proximity of ferrous materials and temperature sensitively of the frequency generating oscillators. 
     The transponder of this invention overcomes these objections and provides further advantages through the use of a programmed microprocessor. 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a frequency shift keyed (FSK) transponder for use with existing interrogators having improved frequency stability through incorporation of a microprocessor having a highly accurate internal crystal controlled frequency. 
     It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improved FSK transponder wherein microprocessor programming precisely controls the generation of frequency shift keyed signals for transmission to a remote interrogator. 
     It is an additional object of this invention to provide a frequency shift keyed transponder utilizing microprocessor programming to insure accurate transmission of stored information through verification of the content of each information bit transmitted on each transmission cycle. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a frequency shift keyed transponder wherein shift frequencies, stored information, and handling of other data can be conveniently modified and/or improved through microprocessor programming. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A transponder generates coded frequency shift keyed signals according to data stored internally using non-volatile means. The FSK signal is generated by programming a microprocessor having intrinsic cycle time which is a substantial sub-multiple of the output FSK signals. Using a crystal controlled microprocessor having a cycle time substantially divided down from the initial crystal frequency, a highly accurate form of generating frequencies required for FSK transmission has been discovered. Generating proper frequencies is accomplished through microprocessor programming which includes a precise number of integral microprocessor cycles during predetermined time intervals, thereby providing highly accurate shift frequencies occupying equally accurate shift or signal periods. 
     As programmed, the microprocessor of the transponder generates a data bit stream according to the above mentioned stored input information on each overall program cycle. Although as disclosed herein, input information is stored by wired open and closed contacts, other means, such as remotely controlled switches or information stored in the microprocessor data memory, can be used as well. Since each data transmission cycle includes reexamination of stored data, and utilizes the aforementioned highly accurate crystal controlled microprocessor cycling, transponder stored data is transmitted by signals having highly accurate frequencies and time periods. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     (Note that all flow diagrams show associated instruction numbers of FIG. 15.) 
     FIG. 1 shows a &#34;typical&#34; transponder in perspective, particularly showing vehicular mounting means and of the transponder antenna location. 
     FIG. 2 is a depiction of the transponder of the invention mounted on a vehicle, particularly showing the relationship between transponder and interrogating loop or antenna for a roadway application. 
     FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C comprise a transponder schematic system diagram particularly showing digital devices employed and associated information input, information bus filtering, and transmit/receive circuitry. 
     FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the transponder, particularly showing major signal flows. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the program used in the microprocessor portion of the transponder of the invention, particularly showing microprocessor instructions of FIG. 5 associated with the operations shown. 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the microprocessor operation and instructions used to generate the synchronization bit. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the oscillator table portion of a microprocessor operation and instruction numbers of the program used to generate signal frequency bits, particularly showing use of an exclusive NOR to generate the next sequential signal frequency bit of information transmission. 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a portion of the microprocessor program of the invention, particularly showing generation of an information bit. Based on reading settings of switches at 65 of FIG. 17 by switch scanner 16 and present at switch ports of microprocessor 14, at 424 of FIG. 16. Prior flag settings (Reference FIG. 16, 96-236) establish information or data bit transmission (Reference FIG. 5). 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a portion of the microprocessor program utilized to generate a stop bit (Reference FIG. 5) of the transponder signal transmission. 
     FIG. 10 is a graphic depiction of a transponder information transmission, particularly showing the bit strings of the synchronizing and start bits, the signal frequency or information bits, and stop bits. 
     FIG. 11 is a graphic depiction of a typical synchronization bit, particularly showing the oscillating frequency pattern and bit/frequency periods. 
     FIG. 12 is a graphic depiction of the start bit, particularly showing its variable or shifting frequency pattern. 
     FIG. 13 is a table containing graphic depictions of the switch bit patterns of the invention, particularly showing the relationship between the information input bits from individual switches 29 of buffer 28, and particularly the last bit frequency in its relation to the next oscillating bit frequency pattern. 
     FIG. 14 is a table containing graphic depictions of two stop bits particularly showing the relationship between the last information bit oscillating bit frequency and the stop bit frequency pattern. 
     FIGS. 15A through 15T constitute is a complete instruction set written in assembler, particularly showing by line sequence all operational steps referred to in FIGS. 9 through 13, including subroutine for generating FSK signals. 
     FIG. 16 is a breakout of FIG. 15d, particularly showing, in graphic form, the generation of 100 Khz and 90 Khz frequency shift keyed (FSK) signals. 
     FIG. 17 is a &#34;typical&#34; encoding table, particularly showing information bit switch positions for data input. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system comprises a transponder assembly 2 in a suitable housing 5 having perimeter means for vehicular mounting 4, and cabled lead assembly 6 for supplying input power and in some cases data input through remote encoding of the transponder information bits. 
     The system further comprises, with reference to FIG. 2, a particular vehicle 7 having the transponder assembly 2 mounted underneath or immediately adjacent to the under body of the vehicle. Cooperating with the transponder in sending interrogating signals and receiving data is a road mounted loop 8 mounted on or embedded on a road surface 11 generating an electromagnetic frequency field or transponder capture pattern 10 for reception via the transponder&#39;s antenna having a receiving field pattern or capture zone approximated by the lines 12. In an alternative installation an antenna array 9 can be used to array configured to generate a similar capture pattern. A remote interrogating station (not shown) is suitably connected to the loop 8 or antenna 9 for sending a triggering or start-up signal to the transponder and subsequently receiving data relative to the vehicle via an antenna on the transponder. Interrogator signals are periodically transmitted, typically in the following sequence; 
     A 2 millisecond 100KHZ transponder start-up transmission. 
     A 16 millisecond interval for transponder response. 
     A 6 millisecond interval for interrogator processing. 
     With reference to FIG. 3A, 3B and 3C the transponder of the invention comprises a micro-controller 14 of the type manufactured by Signetics Model 87C751 or other equivalent units, having input ports read by program commands to provide a virtual operating switch scanner 16 for interfacing data input switch assembly 18. As shown, assembly 18 incorporates nineteen manual electrical two-position switches 29. The transponder further comprises a signal amplifier 20, an interrogator signal detector 22 (typically LM-111, manufactured by National Semiconductor), and a transmit/receive antenna 26 cooperating in signal communication as shown with the above mentioned road mounted antenna 8. 
     In further reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, there is shown an input/output latch 32, a data input switch assembly 18 and associated buffers 28 (buffers and latches shown). Also shown are buffer ballast resistors 30 utilized in cooperation with data input switch assembly 18 in order to establish the voltage level of specific information bits as microprocessor highs or lows through jumpering or leaving unconnected the sequence of switch terminals designated as 29. As discussed above, remotely operated switches or microprocessor data memory could be used as well. A typical information input table showing a configuration of switches 28 is shown in FIG. 17. Use of the input data &#34;switches&#34; 29 in encoding the transponder will be discussed in some detail below. 
     The transponder further comprises a vehicle voltage supply filter assembly 34 having an output voltage terminal 35 and information bit switch filter assembly 36 for shunting extraneous noise and signals to circuit ground or return 37. The transponder elements are interconnected through a conventional data bus 39. Operating power for the transponder is typically supplied from the vehicle&#39;s electrical system although a suitable battery can be used, and is filtered by the above-mentioned multiple stage voltage limiting and noise filter 34. 
     In operation, the microprocessor 14 driven by its crystal controlled pulse generator 15 , in this case operating at 12 Mhz, cyclically moves through its instruction set (reference FIG. 15). However, in the absence of an interrogator start-up signal and subsequent interrupt signal along interrupt line 38, the microprocessor&#39;s internal executive routine does not initiate action beyond the interrupt detection command (Reference 60, 61 of FIG. 15) on the previously stored program. 
     Although the following description assumes a moving transponder and fixed interrogator, those skilled in the art will understand that an inverse configuration will operate as well, i.e., a stationary transponder and vehicular mounted and moving interrogator including its transmitting loop or antenna. 
     When a vehicle equipped with the transponder assembly 2 typically mounted as shown in FIG. 2, enters the capture field or radiation pattern 10 of the road mounted array 8, on reception of the 2 millisecond 100 Khz transponder start-up signal voltage is generated the transponder in antenna 26. The signal appears across the balanced inputs of the interrupter signal amplifier and detector 22, and, as those skilled in the arts will readily understand, is conditioned via the diode resistor and capacitor network associated with a balanced input. This input signal, appearing across the balanced inputs of detector 22 generates an interrupt signal on line 38 entering the interrupt port of the microprocessor 14, thereby initiating microprocessor action on the previously stored program shown in FIG. 15. 
     An alternate embodiment of the invention measures the period of the deleted interrogator signal and initiates microprocessor action on the previously stored program only if the received signal has a measured period falling within predetermined limits (i.e., 9 microseconds to 11 microseconds and/or 91 Khz to 111 Khz). This implementation reduces power consumption by minimizing the initiation of transponder transmission due to spurious non signals. 
     A further refinement of the alternate embodiment utilizes the measured period of the interrogation signal to extract information which has been encoded therein by varying the frequency of the transmitted interrogation signal. This information which could, for example, indicate the location of the interrogating device, information which would then be utilized by other systems on the vehicle. 
     Returning to the preferred embodiment, completion of the stored program of FIG. 15 results in generation of a frequency shift signal of appropriate frequencies carrying digital data in accordance with data provided by input switches 18 contained in the input switch assembly 29. Data input is presented to the microprocessor buffers 28 by various high and low signals due to open or closed state of switches 18. 
     In operation of the program cycle of FIG. 15, microprocessor outputs are handled by output line 31 of the microprocessor input/output latch 32. 
     Programmed information inputs via the data switches 18 in the form of 90 Khz and 100 Khz FSK signal strings are transmitted serially to the transistor base of transponder output signal amplifier 20 via the latch line 31. The signal bit string is by amplifier 20, and impressed across antenna 26 and tuning capacitor 27 via the collector circuit of transistor Q1 in amplifier 20, for electromagnetic transmission to the above mentioned remote interrogator via the road mounted loop or antenna 8 or 9 (Reference FIG. 2). 
     In operation, a remote interrogator (not shown) periodically transmits the sequence described above through the field 10, to transponder antenna 26. On reception of the 2 millisecond 100 Khz transponder start-up signal, by the transponder antenna 26, and amplifier 22, the microprocessor program activates interrupt line 38, the microprocessor input via interrupt line 38. 
     In keeping with the invention disclosed herein, further portions of the microprocessor program of FIG. 15 are utilized to generate the dual frequency FSK signal and provide additional signal processing and control operations. With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 15, the following description will deal largely with the program block diagram of FIG. 5. Those skilled in the microprocessor arts will readily understand that functions shown in individual blocks of FIG. 5 correspond to commands of FIG. 15 indicated adjacent to said FIG. 5 blocks. The numbers, located to the right and adjacent to the blocks of FIG. 5, represent the particular instructions, listed on FIG. 15, used to program the microprocessor/controller 14. 
     A substantial amount of the microprocessor programming shown on FIG. 15 is written in typically used assembler microprocessor programming language, contains many &#34;housekeeping&#34; commands not essential to the description of the invention disclosed herein. In order to best describe the invention disclosed, the following description will deal largely with the major functional aspects of the blocks of FIG. 5. Detailed discussion of specific commands directly with applicant&#39;s invention as disclosed herein will be presented. It is expected that those skilled in the microprocessor arts will refer to the indicated and associated commands contained in FIG. 15 for a more detailed and thorough review of other portions of the program. 
     Returning to FIGS. 5 and 15, after power-up, an initialization sequence, the program searches for presence of an interrupt signal along line 38 of the transponder. If a signal from an adjacent interrogator is present, at 80, the master interrupt is enabled. If no interrupt signal were available on line 38, the program cycle, other than power on and initialization is continued with subsequent and continuing searches for the presence of an interrupt signal through operation of signal detector 22. 
     Given the presence of an interrupt signal, processing proceeds, at commands 85 and 86 to read the data input switch settings 18 of the transponder 2 after which settings 1 through 8 of data input switches 29 of switch assembly 18 are stored. Similarly at 88, switches 9 through 16 are read and stored. Reading and storage of the data input switches proceeds through command 94. 
     At 88 of the program diagram a table of oscillating signal frequencies is begun. As this procedure continues from command 95 through 237 to generate separate and distinct oscillating signal information bits in a similar manner, a detailed description of a procedure for a single information bit will be presented. 
     Reference to FIG. 15 will provide detailed information of a similar or identical nature for further description of the process. At command 95, the start bit shown in FIG. 12 and also shown in FIG. 11 is shown as 100/90 Khz. With particular reference to FIG. 12, there is shown a representative start bit diagram comprising a 250 microsecond period of 100 Khz bits and a following 250 microsecond period bit of 90 Khz. It should be noted that the subroutines for generating the particular bit/frequency combinations designated as signal information bits is disclosed as subroutines, generated by instructions 946 through 1062. In particular, the start bit subroutine is disclosed in instructions 989 through 1025. 
     For the start bit, generated as 100/90 Khz, reference to the bit choice diagram of FIG. 7 indicates that the oscillating table designation or flag for the start bit is &#34;0 &#34;. 
     Organization of the entire signal information bit is shown in FIG. 10 where proceeding from left to right a complete data transmission from the transponder is shown. With this bit sequence, on receipt of the above discussed interrupt signal, an initial 10 synchronizing bits to be described below, plus the above mentioned start bit, are initially transmitted to allow synchronization between transponder and interrogator. It should be noted (Reference FIG. 11) that the start bit trails 11 synchronous bits having the period/frequency content shown in FIG. 12. The entire transponder data transmission (Reference FIG. 10) consists of the above-mentioned stop and synchronous bits, 19 switch or data bits read as indicated above from data input switches 18 of FIG. 4, typically set according to the table of FIG. 17; and the final component of the complete transponder reference signal, two 500 MSEC stop, bits chosen as shown in FIG. 14. 
     In keeping with the invention disclosed herein, as shown in FIG. 5, the FSK bit frequency pattern content of all data bits as transmitted is verified on each cycle according to the logic required as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This insures that each transmission of stored data in the transponder is compared to the data input switch settings of data input assembly 29 prior to and during each complete data transmission, substantially reducing the probability of transmission errors. 
     Returning to FIGS. 5 and 15, the generation of data signal bits proceeds at 97 of FIG. 15, the determination of an oscillating pattern or flag for the second bit of the information contained in the data input switches 18 of data input assembly 29. At 98, the logical tests of FIGS. 9 and 13 are applied in that command XRL comprise an exclusive NOR as described in the above mentioned tables (Ref. FIGS. 7 and 9). 
     In particular, FIG. 9 depicts the logic applied in determining the next information bit based on the four possible combinations of the last bit and information stored after reading the bit switches of data input 18. The possible combinations are as shown in FIG. 13, essentially a &#34;truth table&#34; for the oscillating frequency pattern and encoded transmitting signal of the invention disclosed herein. 
     Proceeding through the above discussed tests, a bit is determined and stored. In commands 103 through 236, each individual bit of the 19 data bits are determined in a manner similar to that described above. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, at 238, a delay of one millisecond is introduced to insure completion of the above operations. At 240 the actual frequency shift keyed signal containing the information assembled according to the bit structure of FIG. 11 is generated for transmission. As the method of generating the bit string is a major aspect of the invention disclosed herein, operations in instructions 240 through 254 will be described in some detail as follows: 
     As indicated above, generation of a two-frequency frequency shift keyed signal comprised of information bits of 500 microsecond duration (reference FIGS. 10, 13 and 14) involves programming the microprocessor 14 so as to utilize its operating cycle to produce information bits comprising groups of microprocessor lows and highs of 90 and 100 Khz frequencies. Those skilled in microprocessor arts will understand that other frequencies and bit transfer timings can easily be achieved by modifying the program so as to change either the number of dummy cycles per loop or the number of loop repetitions per bit. The technique disclosed herein is utilized throughout the generation of the entire transmitted bit signal. 
     The following description shown in detail on FIG. 16 is, therefore, &#34;typical&#34; of the frequency shift generation process for transmitting information signals shown in complete detail by of FIG. 17. 
     Generation of the transponder FSK bits is done as shown in FIG. 16 through instruction commands 241 through 246. It should be noted that the combination of microprocessor cycles in each case comprises groups of five microprocessor cycles of microprocessor output voltage lows and highs. Reasons for this will become apparent on the following examination of the above mentioned instructions and FIG. 16. 
     At 242 a single clock cycle is executed. 
     At 243 49/10 microsecond loops are programmed in a two-cycle instruction. 
     At 244 a spacer or dummy cycle is introduced for two cycles, completing the five-cycle instruction set, providing a five-cycle microprocessor low. 
     At 245, the microprocessor output is set at high for a cycle. 
     At 246 the output high is continued for an additional four-cycles providing a sequential microprocessor high, also at five cycles. 
     At 248 and 249 a five-cycle instruction low is written. 
     At 251, 252 and 253, a five-cycle high instruction is complete. The instruction 253 is important in that the above specified 10 microsecond loop is continued. 
     The above described loop instruction provides 49 subsequent 10 microsecond cycles in addition to the initial 10 microsecond command cycles. The sequence results in a 500 microsecond period of information bits oscillating between low and high at 5 microsecond intervals. Since the period of a 100 Khz signal is in fact ten microseconds, the combination of 5 microseconds high and 5 microseconds low effectively generates a 100 Khz alternating (5 microseconds low/5 microseconds high) signal. 
     To generate the second of the frequency shift information signals required to transmit an FSK signal, i.e, a bit for transmission at 90 Khz, a similar procedure follows at instructions 256 through 269. The instruction 257 establishes the 90 Khz signal in that forty-five 11 microsecond loops are specified. As the time period of these loops is 495 microseconds, and as the instructions 256-258, and 259-261 are 5 and 6 microsecond microprocessor highs and lows, respectively, the above described pattern is continued. Succeeding instructions 263, 264 generate a five cycle low, and instructions 266 through 269 generate a 5 microsecond low, a 6 microsecond high, succeeded by 45 eleven microsecond repetitions of the preceding (6+5) microsecond cycles. This sequence generates 56 cycles of a 6(high)+5(low) 90.9 Khz data bit, essentially 90 Khz. The above described concept of organizing the loop and instruction sets in microprocessor lows/highs of approximately 5 cycles or 5 microseconds is continued to generate a 90 Khz signal. 
     Returning once again to FIG. 5, after transmission of the sync and start bits transmission of information bits 1 through 19 (reference FIGS. 11 and 12) is undertaken. This procedure occupies instructions 423 through 860 (Reference FIG. 15). 
     For the transmit stop block of FIG. 5, at instruction 860, the two stop bits of FIG. 14 are generated and transmitted in a manner shown in FIG. 14. At instruction 939 after a delay of three milliseconds in order to allow completion of microprocessor processing instructions, the cycle returns to interrupt function (Instructions 60,61) of FIG. 5 in order to determine the presence of an additional interrogating signal. As the process is cyclic, the transmission of information contained in data input switches 18 will continue on receipt of an interrogating signal. 
     With regard to the setting of data input switch assembly 18, FIG. 17 sets out a &#34;typical&#34; switch setting table for the switches 29, establishing a binary representation of information to be stored in the transponder for transmission as 19 data bits (reference FIG. 10). 
     As discussed above, sequential generation of alternate 90 and 100 Khz signals through programming varying cycles of microprocessor lows and highs in loops of varying time duration generates serial transmissions of the data contained in the data input switches 18 at the shift frequencies determined as disclosed herein. As disclosed in FIG. 17, completion of the instruction set insures that on each transmission the data input switches are read, thereby verifying the accuracy of subsequent data bits transmitted to the interrogator. Due to the capture area or distance of the road mounted interrogator antenna, repeated reception of the interrogator signal will result in many transmissions or reads of the stored transponder data providing redundant reads of said stored data, by a process which greatly enhances the accuracy of the transmitted information.