ORNL/DOE WIRELESS APPLICATIONS Technology Background

1
ORNL/DOEWIRELESS APPLICATIONS Technology
Background Implementations
Steve Smith Engineering Science Technology
Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory
2
OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Highly Integrated...
16 GHz Microtransmitter
Custom ASIC Design Custom Analog and Digital
Circuit Design Custom RF System Design
2 mm
915 MHz Spread Spectrum Telesensor
10 mm
3
OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Miniature Power Source Technologies

• Target - Complete Long Lasting Power Source in AA
  Size Package
• Consisting of at least 1 Power Source Logic 1
  Battery (Storage)
• System accommodates sustaining battery life from
  any power source technology.
• Two Power Source Technologies Are Being Pursued
• Miniature Continuous Hydrogen Production
• Miniature Helium-Ion Source

Miniature Helium-Ion Voltaic (2)
02
PEM (4)
H2
Miniature Sustainable Hydrogen Production (1)
Scavenged Power Source
(1)Hydrogen - IC Personnel Working With Patent
Holders From Chem Tech Div at ORNL (2)Helium-Ion
- IC Developing Technology (3)Logic - Multiple
Power Source Charger ASIC tested Fuel-cell
control logic in future (4)Permeable Emission
Membrane
Power Condition/ Recharge and Control Logic (3)
4
OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Marines/TRSS
Remote Monitoring Site
UAV
Mobile Monitoring Site
IEEE P1451.3
Ad Hoc Network
Existing DOD Network
IEEE P1451.3 Network Area
IC-Richard Crutcher NSPO-George Singleton
Phase 1 completed - 00 Other phases to follow
5
RF Communications Technology is Vitalfor Mission
Success

• Higher Bands (up to THz)
• LOS Area Relays
• Spread-Spectrum Signaling
• LPI/LPD/Prioritized
• Hybrid (DS/FH/TH)
• Ultrawideband(shaped)
• Synchronized Networks
• Command/operations
• Inter-service coordination
• Random Networks
• Tactical communications
• Remote sensor telemetry
• Smart Devices
• Low power consumption
• Infrequent transmissions
• Autoconfiguring nets

Signature Management
C3
6
Mixed Tethered-Wireless 1451.3 Reference Demo
Host
915 TBIM
Wireless Apps DOE/OIT DoD Industrial Medical
E t h e r n e t
915 TBIM
915 TBC
4Q00
1Q01
Tethered Apps IEEE 1451.3 NASA
800 TBC
For Tethered TBIM add Sync and Pwr Recovery
For Tethered TBC add Sync Tx and Pwr Coupler
800 TBIM
800 TBIM
915 - Wireless units operating in the 902-928 MHz
ISM Band 800 - Tethered units operating in the
800-900 MHz Cell-Phone Band
Mike Moore, Mark Buckner, Steve Smith
7
Recent ORNL Industrial and MilitaryWireless
Applications

• Steel mill process monitor (DOE-OIT)
• Wood products paper plant (DOE-OIT)
• U. S. Navy Smart Ship (The Sullivans)
• U.S. Marines Unmanned Ground Sensors (UGS)
  Program
• U. S. Army Future Combat Systems (FCS)
• NRC (nuclear power plants) Reprocessing
• USEC Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant

8
Harsh RF Environments are Key

• High/low Temperatures (-40 to 85C)
• Wood-Drying Ovens (180F - 250F/100 RH)
• Multipath-intensive (steel mills, merchant ships,
  Navy vessels, chemical plants, refineries,
  reprocessing cells, power-generating plants)
• RF Interference (Cell phones, pagers, WLANs, arc
  furnaces, welders, motors, radios, HV
  distribution lines, transformers)

9
Wireless Systems Must Overcome User Biases

• MUST BE A RELIABLE SYSTEM - from sensor input to
  user display
• EMC - neither cause interference nor be
  susceptible to other wireless systems.
• Easy to install and use
• Needs to seamlessly integrate into plant
  operations without extensive training or high
  installation costs or complexity.

10
General Criteria from ORNL Applications
11
ORNL is Helping Future Nuclear Power Plants To
Combine Sensor Networks and Asset Tracking
12
Spread-Spectrum IEEE 1451.3 Protocol Demo
Data Screen
Closeup of Transceiver
Control Screen
ORNL RF Test Site
13
Key Requirements Identified

• Operate Unattended - Reduced cost of deployment
  and maintenance
• self-configuring,
• self starting,
• self healing
• Support Legacy Systems - Sensors and networks,
  open standards (1451)
• Operate in Industrial Environment - temperature,
  dust, vibration, multipath

14
Features Documented in DOE Wireless Architecture
Spec

• Architecture - DSSS, CDMA, peer-to-peer,
  hierarchical, dynamic
• Testbed - IEEE 1451 (Smart Sensor) compliant,
  Performance metrics established
• Path Forward - smaller footprint, higher
  performance, third-party support

15
Measurement Provided to Existing Industrial
Network
16
Modular Design For Reuse
ORNL System for DOE/OIT Program
17
DOE Wireless Industrial Demo System

• Standards - IEEE 1451, Ethernet
• Communication - Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum
• 915-MHz band
• Robust - gt140 feet in Bowater paper mill (SE
  Tenn.)

18
Our Path is Clear

• Groundbreaking work in
• Wireless protocols
• Mixed-signal ASICs
• Low-power Designs

10 cm (4 inches)
3.3 mm (1/8 inch)
19
Our Project Highlighted in April 2000 Issue of
Sensors Magazine
20
Follow-up Article in April 2001 Stressed Wireless
Sensor Issues
21
The Future The Sensor IS the Network
22
Embedding Classes of Functions for Information
Abstraction
Internal Signals
Analog Proc.
Learning
Digitizer
Stochastic
Reasoning
Analog Signals
Economics
Association
Probability
Intuition
Model- Based
Digital Signals
Digital Proc.
Other Sensors
-Classes of Processing Functions -Extract
Information from the Data
-Classes of Abstracting Functions for
Decision and Control
External Comm.
Users
DATA
INFORMATION
KNOWLEDGE
23
Electrically Readable Microcantilever Arrays -
Key to Low-cost, low-power sensing platform

• Utilizing arrays of microcantilevers on a single
  chip with customized coatings to produce
  application-specific programmable sensors
• At least four companies have products based on
  cantilever technology
• Develop stable coatings for carbon dioxide and
  humidity
• Create platform for future gases like NOx, SOx,
  and CO

Coating
Polysilicon beam
Beam anchor
Bottom poly plate
Substrate
24
Multiple-sensor spread-spectrum telemetry
architecture
INTELLIGENT BUILDING SENSOR PLATFORM
Sensors front-end signal processing
Digitization, control, spreading-code
generation
AC line interface
RF transmitter
RF FREQ. SYNTHESIZER
PWR LINE
CLOCK
TEMP SENSOR
CONTROL DATA PROCESSING
MUX AMP
LINE COUPLER
SPREAD CODE GEN.
RH SENSOR
RF AMP
ADC
TRANSMIT MIXER/ MODULATOR
IR MOTION SENSOR
EXTERNAL PROGRAMMING INTERFACE
CO2 SENSOR
25
Solar-Powered IR Bee-Tracking Transmitter
CMOS Controller Chip
Laser Diode
Solar Cells
26
Solar-Powered IR Bee-Tracking Transmitter
Block Diagram
CMOS Chip
Wake-up Circuit Timer
Diode Driver
Capacitor
Solar Cell Array
Buffer
Laser Diode
27
The integration of sensors with the wireless
technology is still in its infancy...

• High-quality wireless sensors do not exist today
  on the commercial market
• Premium -grade analog sensor integration will be
  more difficult than just plug and play - good
  understanding of device physics is required
• Low-noise, high resolution, and high reliability
  sensor integration also requires special
  transmission techniques (spread spectrum)

28
Spread spectrum is vastly superior to traditional
RF communication methods

• Highly resistant to interference and multipath
  effects
• Permits multiple-access channels and ranging
  functions
• Provides high security (encryption) at modest
  cost
• Five special frequency bands have been allocated
  by the FCC for license-free use

29
DIRECT-SEQUENCE SPREAD-SPECTRUM SIGNALS
PN Clock
Local PN Clock
PN Sequence Generator
PN Sequence Generator
Local Carrier
Carrier

• 1

• 1

Data
Wide BP Filter
Narrow BP Filter
Phase Demod
Data
Data Clock

• 1

Power Spectral Density
Power Spectral Density
Power Spectral Density
Spread RFI
RFI
fc
fc
fc
Frequency
Frequency
Frequency
Original narrowband, high power density spectrum
is restored if local PN sequence is same as and
lined up with received PN sequence
Spectrum has wider bandwidth and lower power
density after spreading with PN sequence
(PN Rate gtgt Data Rate)
Narrow spectrum at output of modulator before
spreading
30
MULTIPATH PROPAGATION
LONG-PATH REFLECTION
TRANS.
RCVR.
SHORT-PATH REFL.

• Differential delays are approx. 1 ns per foot

• Short-path delays (indoors) are typically lt 0.1ms

• Spread-spectrum modulation can largely cancel
  long-path effects

ORNL is developing new techniques to mitigate
short-path degradations
31
Typical Indoor RF Delay Profile
32
Typical Outdoor RF Delay Profile(hilly terrain)
33
Error Probability vs. Multipath(b relative
multipath amplitude)

• Error rate is strongly dependent on relative
  magnitude of secondary-path signals
• Signal equalization can be very useful in
  achieving low data error rates

34
ORNL Wireless Telesensor Chip
Spread- Spectrum Gen.
VCO/PLL
ADC
Mixer
Voltage Ref.
RF Amp
Control Logic
Temp. Sensors
Process 0.5-m H-P
Size 3.1 mm sq.
35
Multiple-sensor proof-of-principle device
INTELLIGENT WIRELESS SENSOR
ANT
TEMP SENSOR 1
FREQ. SYNTHE- SIZER
TEMP SENSOR 2
CONTROL DATA LOGIC
MUX AMP
SPREAD GEN
RF AMP
ADC
MIXER
EXT. 1
EXT. 2
Sensors front-end signal processing
Digitization, control, spreading-code
generation
RF transmitter
Antenna
WIRTX1
36
Advanced Wireless Telesensor Chip
Spread- Spectrum Gen.
VCO/PLL
ADC
Mixer
Voltage Ref.
RF Amp
Temp. Sensors
Optical Detector
Control Logic
Optical Data Interface
Process 0.5-m H-P
Size 3.3 mm sq.
37
2nd multiple-sensor proof-of-principle device
INTELLIGENT WIRELESS SENSOR
ANT
IEEE 1451 ID DATA FORMATS
FREQ. SYNTHE- SIZER
TEMP SENSOR 1
TEMP SENSOR 2
CONTROL DATA LOGIC
MUX AMP
SPREAD GEN
RF AMP
ADC
MIXER
OPTICAL SENSOR
OPTICAL SENSOR
OPTICAL PROGRAMMING INPUT CIRCUITRY
EXT. IN
Sensors front-end signal processing
Digitization, control, spreading-code
generation
RF transmitter
Antenna
WIRTX2
38
ORNL Wireless Telesensor System

Spread-Spectrum Demo Receiver with Laptop
Computer Display
Layout View of Advanced Multi-sensor ASIC
Transmitter Chip Test Module
39
Multiple-sensor transceiver architecture
INTELLIGENT WIRELESS TELESENSOR
Sensors front-end signal processing
Digitization, control, spreading-code
generation
RF transmitter
Antenna
FREQ. SYNTHE- SIZER
OPTICAL PROGRAMMING INTERFACE
TEMP SENSOR
CONTROL DATA LOGIC
MUX AMP
T/R
SPREAD GEN.
RF AMP
OPTICAL SENSOR
ADC
TX MIXER
EXT. 1
RX MIXER
CHIP/DATA SYNCHRON-IZATION
EXT. 2
CORRELATOR
LNA
IF AMP
Spread-Spectrum Receiver
Existing circuits
Under development
40
Advanced Processing Methods for Robust Signal
Transmission

• Hybrid SS (DS/FH)
• Standard or secure codes
• Optimized quadrature modulation schemes
• Bidirectional systems support sensor polling,
  field verification, calibration, adaptive
  sensitivity control
• Smart networking

• Receivers use direct down-conversion for
  efficiency
• Diversity antennas reduce RF dropouts
• Loop, patch, wire antennas utilized as required
• Redundant units for critical applications
• IDs, access control easily implemented

41
Advanced Wireless Sensor Networks
Imminent and Future Capabilities

• Multiple low-power information-parsing
  intelligent sensors will provide efficient area
  status assessments with fewer personnel.
• Adaptive bidirectional spread-spectrum
  transmission with dynamic routing control assures
  high data integrity and security.
• Design-in of industrial (IEEE 1451) interface
  standards fosters development of advanced COTS
  technologies for lower costs.
• Advanced bidirectional sensor networking features
  include
• Sensor polling/verification and remote
  calibration/reconfiguration.
• Robust, smart information-flow architecture for
  optimum human interfacing/data utilization.
• Automatic response to facility damage, altered
  equipment configurations, emergency situations.
• Dynamic device/system data bandwidth management
  accommodates varying network traffic levels,
  rates, and priorities.

42
RF Tags Related TechnologiesAreas of Oak Ridge
Expertise

• Communications/RF Systems for Special
  Applications
• Miniaturized RF/EM Instrumentation
• Difficult RF Environments
• Security Systems Design
• Modulation and Coding Techniques
• Spread-Spectrum Techniques (Standard Secure)
• Advanced Error-Control Methodologies for Reliable
  Communications
• Monolithic Analog, Digital, and RF Circuitry (Si,
  GaAs, InP)
• Small-Aperture Custom Antennas and Arrays
• Smart RF Network Configurations
• Microminiature Sensors and Sensor Arrays
• EM/EMP/Environmental Effects on Electronic Systems

43
Chemical Container Tag
Block Diagram
ID DATA STORAGE
CONTROLLER
RECEIVER
ANTENNA
S-S CODE GENERATOR
COUPLER
MUX
ADC
TRANSMITTER
ASIC
T
P
H2
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
INTERNAL SENSORS
44
Asset Location Monitoring System
Tag/Transponder Location Signal Flow Diagram
RX 1
RX 3
RX 4
RX 2
Central Processor Display
45
RF CID Parts Container Concept and Layout
Plant Shipping
Assembly Area
Parts Storage Area
Plant Receiving
Office Area
tag reader
Containers w/ parts
Supplier 1
Supplier 3
Tag programmer/reader
46
Typical Medical Telesensor Device Operation
Wireless monitoring of vital signs permits better
care, faster recoveries, lower costs!
ORNL RF Transmitter ASIC
ORNL Data-Acquisition ASIC
47
Physiological Monitor Combat Casualty Care

• Vital Signs Telemetry (Tc, Ts, HR, BP, RR, pO2,
  pH, NO)
• Injury/Shock Recognition Assessment
• Physiological Readiness Determination
  (Breathalyzer)
• Stress Measurement Soldier Personal Condition
  Alarms
• Correlation with Exoskeleton/Armor Breach
  Detection

48
Typical OFW Personal MonitorBlock Diagram
Soldier Sensors
Spread-Spectrum RF Transceiver
Antenna
TLP
TUP
TC
HR
TX
RF Amplifier Upconverter/ Downconverter
RF TRX/DDS Chip
System Processor
pO2
RX
BP
RR
RCh
Others
49
SiGe Functional Blocks

• Receiver front-end low-noise amplifier (LNA)
• RF transmitter high-efficiency output power
  amplifier stage with matching network
• Low phase-noise local oscillator stage ( for RX
  and TX applications)
• Low-noise RF phase detectors
• Single-ended and balanced-differential circuit
  configurations
• Targeted frequency bands 2.45 and 5.8 GHz

50
Bandwidth-Efficient Coding Methods

• Multistate digital modulations permit higher data
  rates (up to gt20 bits/Hz) but require higher
  signal-to-noise in channel versus standard binary
  types
• LOS channels are nearly ideal -- no multipath,
  only well defined (Gaussian-like) noise processes

• Advanced data decoding schemes (e.g.,
  Viterbi) are presently achievable
  in mixed-mode CMOS chip implementations for high
  data rates (100s of Mbits/s)
• New IC technologies like SiGe will soon permit
  optical/RF link data rates of 1-3 GHz

51
Ultrawideband Research at ORNL

• Based on Gaussian-derivative pulse shaping.
• Spectrum has significantly less energy at low
  frequencies -- will cause less interference to
  existing RF services (e.g., GPS, DTV).
• Multiple orthogonal pulses for parallel channels.
• Each pulse train (derivative order) may be
  independently modulated high diversity signal.
• Spectrum may be adaptively shaped as needed.
• Implementation via SiGe, GaAs, or InP chips.
• U. S. Patent application filed September 1999.

52
Sensor types under development

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Gas flow
• Acceleration
• Capacitance
• Proximity
• Optical (visible IR)
• Neutron

• Photon (gamma)
• Acoustic
• Seismic
• Magnetic
• RF fields
• Chemical (Hg, Pb,VOCs)
• Humidity
• Conductivity

53
Proposed 1451.3 Bus Architecture
54
Mixed Tethered-Wireless 1451.3, 1451.5 Details
Host

• Proposing PHY for P1451.5
• Deployed 1451 Prototype for
• DOE/OIT

915 TBIM
E t h e r n e t
915 TBIM
915 TBC
?Oak Ridge National Laboratory
7 MHz TBIM
7 MHz TBIM
7 MHz TBC
Phone-line Physical Medium

• HPNA PHY for 1451.3
• CRADA Development

TBC
Other Proposed Physical Media
TBIM
TBIM
55
ORNL Standards Work

• The IEEE 1451.3 Standard is needed to establish a
  strong industry convergence point to support
  integrated broad-scale synchronous sensors
  systems for industrial and government
  applications.
• Spread-spectrum coding modulation techniques
  can add significant capacity to the proposed
  architecture scheme.
• A flexible, adaptable, expandable tiered
  approach will permit orderly, cost-effective
  migration of 1451.3 smart sensor systems from
  small, simple setups to very large arrays.

56
... In Summary

• ORNL is establishing a strong position in
  integrated wireless sensors systems for
  government, medical, and industrial applications.
• Spread-spectrum coding modulation studies are
  leading to several patent applications.
• ORNL involvement in IEEE standards efforts in
  smart sensor protocol work (P1451) is
  strengthening case for industry-wide formats.
• Future for wireless systems is very promising.