U.S. patent number 9,271,190 [Application Number 14/307,064] was granted by the patent office on 2016-02-23 for remotely managed data radios including remote management capabilities.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CalAmp Corp.. The grantee listed for this patent is CALAMP CORP.. Invention is credited to Somu Ramiah, Lloyd Wendland.
United States Patent |
9,271,190 |
Wendland , et al. |
February 23, 2016 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Remotely managed data radios including remote management
capabilities
Abstract
Systems and methods for remotely managed data radios in
accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. In
one embodiment of the invention, a remotely managed data radio
includes first and second data radio modules, wherein the first
data radio module configured to communicate on a first network
including an amount of bandwidth and a latency for a given
frequency channel, wherein the second data radio module is
configured to communicate on a second network, and wherein the
remotely managed data radio is configured to communicate
mission-critical data utilizing the first data radio module,
measure the performance of the first network using the first data
radio module, generate non-mission-critical data using the second
data radio module, where the non-mission-critical data includes the
measured performance data, and communicate the non-mission-critical
data utilizing the second data radio module, thereby preserving the
bandwidth and latency of the primary network for communicating
mission-critical data.
Inventors: |
Wendland; Lloyd (Newport Beach,
CA), Ramiah; Somu (Eden Prairie, MN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CALAMP CORP. |
Oxnard |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
CalAmp Corp. (Oxnard,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
48946010 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/307,064 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140295870 A1 |
Oct 2, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13396249 |
Feb 14, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L
41/14 (20130101); H04W 28/20 (20130101); H04W
72/10 (20130101); H04L 43/00 (20130101); H04W
88/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
72/00 (20090101); H04W 28/20 (20090101); H04L
12/24 (20060101); H04L 12/26 (20060101); H04W
72/10 (20090101); H04W 88/06 (20090101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/552.1,553.1,502.1,453,503,436-444 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Appiah; Charles
Assistant Examiner: Zhang; Edward
Attorney, Agent or Firm: KPPB LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The current application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/396,249, filed Feb. 14, 2012, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A remotely managed data radio comprising: first and second data
radio modules, wherein each data radio module comprises an antenna
module, a front end module, a processor, and storage; wherein the
first data radio module communicates on a first network; wherein
the first network comprises a train control network; wherein the
second data radio module communicates on a second network; wherein
the remotely managed data radio communicates mission-critical data
utilizing the first data radio module, wherein the mission critical
data comprises train control data; measures performance data of the
first network using the first data radio module; generates
non-mission-critical data using the second data radio module, where
the non-mission-critical data comprises the measured performance
data and data selected from the group consisting of management
data, firmware version data, configuration version data, and update
history data; and communicates the non-mission-critical data
utilizing the second data radio module.
2. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein the first
and second data radio modules are implemented using a data radio
module communicating on multiple networks.
3. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein: each data
radio module further comprises a communications module; and the
second data radio module and the first data radio module
communicates utilizing the communication modules.
4. The remotely managed data radio of claim 3, wherein the second
radio module manages the first data radio module.
5. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein the remotely
managed data radio: receives an update utilizing the second radio
module via the second network; receives at least one instruction to
apply the update via the second network using the second radio
module; and applies the update to the first data radio module in
response to the received at least one instruction.
6. The remotely managed data radio of claim 5, wherein the remotely
managed data radio reports the result of the update to the first
radio module using the second radio module via the second
network.
7. The remotely managed data radio of claim 6, wherein the remotely
managed data radio: determines if the second network is available
using the second radio module; buffers the result of the update
when the second network is unavailable; and reports the result of
the update when the second network is available using the second
radio module.
8. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein the remotely
managed data radio: determines the availability of the first
network using the first radio module; when the first network is
unavailable, communicates mission-critical data via the second
network using the second radio module; and when the first network
is available, communicates mission-critical data via the first
network using the first radio module.
9. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein: the train
control network comprises a positive train control network; and the
train control data comprises positive train control data.
10. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein the second
network is a public cellular network.
11. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein the
non-mission critical data is synchronized across a plurality of
remotely managed data radios.
12. The remotely managed data radio of claim 1, wherein: the
remotely managed data radio communicates with a data center
communicating data on both the first network and the second
network; the data center and the remotely managed data radio
communicate mission critical data utilizing the first network; and
the data center and the remotely managed data radio communicate
non-mission critical data utilizing the second network.
13. A method for operating a remotely managed data radio,
comprising: communicating mission critical data on a first network
using a remotely managed data radio, where the remotely managed
data radio comprises: first and second data radio modules, where
each data radio module comprises an antenna module, a front end
module, a processor, and storage; wherein the first data radio
module communicates on the first network, wherein the first network
comprises a train control network; wherein the second data radio
module communicates on a second network; wherein the remotely
managed data radio communicates mission-critical data utilizing the
first data radio module, wherein the mission-critical data
comprises train control data; measuring performance data of the
first network using the first data radio module; generating
non-mission-critical data using the second data radio module, where
the non-mission-critical data comprises the measured performance
data and data selected from the group consisting of management
data, firmware version data, configuration version data, and update
history data; and communicating the non-mission-critical data
utilizing the second data radio module.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving an update
utilizing the second radio module in the remotely managed data
radio via the second network; receiving an instruction via the
second network using the second radio module to apply the update;
applying the update to the first data radio module in the remotely
managed data radio; and reporting the result of the update to the
first radio module using the second radio module via the second
network.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: determining if the
second network is available using the second radio module;
buffering the result of the update if the second network is
unavailable; and reporting the result of the update when the second
network is available using the second radio module.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the result of the update
comprises the measured performance of the first network.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: communicating
mission critical data to a data center via the first network using
the remotely managed data radio, where the data center communicates
data on both the first network and the second network; and
communicating non-mission critical data to the data center via the
second network using the remotely managed data radio.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to systems and methods
for remotely managed data radios; specifically systems and methods
utilizing remotely managed data radios which preserve bandwidth
availability for mission-critical data by transmitting
non-mission-critical data on a separate network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Radio, the transmission of modulated electromagnetic waves, has
been used as a method of communication since the late 19th century.
Several different techniques are utilized to modulate radio signals
including (but not limited to) modulation techniques that utilize
variations in the amplitude, frequency, and/or phase of a radio
frequency or RF signal to communicate analog or digital data.
Radio is ideal for use as a communication method to provide remote
control and communication with persons and machinery in the field.
For example, radio communication may be utilized to implement a
positive train control system. A positive train control system
allows for location monitoring and speed tracking of trains and
allows an operator to take control of a train in the event that the
train engineer experiences difficulties. In 2008, a freight train
collided with a commuter train in the Chatsworth district of Los
Angeles, Calif. due to a distracted train engineer on the commuter
train running a red light and colliding into the freight train,
which had been given the right of way by the train dispatcher. A
positive train control device is designed to enable a train
dispatcher to remotely intervene and prevent collisions.
In many regions, cellular data networks have been established that
enable data to be transmitted and received using mobile devices
equipped with an appropriately configured data radio. Several
standards exist for cellular data, including General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),
Evolved High-speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Evolution-Data Optimized
(EVDO), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX),
and 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Systems and methods for remotely managed data radios in accordance
with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment
of the invention, a remotely managed data radio includes first and
second data radio modules, wherein the first data radio module
configured to communicate on a first network, wherein the second
data radio module configured to communicate on a second network,
wherein the remotely managed data radio is configured to
communicate mission-critical data utilizing the first data radio
module, and wherein the remotely managed data radio is configured
to communicate non-mission-critical data utilizing the second data
radio module.
In another embodiment of the invention, each data radio module
includes an antenna module, an analog front end module, a
processor, storage, and a communication module.
In an additional embodiment of the invention, the first and second
data radio modules are implemented using a data radio module is
configured to communicate on multiple networks.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the second data radio
module is configured to communicate with the first data radio
module utilizing the communication module.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention, the second radio
module is configured to manage the first data radio module.
Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a network of
remote performance systems including a plurality of networks,
including a first network and a second network, a data center
configured to communicate data on both the first network and the
second network, and a remotely managed data radio including a
plurality of data radio modules, wherein the remotely managed data
radio is configured to communicate on the first network and the
second network, wherein the data center and the remotely managed
data radio are configured to communicate mission critical data
utilizing the first network, and wherein the data center and the
remotely managed data radio are configured to communicate
non-mission critical data utilizing the second network.
In still another additional embodiment of the invention, a data
radio module includes an antenna module, an analog front end
module, a processor, storage, and a communication module.
In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the
first network is a positive train control network.
In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the second
network is a public cellular network.
Yet another embodiment of the invention includes operating a
remotely managed data radio, including communicating mission
critical data on a primary network using a remotely managed data
radio, communicating non-mission critical data on a secondary
network independent of the primary network, thereby maximizing
performance of the primary network for mission critical data using
the remotely managed data radio, and measuring performance of the
primary network using the remotely managed data radio.
In still another embodiment of the invention, operating a remotely
managed data radio includes receiving an update utilizing a
secondary radio module on the remotely managed data radio via the
secondary network, receiving an instruction via the secondary
network using the secondary radio module to apply the update,
applying the update to a primary data radio module on the remotely
managed data radio, and reporting the result of the update to the
primary radio module using the secondary radio module via the
secondary network.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention, operating a
remotely managed data radio includes determining if the secondary
network is available using the secondary radio module, buffering
the result of the update if the secondary network is unavailable,
and reporting the result of the update when the secondary network
is available using the secondary radio module.
In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the result
of the update comprises the measured performance of the first
network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for remotely managed data radios in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a data radio module in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for operating a
remotely managed data radio in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for reporting
remotely managed data radio performance information in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating updating a remotely managed
data radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for remotely
managed data radios in accordance with embodiments of the invention
are illustrated. In many embodiments, remote performance monitoring
systems are deployed to monitor conditions in the field. The
monitored conditions may include the conditions the radio is
deployed to monitor. The monitored conditions may additionally
include the performance of the remotely managed data radio and
network, such as network conditions, total bandwidth, latency,
firmware versions, and other factors. In order to enable
communication with remote performance monitoring systems deployed
in the field in a way that does not disrupt mission critical data,
the remote performance systems can include multiple radio modules
configured to communicate on independent radio networks. In many
embodiments, a first network is used for mission critical data and
a second network is used for monitoring the performance of the
remote performance monitoring system.
Radio networks have a limited bandwidth for a given frequency
channel. In many embodiments of the invention, remote performance
monitoring systems transmit mission-critical data demanding high
availability of bandwidth and/or low latency over a primary radio
network. In many embodiments of the invention, the primary radio
network is a positive train control network. Remote performance
monitoring systems also transmit and receive non-mission-critical
data. This non-mission-critical data may interfere with the
available bandwidth and/or latency of mission-critical
communications on the primary radio network. In order to preserve
bandwidth and reduce latency on the primary radio network for
mission critical data, in several embodiments of the invention, the
non-mission-critical data is transmitted over a secondary radio
network. In a number of embodiments, the secondary radio network is
a public cellular network. Remote performance systems in accordance
with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.
System Overview
Remotely managed data radios often communicate with data centers to
allow for remote monitoring and control of remote devices. A
remotely managed data radio network in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The network
10 includes a data center 100 and one or more remotely managed data
radios 106. In a number of embodiments of the invention, some of
the remotely managed data radios 106 may be in fixed locations. In
several embodiments, some of the data radios 106 may be mobile. The
data center 100 is connected to the remotely managed data radios
106 via a plurality of networks. In a number of embodiments, a
remotely managed data radio 106 includes a plurality of radio
modules for communicating on a plurality of networks. In a number
of embodiments of the invention, the plurality of networks includes
a primary network 102. In many embodiments, the primary network 102
is a positive train control network. In several embodiments, the
plurality of networks includes a secondary network 104. In many
embodiments of the invention, the secondary network is a public
cellular network.
The data center 100 exchanges mission-critical data with the
remotely managed data radios 106 utilizing the primary network 102.
The data center 100 exchanges non-mission critical data with the
remotely managed data radios 106 utilizing the secondary network
104. In many embodiments of the invention, the non-mission critical
data includes data related to the management of the remotely
managed data radio, including the remote management of firmware
updates for remotely managed data radios. In a number of
embodiments, the non-mission critical data includes active and
standby firmware and configuration versions. In several
embodiments, non-mission critical data includes manufacturing
information. In many embodiments of the invention, non-mission
critical data includes the update history of the data radio. In a
number of embodiments, the non-mission critical data includes
performance information gathered by the remotely managed data
radios 106.
Although a specific architecture of a remotely managed data radio
network is shown in FIG. 1, other implementations appropriate to a
specific application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments
of the invention including implementations that involve the
transmission of data via wired and/or wireless networks that are
not part of a positive train control network and/or a cellular
network. Data radios in accordance with embodiments of the
invention and methods of operation of the data radios are discussed
further below.
Data Radio Module
Remotely managed data radios in accordance with a number of
embodiments of the invention contain one or more data radio
modules. A data radio module in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. A data radio module 200
contains an antenna 210. In many embodiments of the invention, the
antenna is tuned to transmit and receive cellular radio signals. In
several embodiments, the antenna is tuned to transmit and receive
signals from a positive train control network. In a number of
embodiments, the antenna is tuned to transmit and receive multiple
radio signals. The antenna is connected to an analog front end 214.
The data radio module further contains a processor 216. In many
embodiments, the analog front end is implemented utilizing the
processor 216. In several embodiments, the radio module 200
contains storage 218. In a number of embodiments, the processor 216
is configured to receive and store data utilizing the storage 218.
A radio module additionally comprises a communication module 220.
In many embodiments of the invention, the communication module is
utilized to enable communication between data radio modules. In
several embodiments of the invention, the communication module is
utilized to allow management of the data radio module. In many
embodiments, the data radio module supports a low-power operating
mode. a) In a number of embodiments, a remotely managed data radio
includes a primary data radio module and a secondary data radio
module. In many embodiments of the invention, the primary data
radio module is a positive train control radio. The primary data
radio module is configured to communicate on a primary network. In
a number of embodiments, the primary network is a positive train
control network. The secondary data radio module is configured to
communicate on a secondary network. In several embodiments, the
secondary network is a public cellular network. In many embodiments
of the invention, the secondary data radio module is a Vanguard SC
Cellular Router by CalAmp, Inc. of Oxnard, Calif.
When the primary network and/or the primary data radio fails,
mission critical data can be communicated over the secondary
network by the secondary data radio. In several embodiments, the
failure of the primary network and/or primary data radio is
detected and mission-critical communications are switched to the
secondary network and secondary data radio. In this way, the
secondary network and the secondary data radio can provide
redundancy with respect to mission-critical communications until
the primary network and/or primary data radio are restored.
Although a specific architecture of a data radio module is shown in
FIG. 2, other implementations appropriate to a specific application
can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention,
including implementations that involve remotely managed data radios
comprising three or more data radio modules and data radio modules
capable of communicating on multiple networks. Methods of operation
of multiple network data radios in accordance with embodiments of
the invention are discussed further below.
Multiple Network Data Radio Operation
In operation, remotely managed data radios are configured to
transmit and receive information. A flow chart illustrating a
method of operating a remotely managed data radio in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3.
Operating 300 a remotely managed data radio involves communicating
(310) mission critical data utilizing a primary network. The
mission critical data may be transmitted or received by the
remotely managed data radio. In several embodiments, non-mission
critical data is communicated (310) to the remotely managed data
radio utilizing a secondary network. In a number of embodiments of
the invention, the non-mission critical data communicated (310) on
the secondary network includes instructions to the remotely managed
data radio. These instructions can instruct the radio to load a
particular firmware version or to remove unused or corrupted
firmware images and configuration scripts. In many embodiments of
the invention, data communicated (310) on the secondary network
includes remote debugging information.
The remotely managed data radio collects (312) data. The collected
data may be mission critical or non-mission critical data. In a
number of embodiments, the collected data is related to the network
performance. In many embodiments, the collected data is related to
the physical location of the remotely managed data radio. In
several embodiments of the invention, the collected data is related
to the coverage area of the remotely managed data radio. In a
number of embodiments, the collected data is related to the
location information of the remotely managed data radio. The
remotely managed data radio reports (314) non-mission critical data
utilizing the secondary network. In many embodiments of the
invention, the communications 310 are encrypted utilizing any of a
variety of encryption techniques.
Although a specific method for operating a remotely managed data
radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIG. 3, other methods appropriate to a specific application can be
utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Methods
for reporting performance information and updating remotely managed
data radios in accordance with embodiments of the invention are
discussed further below.
Reporting Performance Information
Remotely managed data radios in accordance with embodiments of the
invention routinely report data related to the performance of the
remotely managed data radio. This performance data can be used to
analyze and improve performance. A method for reporting performance
data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 4. A remotely managed data radio collects (410)
performance data. In several embodiments, the remotely managed data
radio may be configured to report performance data utilizing a
wireless network such as a public cellular network. However,
networks, wireless network in particular, are not always available.
This is especially true when utilizing mobile remotely managed data
radios. When the network is unavailable, data cannot be reported.
The remotely managed data radio determines the availability (412)
of the network. If the network is unavailable, the remotely managed
data radio archives (414) the performance data. When the network
becomes available, the remotely managed data radio reports (416)
the performance data.
In many embodiments of the invention, the collection (410) of
performance data involves a secondary data radio module polling a
primary data radio module for data. In a number of embodiments, the
reporting of performance data is in response to a request for
performance data. In several embodiments, the reporting of
performance data is performed according to a schedule. In many
embodiments, the reporting of performance data occurs when there is
data to report or when a request for a report is received by either
the primary or the secondary data radio module.
Although a specific method for reporting performance data utilizing
a remotely managed data radio in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention is shown in FIG. 4, other methods appropriate to a
specific application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments
of the invention. Methods for updating data radios in accordance
with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.
Data Radio Update
From time to time, remotely managed data radios may need firmware
or configuration updates. For remote performance systems installed
in distant or difficult to reach locations, it may be prohibitively
time consuming or dangerous to send a technician out in the field
to manage a remotely managed data radio. A method for updating a
remotely managed data radio in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. The update process 500 involves
receiving (510) an update. In many embodiments, the update is
received over a secondary network. In a number of embodiments, the
update is a firmware update or an updated configuration. In many
embodiments of the invention, the update is stored (512) for later
processing. In several embodiments, the remotely managed data radio
receives an update command (514). The update command (514) may be
synchronized across a plurality of data radios. The remotely
managed data radio applies (516) the update. In a number of
embodiments of the invention, the data radio reports (518) the
result of the update.
A remotely managed data radio may contain a primary data radio
module and a secondary data radio module connected to a primary
network and a secondary network respectively. In several
embodiments of the invention, the update may be received (510) and
stored (512) by the secondary data radio module utilizing the
secondary network. The update command (514) is received by the
secondary data radio module utilizing the secondary network, which
instructs the secondary data ratio to update (516) the primary data
radio module. The secondary radio module then reports (518) the
results of the update of the primary data radio module. In a number
of embodiments of the invention, the report (518) is communicated
by one or more methods, including, but not limited to, a web
service call, email, SMS, or RPC.
Although a specific method for updating a remotely managed data
radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 5, other methods appropriate to a specific
application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the
invention.
Although the present invention has been described in certain
specific aspects, many additional modifications and variations
would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to
be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise
than specifically described without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present
invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and
not restrictive.
* * * * *