BR112020025326A2 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN UNDERGROUND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

"systems and methods for an improved underground wireless communication system" the present invention relates to systems and methods for obtaining environmental telemetry readings from within an electromagnetic absorption material. the system can include an independent power supply providing power to a switching mode amplifier to drive a multiturn coil to be driven with a low frequency carrier.

Description

Invention Patent Descriptive Report for "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN UNDERGROUND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM".

CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED REQUESTS

[001] This application is a continuation in part of US Patent Application No. 16 / 009,192, filed on June 14, 2018, which is a continuation in part of US Patent Application No. 15 / 614,945, filed on June 6 2017, which is partly a continuation of US Patent Application No. 14 / 813,083, filed on July 29, 2015; which claims the benefit and priority for U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 030,559, filed on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,566, deposited on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,568, filed on July 29, 2014; and 62 / 030,573, filed on July 29, 2014, and is partly a continuation of US Patent Application No. 14 / 813,087, filed on July 29, 2015, which claims the benefit and priority for the Patent Application Provisional US No. 62 / 030,559, filed on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,566, deposited on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,568, filed on July 29, 2014, and 62 / 030,573, filed on July 29, 2014, and is partly a continuation of US Patent Application No. 14 / 813,099, filed on July 29, 2015, which claims the benefit and priority for US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 030,559, filed on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,566, deposited on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,568, filed on July 29, 2014, and 62 / 030,573, filed on July 29, 2014, and is part of a continuation of US Patent Application No. 14 / 813,107, filed on July 29, 2015, which claims the benefit and priority for US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 030,559, filed on July 29, 2014;

62 / 030,566, deposited on July 29, 2014; 62 / 030,568, deposited on July 29, 2014; and 62 / 030,573, filed on July 29, 2014, whose disclosures in full are incorporated by reference in this document.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

[002] The present invention relates to obtaining environmental readings from within an electromagnetic absorption material. Description of the Related Art

[003] Detecting environmental conditions within an electromagnetic absorbing material (eg, soil, concrete, water) is desired in a variety of applications, including agriculture. Although several types of sensors are available to measure environmental conditions within a material, communicating data from the sensors outside the material can be challenging. Using a wired connection can be successful, but wires are undesirable or impractical in many applications. For example, in agricultural applications, the wires are easily broken or damaged by rodent activity or by cultivation / harvesting operations. In other applications, the use of wired connections is undesirable due to the potential for vandalism, appearance or other reasons. Although the use of wireless connection has been proposed to alleviate some of these problems, numerous challenges have prevented practical commercial application. These challenges may include: inadequate range of communications due to the attenuation of the propagation of electromagnetic waves (particularly in an electromagnetic absorption material), unreliable operation due to changes in the electromagnetic characteristics of the material, large sizes of equipment / antennas that are incompatible with the easy installation / removal of buried sensors and excessive energy consumption incompatible with long-term or battery operation.

SUMMARY

[004] Systems and methods are described to obtain environmental readings from inside an electromagnetic absorption material. In some embodiments, a system includes an environmental sensor and a modulator coupled to the environmental sensor. The modulator encodes data from the sensor on a carrier having a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz. The system also includes a switching mode amplifier powered by an independent power supply. The switching mode amplifier amplifies the carrier which is coupled to a multiturn coil with a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters. The multiturn coil has a reactance at the carrier frequency that is part of a frequency dependent load network coupled to the amplifier to minimize the current and electrical voltage during the switching transients of the switching mode amplifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] Characteristics, aspects and modalities are described together with the attached drawings.

[006] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a modality of a system to collect, analyze and dynamically regulate garden parameters.

[007] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a modality of a system to collect, analyze and dynamically regulate garden parameters.

[008] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a modality of a process to collect, analyze and dynamically regulate garden parameters.

[009] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating a modality of a control system.

[0010] Figure 4B is a flow chart illustrating a modality of a process for making plant recommendations.

[0011] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a computing environment including a computing device suitable for use in some modalities.

[0012] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a sensor platform.

[0013] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a sensor component to measure the resistance of a soil.

[0014] Figure 8 illustrates an example of a modality for collecting garden parameters.

[0015] Figure 9 illustrates an example of a modality for performing sensor measurements.

[0016] Figure 10A illustrates an example of a system for measuring AC signals using CD meters.

[0017] Figure 10B illustrates another example of a system for measuring AC signals using CD meters.

[0018] Figure 11 describes a method for measuring soil characteristics.

[0019] Figure 12 presents an example of an application for soil monitoring.

[0020] Figure 13 shows an example of a transmission or receiving coil structure.

[0021] Figure 14 describes a method for tracking sensor locations.

[0022] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating a modality of a telemetry system.

[0023] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating an illustrative implementation of a telemetry system.

[0024] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating an illustrative modulator coupled to an illustrative switching mode amplifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A detailed description of one or more modalities is provided below, along with the accompanying figures. Several specific details are set out in the description that follows, in order to provide a complete understanding of the invention. These details are provided for example purposes and the invention can be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. Installation and Configuration

[0026] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a modality of a System 100 to collect, analyze and dynamically adjust the parameters of the garden. Although the term "garden" is used throughout this document, it should be understood that the systems and methods described in this document are applicable and can be used in any area or location where plants are grown or to be grown, including, but not limited to, not limited to orchards, farms, vineyards, lawns, nurseries, planters, fields, parks, etc. In addition, the systems and methods described in this document are applicable and can be used for other applications where monitoring embedded in a material can be useful, such as monitoring curing cement or water conditions near a dam, under the bed of the dam. road, on a dike, etc. As shown in Figure 1, in some of the modalities described in this document, System 100 can comprise a Cloud Platform 110, which can communicate with Router 120 via Network 130. In various modalities, Network 130 can be the

Internet and may include WANs, LANs, or Wired or Wired PANs. In some of the modalities described in this document, Router 120 can also communicate with Sensor 140 or with Controller 150. In several modalities, Router 120 can communicate with Sensor 140 or with Controller 150 via an unused connection. wires. In several modalities, Router 120 can communicate with Sensor 140 or Controller 150 using a Wi-Fi connection. It should be understood that in several other modalities of System 100 not shown in Figure 1, router 120 can communicate with any appropriate, necessary or desired number (for example, two or more) of sensors (for example, sensor 140) or of controllers (for example, controller 150). It should also be understood that Controller 150 is optional and in some modalities of System 100 not shown in Figure 1, System 100 can operate without Controller 150. Finally, it must be understood that, in several modalities, the functionalities of Sensor 140 and Controller 150 can be integrated into a single device or hybrid device.

[0027] In several modalities, Sensor 140 can be configured to receive one or more measurements in order to generate Data 160. For example, in several modalities, Sensor 140 may be able to measure temperature, light and humidity. Meanwhile, in various modalities, Data 160 can include at least one garden parameter in real time, including, but not limited to, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil temperature, soil pH, external temperature, external humidity and exposure to light. In various modalities, Sensor 140 can be configured to take measurements according to a predetermined or dynamic schedule or frequency. In addition, in several modalities, Sensor 140 can also be configured to transmit Data 160 to Router 120. In some modalities, data 160 can be transmitted to router 120 in real time. In other embodiments, data 160 can be transmitted to router 120 at predefined intervals (for example, hourly, daily, weekly) or at variable intervals, which can change dynamically based on one or more factors, such as user input or the frequency of measurements taken by Sensor 140.

[0028] In some embodiments, Controller 150 can be configured to control Sprinkler Valve 170. In various embodiments, controller 150 can receive signals from router 120 that include commands or instructions for opening and closing Valve 170. In In various modalities, based on the instructions from router 120, controller 150 can then instruct Valve 170 to open or close. In some embodiments, Valve 170 can be a solenoid valve, a type of valve that is commonly found in various residential and commercial sprinkler systems. In some embodiments, Controller 150 may be particularly suitable for controlling solenoid valves. In some embodiments, Controller 150 can directly cause Valve 170, a solenoid valve, to open and close by modulating the electrical current that controls the valve. Thus, in some modalities, Controller 150 does not operate by regulating the water supply to Valve 170, but by modulating an electric current. Advantageously, in some embodiments, since Controller 150 can modulate electrical signals instead of water flow to Valve 170, Controller 150 can be installed quickly and effortlessly, without interrupting any of the existing piping connected to Valve 170 In some embodiments, Controller 150 can be installed as an addition to an existing conventional sprinkler control system. In several modalities, Controller 150 and Valve 170 can be integrated into a single device or hybrid device.

[0029] In several modalities, Router 120 can be configured to communicate with Cloud Platform 110 through Network 130. In several modalities, Router 120 can be configured to transmit data to the Cloud Platform

110. As discussed earlier, in several modalities, Router 120 can receive Data 160 (for example, garden parameters) from Sensor 140. In several modalities, Router 120 can then transmit Data 160 to the Cloud Platform

110. In several modalities, Router 120 can also be configured to receive 161 Data from the Cloud Platform

110. As discussed earlier, Router 120 can transmit signals to Controller 150. In particular, Router 120 can transmit signals by directing Controller 150 to cause Valve 170 to open and close. In various modalities, router 120 can transmit to the Controller 150 signals it receives from Cloud Platform 110. In various modalities, Cloud Platform 110 can analyze data, such as Data 160, in order to determine or generate Data 161 For example, in some modalities, the Cloud Platform 110 can analyze various garden parameters (for example, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil temperature, soil pH, outside temperature, outside humidity, light exposure) for determine whether or when to turn on (or turn off) Valve 170. In various embodiments, Data 161 may include data that is generated by applying one or more statistical analysis techniques to Data 160, including, but not limited to, extrapolating, interpolating, calculate the average or segment the Data 160. In some modalities, the Cloud Platform 110 can still receive the Data 162. In several modalities, the Data 162 can come from any appropriate source or sources and can include relevant additional data, such as the weather forecast. In some embodiments, Data 162 may include historical data and collective data (for example, past or present garden parameters from multiple users). In some modalities, Data 161 may include possible future parameters of the predicted garden based, at least in part, on Data 160 and Data 162. In various modalities, Data 162 may also include user input, such as instructions, commands and any other appropriate types of user feedback. For example, in various modalities, users may be able to enter and transmit to the Cloud Platform 110, real-life observations (for example, soil moisture, plant health) and, as will be discussed in more detail below, preferences (e.g., preferred plans, budgets). In various modalities, Cloud Platform 110 can generate or determine Data 161 based on an analysis of one or both Data 160 and Data 162.

[0030] In addition to Router 120, Figure 1 also shows that in various modalities, Cloud Platform 110 can also communicate with Device 181 and Device 182 via the Network

130. In various embodiments, Devices 181 and 182 may be any appropriate type of computing and communication device, including, but not limited to, a smartphone, tablet PC or personal computer. In various modalities, each of Device 181 and Device 182 may be able to host Application 190. For example, in some modalities, users can download and install Application 190 on their respective devices of choice (for example, Device 181, Device 182). In various ways, Application 190 can allow multiple users to communicate with the Cloud Platform 110, including by sending, receiving and otherwise interacting with various types of data. In particular, in some modalities, the Cloud Platform 110 may be able to collect and analyze data, such as Data 160, from different gardens and for long periods of time. Additionally, in some modalities, the Cloud Platform 110 can follow the current condition of one or both of Controller 150 and Valve 170. Thus, in various modalities, users can use Application 190 to interact (for example, view ) with current, historical and collective data sets.

[0031] In various modalities, users can also use Application 190 to see the current condition of their respective sprinkler systems (for example, whether Valve 170 is open or closed). In various modalities, the Cloud Platform 110 can transmit one or more alerts, notifications or recommendations to the user via Application 190. For example, based on Data 160 (for example, garden parameters measured by Sensor 140) and Data 162 (for example, historical data and collective data from different users, climate, predicted garden parameters, user inputs, etc.), Cloud Platform 110 can generate and transmit to the user an alert, notification or recommendation that instructs the user to perform one or more actions in order to reach some parameters of the garden. In various modalities, the Cloud Platform 110 can recommend actions, such as adding additives (for example, fertilizers to change the pH or salinity in the soil), applying mulch (for example, to control the humidity level and temperature of the soil). soil) and cover plants (for example, to encourage a more humid environment).

[0032] In some modalities, Application 190 may provide one or more options for users to change or replace the current condition of their respective irrigation systems. That is, in some modalities, a user may request, through Application 190, that Controller 150 forcibly close Valve 170. However, as previously described, it must be understood that System 100 can, in several modalities, also operate without the Controller 150. In some embodiments, Controller 150 is optional equipment. In those modalities where Controller 150 is not installed or is not in use, instead of sending commands or instructions to Controller 150 to turn (and turn off) Valve 170, Cloud Platform 110 can transmit alerts, notifications or recommendations to the Device 181 or Device 182 instructing the user to manually turn on (and off) Valve 170.

[0033] Irrigation systems are usually installed based on a multi-zone paradigm. That is, a planted area (for example, garden, lawn, field, golf course) is divided into different zones and each sprinkler valve (or group of sprinkler valves) in the sprinkler system is designated to serve a separate zone. Since each sprinkler valve (for example, Valve 170) may require a separate controller (for example, Controller 150) in the various modalities of System 100 described in relation to Figure 1, System 100 is ideally suited for an area planted with a relatively small number (for example, two or less) zones. However, System 100 can be used for a planted area with any number of zones.

[0034] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a modality of a System 200 to collect, analyze and dynamically adjust the parameters of the garden. In various modalities, System 200 is ideally suited for a planted area with a greater number of zones (for example, more than two), although it can also be used for a planted area with fewer zones.

As shown in Figure 2, in some of the modalities described in this document, System 200 can comprise a Cloud Platform 210, which can communicate with a Wireless Router 220 via Network 230. In the meantime, according to Figure 2, in some of the modalities described in this document, Router 220 can still communicate with a Concentrator (Hub) 240. In several modalities, Concentrator 240 can be enabled for Wi-Fi and can communicate with Router 220 via a Wi-Fi link.

In several modalities, the Concentrator 240 can also communicate with the Sensor 250. In several modalities, the Concentrator 240 and the Sensor 250 can be able to communicate through a low-power, sub-GHz link.

In some embodiments, the Concentrator 240 can communicate with the Sensor 250 via a 900 MHz long distance radio link.

In contrast to System 110, which was described in relation to Figure 1, in various modalities of System 200, Sensor 250 may not be necessary to communicate directly with Router 220 over a Wi-Fi link.

Instead, in various modalities of System 200, Concentrator 240 can act as a broker or intermediary that centralizes the communication of various types of data between Router 220 and Sensor 250. In the various modalities of System 200, Sensor 250 only it may be necessary to communicate data over a link below low GHz.

Advantageously, in the various modalities of System 200, Sensor 250 can be more energy efficient than a Wi-Fi enabled counterpart, such as Sensor 140 described in relation to Figure 1. It should be understood that, although not shown in Figure 2, in several other modalities of System 200, Concentrator 240 can communicate with any appropriate, necessary or desired number (for example, two or more) of sensors (for example, Sensor 250). It should also be understood that Concentrator 240 is optional and in some modalities of System 200 not shown in Figure 2, System 200 operates without Controller 150.

[0035] In several modalities, Sensor 250 can communicate with Concentrator 240 including by transmitting Data 260 to Concentrator 240. In several modalities, Data 260 can be generated by Sensor 250 based on or using one or more measurements taken Sensor 250 (for example, temperature, humidity, light). In various modalities, Data 260 can include at least one garden parameter in real time, including, but not limited to, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil temperature, soil pH, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity and exposure the light. In various modalities, the Sensor 250 can be configured to take measurements according to a predetermined or dynamic schedule or frequency and to transmit Data 260 to Concentrator 240 in real time or at predefined intervals (for example, hourly, daily, weekly) or at variable intervals, which can change dynamically based on one or more factors, such as user input or the frequency of measurements taken by Sensor 140.

[0036] In several modalities, Concentrator 240 can be used instead of or in place of a conventional irrigator control system due to Concentrator 240 being able to control several irrigator valves in an irrigator system. This is in contrast to the various modalities of System 100, where each valve (for example, Valve 170) may require a separate controller (for example, Controller 150). As Figure 2 illustrates, Concentrator 240 can control the operations (for example, opening and closing) of Valves 281, 282 and 283. However, it should be understood that in various modalities, Concentrator 240 can control any appropriate number, required or of valves. In various embodiments, Concentrator 240 may be able to open (or close) some or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283, including by determining and transmitting one or more control signals to the appropriate valve (s). In various modalities, Concentrator 240 can determine which of valves 281, 282 and 283 to open (or close) and when, based at least in part, on router data 261

220. As will be discussed in more detail below, in various modalities, Data 261 can originate from Cloud Platform 210. In some modalities, Data 261 may include explicit commands or instructions for Concentrator 240 to open (or close) some or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283. In some embodiments, Data 261 may include a data set that is processed in whole or in part. Thus, in various modalities, it is understood that the Concentrator 240 may be able to execute instructions (or commands) from the Cloud Platform 210 to open (or close) some or all of the Valves 281, 282 and

283. Instead or in addition, in some modalities, the Concentrator 240 may be able to analyze a data set totally or partially processed from the Cloud Platform 210 in order to generate one or more instructions (or commands) to open ( or close) any or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283.

[0037] Meanwhile, as discussed earlier, in various modalities, Concentrator 240 may be able to communicate with Cloud Platform 210 through the Router without using wires

220. In several modalities, the Concentrator 240 can be a Wi-Fi transceiver that transmits to the 220 Router various types of data destined for the Cloud Platform 210. For example, as discussed previously, in some modalities, the Concentrator

240 can receive 260 Data from Sensor 250 over a sub-GHz link (for example, 900 MHz). Thus, in some modalities, Concentrator 240 can transmit Data 260, either immediately or according to a pre-defined schedule or frequency, to Cloud Platform 210 through Router 220. Additionally, in some modalities, Concentrator 240 can be a Wi-Fi transceiver that receives from Router 220 various types of data, including Data 261, from Cloud Platform 210. In various modalities, Cloud Platform 210, such as Cloud Platform 110 discussed in In relation to Figure 1, it can analyze data, such as Data 260, in order to determine or generate Data 261. In various modalities, Cloud Platform 210 can analyze various garden parameters (for example, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil temperature, soil pH, external temperature, external humidity and exposure to light) to determine or generate data 261. In various modalities, Data 261 can include data generated by applying one or more analysis techniques statistics to Data 260, including, but not limited to extrapolating, interpolating, averaging and segmenting Data 260. In some modalities, Cloud Platform 210 may still receive Data 262. In several modalities, Data 262 may come from any appropriate source or sources and may include additional relevant data, such as the weather forecast.

In some embodiments, Data 262 may include historical data and collective data (for example, past or present garden parameters from multiple users or gardens). As will be discussed in more detail below, Data 262 may also include user input, such as instructions, commands and any appropriate user comments.

For example, in various modalities, users may be able to enter and transmit 210 real-life observations (for example, soil moisture, plant health) to the Cloud Platform and, as will be discussed in more detail below, preferences ( for example, preferential plans, budgets). In various modalities, Cloud Platform 210 can generate or determine Data 261 based on an analysis of one or both Data 260 or Data 262. In some modalities, data 261 may include possible future garden parameters predicted based at least in part in Data 260 and Data 262. In some embodiments, Cloud Platform 210 may analyze one or both Data 260 and Data 262 to determine whether and when to connect (or disconnect) any or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283. Thus, in some embodiments, Data 261 may include commands or instructions for Concentrator 240 to connect (or disconnect) some or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283. Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, Cloud Platform 210 may fully or partially analyze one or both Data 260 and Data 252, and then generate a refined, condensed, edited or otherwise processed data set based on one or both Data 260 and Data 261. Thus , in some embodiments, Data 261 may include a set of data processed wholly or partially in addition to or instead of instructions (or commands) directed towards some or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283.

[0038] In addition to router 220, Figure 2 also shows that in various modalities, Cloud Platform 210 can also communicate with Device 291 and Device 292 via the Network

230. In various embodiments, Devices 291 and 292 can be any appropriate type of computing and communication device, including, but not limited to, a smartphone, tablet PC or personal computer. In various modalities, each of Device 291 and Device 292 may be able to host Application 293. For example, in some modalities, users can download and install Application 293 on their respective devices of choice (for example, the Device 291, Device 292). In various ways, Application 293 can allow multiple users to communicate with Cloud Platform 210, including by sending, receiving and otherwise interacting with various types of data. In particular, in some modalities, the Cloud Platform 210 may be able to collect and analyze data, such as Data 260, from different gardens and for long periods of time. Additionally, in some modalities, the Cloud Platform 210 can follow, directly or via Concentrator 240, the current condition of Valves 281, 282 and 283. Thus, in various modalities, users can use the 293 Application to interact with (for example, example) view) current, historical and collective data sets.

[0039] In various modalities, users can also use Application 293 to receive updates on the current condition of their respective sprinkler systems (for example, if some or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283 are open or closed). In various modalities, the Cloud Platform 210 can also transmit one or more alerts, notifications or recommendations to the user via Application 293. For example, based on Data 260 (for example, the garden parameters measured by Sensor 140) and the Data 262 (for example, historical data and collective data from different users, predicted garden parameters and user inputs), Cloud Platform 210 can generate and transmit to the user an alert, notification or recommendation that instructs the user to perform a or more actions in order to achieve some garden parameters. In various modalities, the Cloud Platform 210 can recommend actions such as adding additives (for example, fertilizers to change the pH or salinity in the soil), applying mulch (for example, to control the level of humidity and the temperature of the soil ) and cover the plants (for example, to encourage a more humid environment).

[0040] In some modalities, Application 293 may provide one or more options for users to change or replace the current condition of their respective irrigation systems. That is, in some modalities, a user may request, through Application 293, that Concentrator 240 forcibly close some or all of Valves 281, 282 and 283. However, as previously discussed, it must be understood that System 240 can, in various modes, also operate without the Concentrator 240. In some modalities, the Concentrator 240 is optional equipment. In the modalities where the Concentrator 240 is not installed or is not in use, instead of sending commands or instructions to the Concentrator 240 to connect (and disconnect) some or all of the Valves 281, 282 and 283, the Cloud Platform 210 can transmit alerts, notifications, or recommendations to the 281 Device instructing the user to manually turn on (and off) some or all of the 281, 282, and 283 valves.

[0041] As previously discussed, in some modalities of System 100 described in relation to Figure 1, at least one sensor (for example, Sensor 140) and one controller (for example, Controller 150) can communicate directly with the Router 120 via a wireless link (for example, Wi-Fi). In some embodiments, it should be understood that System 100 may include any appropriate, necessary or desired number of sensors, controllers and sensor-controller hybrids. As previously discussed in relation to Figure 2, in some modalities of System 200, at least one sensor (for example, Sensor 250), can communicate directly with a concentrator (for example, Concentrator 240) through an unused link of wires (for example, low-power sub-GHz link). As with System 100, in various modalities of System 200, any appropriate, necessary or desired number of sensors can be used.

However, particularly in larger gardens, one or more devices may be out of reach.

For example, in some embodiments of System 100, one or more sensors, controllers, and sensor-controller hybrids may be unable to communicate directly with the router as a result of distance.

Likewise, in some embodiments of the System 200, one or more sensors may be outside the range of the concentrator.

Under these circumstances, in some modalities, two or more devices can form an ad-hoc or decentralized network.

In some modalities, data can be communicated between a group, sequence or collection of devices until it reaches a device that is within range.

For example, in some embodiments of System 100, a sensor, controller, or sensor-controller hybrid can communicate with one or more other sensors, controllers, or sensor-controllers over a wireless link (e.g., Wi-Fi, sub-GHz, ZigBee, Bluetooth) rather than directly with the router.

In some modality of System 100, data can be passed over various sensors, controllers, or sensor-controller hybrids until they are within range of the router.

Similarly, in some System 200 modes, a sensor can communicate with one or more other sensors over a wireless link (for example, Wi-Fi, sub-GHz, ZigBee, Bluetooth) instead of with the concentrator, forming an ad-hoc or decentralized network, so that the data is forwarded from one sensor to another until they are within the range of the concentrator. In some modalities of System 100 or 200, an ad-hoc or decentralized network can be used as described above for other reasons, such as to minimize energy consumption in data transmission.

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a modality of a Process 300 to collect, analyze and dynamically regulate garden parameters. In various embodiments, Process 300 can be run by or on a cloud platform, such as Cloud Platform 110 or Cloud Platform 210.

[0043] At 302, one or more garden parameters can be received. In various modalities, the garden parameters received on the cloud platform can originate from one or more sensors (for example, Sensor 140, Sensor 250) or sensor-controller hybrids. As discussed earlier, sensors (for example, Sensor 140 and Sensor 250), as well as sensor-controller hybrids, may be able to measure various garden parameters. In various modalities, the garden parameters received on the cloud platform can originate from sensors that are installed in one or more different gardens. In various modalities, garden parameters can include, but are not limited to, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil temperature, soil pH, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity and exposure to light.

[0044] At 304, some or all of the garden parameters received at 302 can be analyzed. In several modalities, one or more statistical analysis techniques can be applied. In 306, one or more garden parameters can be regulated based, at least in part, on the analysis of the received garden parameters. In various ways, regulating garden parameters can include changing or adjusting one or more current garden parameters in a garden. For example, in some modalities, the cloud platform can analyze data including garden parameters from one or more gardens, the weather forecast and user inputs to determine whether or not to turn on (or turn off) one or more sprinkler valves and for how long. In some embodiments, turning on (or turning off) sprinkler valves for a given period of time can cause desired or necessary changes to one or more parameters of the garden. For example, if one or more garden parameters (for example, soil moisture, external humidity) indicate that the conditions in a garden are very arid, the cloud platform can connect one or more sprinkler valves for a given period of time. to relieve dryness. Alternatively or in addition, in some modalities, the cloud platform can analyze data, including garden parameters from one or more gardens, weather forecast, and user input to determine that the garden requires changes that involve human intervention, such as such as adding additives (for example, fertilizers) and applying mulch and other mulches. In some modalities, the cloud platform can be configured to transmit an alert, notification or recommendation to the user to perform the necessary actions. Calibration and Optimization

[0045] As discussed in relation to Figure 1 and Figure 2, in various modalities, the systems and methods described in this document may use one or more sensors (for example, Sensor 140, Sensor 250) or sensor-hybrids controller that are able to measure a variety of garden parameters. Examples of garden parameters include, but are not limited to, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil temperature, soil pH, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity and exposure to light. In several modalities, a sensor (or hybrid sensor-controller) can be configured to take measurements according to a predetermined or dynamically generated schedule or frequency. For example, in some modalities, the sensor can be configured to take measurements at predefined intervals (for example, hourly, daily, weekly). In some embodiments, the sensor can be configured to take measurements at dynamically determined intervals. In particular, in some modalities, the sensor can be configured to take measurements according to a dynamically generated schedule or frequency that is optimized based on the specific garden conditions. For example, conditions in some gardens are volatile and change frequently, while conditions in other gardens remain relatively stable over time. In addition, it is also common for some parameters of the garden to fluctuate more frequently than others. Therefore, in some modalities, the sensor can be configured to take the minimum number of measurements necessary to capture and provide an accurate and comprehensive data range.

[0046] In some modalities, a cloud platform (for example, Cloud Platform 110, Cloud Platform 220) can receive data from the sensor that includes the various measurements taken by the sensor. In some modalities, based on characteristics or patterns associated with the data, particularly over time, the cloud platform may be able to determine when or how often the sensor should ideally take its measurements. In some embodiments, patterns or characteristics of data may include volatility and fluctuations that are best observed from a set of data that is collected over a longer period of time. In some modalities, the cloud platform can develop a data profile that is specific to each garden. In some embodiments, the data profile for a garden can be constructed using data that includes past or historical garden parameters (that is, different garden parameters that are collected over a period of time). Thus, in various modalities, the cloud platform may be able to detect patterns or characteristics that indicate varying levels of fluctuation or volatility based on the data profile for each garden. Thus, in some modalities, based on characteristics or data patterns, the cloud platform can send commands or instructions to the sensor to take one or more measurements. In some modalities, based on data characteristics or patterns, particularly with respect to individual garden parameters, the cloud platform can instruct or command the sensor to measure different garden parameters according to different schedules or frequencies. In various modalities, the schedule or frequency for the sensor to take measurements can be updated, adjusted, or refined as more data is collected over time and added to the garden's data profile.

[0047] As discussed earlier, sprinkler systems are usually configured in different zones. As such, in various embodiments, the sprinkler valve (s) (for example, Valve 170, Valves 281-283) in each zone can be controlled separately based, at least in part, on the varying conditions in each zone. In various modalities, regardless of the size of the garden and the number of zones, any appropriate, necessary or desired number of sensors or sensor-controller hybrids can be implemented. For example, a user can install one sensor in each zone or several sensors in each zone. In particular, in some embodiments, a sensor can be shared across multiple zones (that is, used in two or more zones). Advantageously, the portability and mobility of sensors and hybrid sensors in different areas allows the various modalities of the systems and methods described in this document to be implemented with a minimum amount of equipment, cost and effort. Suppose, for example, that Alice wants to buy and use only one sensor to measure garden parameters in two zones (for example, Zone A, Zone B) in her backyard. In several ways, Alice can install an application (for example, Application 190, Application 293) on her smartphone or any other type of computing and communication device (for example, personal computer, tablet PC). In several modalities, using the application, Alice can insert or indicate to the cloud platform the current zone where the sensor is. In addition, in various modalities, Alice can use the application to insert or otherwise indicate to the cloud platform whenever the sensor is moved from one zone to another (for example, from Zone A to Zone B and vice versa ). In these modes where a single sensor is used in several zones, the cloud platform can assign garden parameters to the correct zone based on inputs or user input. To continue the example, based on Alice's input or the indication that the sensor is in Zone A, the cloud platform can assign garden parameters received from the sensor to Zone A and not to Zone B. User Interactivity - Recommendation of Plant

[0048] As discussed earlier, in various modalities, users can communicate with the cloud platform (for example, Cloud Platform 110, Cloud Platform 210) via the application (for example, Application 190, Application 293 ), including for sending, receiving and otherwise interacting with various types of data. Also as previously discussed, in several modalities, the cloud platform (for example, the Platform in

Cloud 110, Cloud Platform 210) can receive and analyze a variety of different types of data, including, but not limited to sensor data or sensor-controller hybrids (for example, garden parameters from different users and gardens ), weather, user input, etc. In addition, the cloud platform can store at least a portion of the data to develop current and historical data profiles for a variety of different entities or groups of entities, including, but not limited to different users, gardens, neighborhoods, regions, etc. In fact, in the various modalities, the cloud platform may be able to analyze, process and store data in any appropriate manner, including, but not limited to applying statistical analysis techniques, such as aggregation, segmentation, averaging, interpolation and extrapolation of data.

[0049] In various modalities, the cloud platform may be able to recommend plant selections to a user. In some modalities, the cloud platform can deliver its recommendations to the user via the application. In some embodiments, the cloud platform can determine an appropriate plant selection based on the garden parameters of one or more sensors in the user's garden. For example, the selection of the appropriate plant can be determined based on current, historical or predicted garden parameters from the user's own garden. Alternatively or in addition, in some modalities, the appropriate plant selection can be determined based on the type (s) of plants that have been successfully cultivated in a reference area, which includes, but is not limited to, identical, similar or adjacent (s). In various modalities, based on criteria that include, but are not limited to, availability or volume of data, the cloud platform can further determine a reference area sized or appropriately located in order to determine an appropriate plant selection for a user's garden .

[0050] In some modalities, in addition to the garden parameters, the cloud platform can determine an appropriate plant selection still based on the user's preferences. In various modalities, the user can set his preferences at any level of specificity and based on any appropriate type of parameters (for example, characteristics of the plant, such as color, size, necessary maintenance). For example, Alice can indicate to the cloud platform (via the installed application) that she likes or prefers a specific type or species of peony (for example, Chinese or Japanese peony). Alternatively, Alice can indicate to the cloud platform that she likes or prefers plants that have pink flowers. Based on the stated preference, the cloud platform may, in some modalities, recommend plants that are appropriate for the user's garden. However, it can often be the case that a user indicates a preference for a plant or type of plant that is not appropriate, given the parameters of the user's garden. Thus, in some modalities, the cloud platform may recommend alternative plants that are more ideal or more suitable for the user's garden (that is, plants that can survive or thrive based on the parameters of the user's garden) and that are similar to the preferred plant or type of plant. In some modalities, the suggestions or recommendations of the cloud platform can be displayed, via the application, in order of the level of similarity of each plant with the preferred plant or type of plant. In some embodiments, the suggestions or recommendations of plants on the cloud platform may be displayed, in addition or instead, in order of the probability that each of the suggested plants will survive in the user's garden. In some modalities, suggestions or recommendations can be displayed with an option (for example, a hyperlink) for the user to be directed to one or more e-commerce websites (for example Amazon.com®, Lowe's®, HomeDepot® ) that sell, transport or can provide the plant (s).

[0051] In some modalities, in addition to or instead of displaying plant suggestions or recommendations, the user may have the option to enroll (via the application) in a plant subscription program (for example, seed or plant of the month) ). In some modalities, enrollment in the plant subscription program gives the user the right to a regular delivery (for example, monthly, quarterly) of plants or seeds that can be cured based on the suggestions or recommendations of plants on the cloud platform. In some modalities, the cloud platform may determine and deliver (via the application) advertisements and links to other services (proprietary or third party) that are appropriate for the user based on the parameters of the user's garden (for example, the quality of the soil ) and inputs (e.g., preferred plants).

[0052] In some modalities, the cloud platform can determine an appropriate plant selection based on the user's budget. In many ways, the cloud platform can take into account the user's budget in addition to or instead of the user's stated preferences. In many ways, the user's budget can include an initial one-time setup. That is, the user can specify how much he can or would like to spend on plants and seeds for a garden. In various ways, the user's budget may also include a maintenance cost. For example, the user can specify, in addition or instead, how much he can or would like to spend on maintaining the plants in the garden (for example, water, fertilizer, mulch, etc.).

[0053] As discussed earlier, the cloud platform can use a variety of data (for example, garden parameters, weather, user inputs, etc.) to determine and generate data indicating when the irrigation system in the garden a user must be open (and closed). In some embodiments, the cloud platform can send commands or instructions to automatically turn on (and off) some or all of the valves in the sprinkler system. In some embodiments, the cloud platform can send instructions to the user to manually turn on (and off) some or all of the valves in the sprinkler system. In various modalities, the cloud platform can collect and analyze a variety of data, including, but not limited to, current data (for example, the last set of garden parameters), historical (for example, garden parameters measured over a given period of time) and predicted data (for example, the weather forecast, parameters extrapolated from the garden). In various modalities, the cloud platform can collect and analyze data from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, data collected by sensors in the user's garden (eg, Sensor 140, Sensor 250), data collected by sensors in other users' gardens, the weather forecast and user feedback (for example, real-life observations of garden parameters and plant conditions). Thus, in various modalities, the cloud platform may be able to dynamically determine and regulate conditions in a user's garden based on current, historical and predicted data. In various ways, a user can use the application to instruct the cloud platform to emulate or recreate the parameters of the garden in another user's garden. In a previous example, Alice was unable to grow the same type of peony that thrives in her neighbor Bob's yard. Suppose that both Alice and Bob installed System 100, as described in relation to Figure 1, or System 200, as described in relation to Figure 2. In this case, the cloud platform would have access to the parameters of the garden of Alice's gardens and Bob. The parameters of Bob's garden proved to be conducive to the cultivation of peonies. Thus, in some modalities, Alice can instruct the cloud platform to regulate or modify her garden parameters, including turning one or more sprinkler valves on and off and recommending one or more actions by Alice (for example, fertilizer, mulch coverings), so that the parameters of the garden in Alice's garden correspond to the parameters of the garden in Bob's garden.

[0054] In several modalities, the cloud platform (for example, Cloud Platform 110, Cloud Platform 210) can be configured to interact continuously with a user, with a garden and with a microclimate (that is, the environment and the characteristics of the user's garden). In several modalities, a control system can be paradigmatic of the interactions and interconnection between the cloud platform, the user, the garden and the microclimate.

[0055] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating a Control System 400. As shown in Figure 4A, in several modalities, the Control System 400 can comprise a Controller 410 and a Black Box 420. In various modalities, Controller 410 can correspond to the system to collect, analyze and dynamically adjust the garden parameters (for example, System 100, System 200) described in this document. As described in relation to Figure 1 and Figure 2, various modalities of the system for dynamically collecting, analyzing and regulating garden parameters may include some combination of the following components: a cloud platform (for example, the Cloud Platform 110, the Platform Cloud 220), sensors (for example, Sensor 140, Sensor 250), user devices (for example, Devices 181-182, Devices 291-292) and a hub (for example, Concentrator 240 ) or valve controllers (for example, Controller 150). Meanwhile, in various ways, Black Box 420 represents a typical garden ecosystem containing a user (eg Alice), a garden (eg Alice's garden) and a microclimate (eg Mission Valley in San Diego, HERE). In various modalities, Controller 410 can be configured to determine the inputs (for example, Inputs 430) in Black Box 420 based on the outputs (for example, Outputs 440) of Black Box 420. In various modalities, Inputs 430 to from Controller 410 can include a variety of data that can be used to change and is otherwise capable of changing conditions within the Black Box 420. In various ways, Outputs 440 can include a variety of data that is indicative of conditions inside the Black Box 420, including, but not limited to, readings, measurements and feedback from the different constituents of the Black Box 420 (for example, the user, the garden and the microclimate). In various modalities, Controller 410 can continuously refine Inputs 430 based on Outputs 440, in order to determine a set of inputs that produces one or more ideal, desired, expected or necessary outputs.

In several modalities, Controller 410 can determine a set of inputs that produces the ideal, desired, expected or necessary outputs to satisfy the requirements or conditions imposed by some or all constituents of Black Box 420. In various modalities, Controller 410 can determine a set of inputs that would improve, influence, and otherwise change the current conditions in Black Box 420 (as indicated by a previous set of exits) so that the next set of Black Box 420 exits would approach or correspond to those ideal, desired, expected or necessary outputs.

[0056] For example, in some modalities, users may have some characteristics, which usually manifest themselves as one or more preferences for some plants or for a particular budget. Meanwhile, in various ways, the user's garden can also exhibit a number of features. The characteristics of the garden can, in some modalities, be captured in the garden parameters measured by various sensors or in the user's observations. Finally, in some modalities, the microclimate can also host a variety of characteristics, including climatic conditions, such as sun, snow, rain, strong winds, etc. Thus, in various modalities, Outputs 440 may include readings and measurements of some or all of the characteristics of the constituents of Caixa Preta 420. For example, in some modalities, Outputs 440 may include, but are not limited to, user input. climate (for example, current and forecast) and various measured garden parameters. Based on Outputs 440, in various modalities, Controller 410 can determine Inputs 430, which may include, as examples, commands and instructions for opening (and closing) sprinkler valves and alerts, notifications and recommendations for the user to execute one or more more actions (for example, watering, fertilizing, applying mulch, vegetation cover, etc.). As shown in Figure 4A, in the various modalities, the Control System 400, Controller 410 and Black Box 420 can be part of an iterative feedback circuit. In various modalities, Inputs 430 can either regulate or continuously evolve based on Outputs 440. In various modalities, Outputs 440 can either be changed as a result of Inputs 430 or perpetuate the evolution of Inputs 430.

[0057] Figure 4B is a flow chart illustrating a modality of a 401 Process for making plant recommendations. In several modalities, Process 401 can be executed by or on a cloud platform (for example, Cloud Platform 110, Cloud Platform 210). In 402, at least one plant selection criterion can be received. In various modalities, plant selection criteria can originate from a number of different sources, including, but not limited to sensors installed in the user's garden and the user-specified plant or budget preferences.

[0058] In 404, at least one plant to be recommended can be determined based, at least in part, on the selection criteria. For example, in some modalities, the cloud platform can determine one or more plants to recommend based on the current, historical or predicted garden parameters in the user's garden. Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, the cloud platform may determine one or more plants to be recommended based on the preferences stated by the user, including, but not limited to, the user's budget and the user's preferred plant selections. In addition, in some modalities, in scenarios where the user's preferred plant selections are inappropriate or unsuitable for the user's garden (for example, based on the user's current, historical or predicted garden parameters), the cloud platform can also be able to recommend plants that are similar to the user's favorite plants, but that can also tolerate or flourish in the user's garden.

User Interface

[0059] In the various modalities of the systems and methods described in this document, various garden events can be converted into one or more appropriate accounting units. In various modalities, examples of garden events may include, but are not limited to, linking the irrigation system, rain, fertilization and application of mulch and other mulches. In particular, in some modalities, garden events can be converted into an appropriate currency (for example, USD, Euros) in order to reflect the expenses and savings generated by each garden event. As an example, in various modalities, the cloud platform (for example, the Cloud Platform 110, the Cloud Platform 210) can track the current condition of the sprinkler valves (for example, Valve 170, Valves 281-283 ). Thus, in various modalities, the cloud platform can determine when each sprinkler system has been turned on and for how long. Consequently, in various ways, the cloud platform can estimate the amount of water that has been used and convert that information into a dollar amount (for example, it costs $ 5 to water Zone A for 30 minutes).

[0060] In another example, the cloud platform can be configured to send an alert, notification or recommendation that instructs a user to perform one or more actions. In some modalities, the alert, notification or recommendation may also include an estimated cost associated with the actions taken. For example, the cloud platform can determine based on a variety of data, including a difference between the current pH or the level of soil salinity, and the ideal level, desired, necessary or expected, that a certain amount of fertilizer is needed . In some embodiments, the alert, notification or recommendation from the cloud platform instructing the user to apply fertilizer to the user's garden may include the cost for the amount of fertilizer required.

[0061] In several modalities, the cloud platform can also estimate the amount of savings generated by a garden event. For example, if it rained a lot, based on data such as weather forecast and soil moisture level after rain, the cloud platform can determine and indicate to the user that their garden will not have to be watered for at least 8 days, generating savings of $ 20. In various modalities, the cloud platform can also estimate the cost of recreating ideal garden parameters or the specific garden parameters found in another garden. In a previous example, Alice wants to recreate the garden parameters in Bob's garden. The cloud platform can, in several modalities, approximate the total or individual cost corresponding to the amount of water, fertilizer, and mulch that is necessary to transform the conditions existing in Alice's garden so that the two gardens would display identical garden parameters. or almost identical.

[0062] In various modalities, the cloud platform can analyze various types of data and generate different metrics indicating the efficiency of a user's sprinkler system. As discussed earlier, in various modalities, the cloud platform may be able to estimate the amount of water use based on information about when the user's sprinkler system was in use. In various modalities, the cloud platform can assess the amount of water use in relation to one or more different references, including, but not limited to, an ideal, desired, necessary and expected set of garden parameters. Suppose, for example, that Alice's sprinkler system has been on for a certain period of time (for example, X minutes). In some modalities, the cloud platform can estimate what the expected level of humidity in Alice's garden should be after X minutes of watering. In some embodiments, the cloud platform estimate can be generated based on a series of different types of data (for example, Data 161-162, Data 261-262), including, but not limited to, current weather conditions (for example, example, temperature, humidity, wind), measurements of historical parameters of Alice's garden and other similar gardens taken before and after irrigation, and empirical statistics. In various modalities, the cloud platform can determine the efficiency of Alice's sprinkler system as a measure of how close (for example, expressed as a percentage) the humidity level in Alice's garden is to the expected humidity level. Alternatively, going back to the previous example, where Alice is trying to recreate the parameters of the garden in Bob's garden, in some ways, the cloud platform can also determine the efficiency of Alice's sprinkler system in terms of the proximity between the humidity level in your garden after X minutes of watering and the ideal humidity level found in Bob's garden.

[0063] In several modalities, the cloud platform can also take into account the cost of public services, such as electricity or water tariffs, to determine when it is more economical to operate an irrigation system. In some modalities, a user may be able to select a low-cost profile, which can cause the cloud platform to adjust the way it regulates one or more garden parameters or determines plant recommendations based on the cost of utilities. In various modalities, the cloud platform can estimate the amount of resources from a public service that would be used for an event and convert that information into a dollar amount (for example, it costs $ 5 to water Zone A for 30 minutes at 6am, it costs $ 10 to water Zone A for 30 minutes at 2pm). In various modalities, the cloud platform can also take legal restrictions, such as water restrictions, into account when determining when an irrigation system is allowed to operate. In such modalities, the cloud platform can regulate one or more garden parameters to prevent the operation of an irrigation system during unacceptable times or notify a user that a legal restriction can be applied to their garden for a selected watering time. by a user.

[0064] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a modality of a System 550 using wires or without using wires that can be used in connection with the various modalities described in this document. For example, System 550 can be used to implement Devices 181 to 182, as described in relation to Figure 1, as well as Devices 291 to 292 and Concentrator 240, as described in relation to Figure 2. In some embodiments, the System 550 can be a conventional personal computer, a computer server, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, a tablet computer or any other processor-enabled device that is capable of wired or wireless data communication. However, it should be understood that other computer systems or architectures can also be used, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.

[0065] System 550 may include one or more processors, such as Processor 560. Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input / output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a microprocessor special-purpose architecture having a suitable architecture for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (for example, a digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (for example, a back-end processor), a microprocessor or additional controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be separate processors or may be integrated with the 560 Processor.

[0066] The 560 processor can be connected to a 555 Communication Bus. The 555 Communication Bus can include a data channel to facilitate the transfer of information between storage and other peripheral components of the 550 System. The 555 Communication Bus can it also provides a set of signals used to communicate with the 560 Processor, including a data bus, an address bus and a control bus (not shown). The 555 Communication Bus can comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture, such as, for example, bus architectures compatible with industry standard architecture ("ISA"), industry standard extended architecture ("EISA"), Architecture Micro Channel ("MCA"), local bus for interconnecting peripheral components ("PCI") or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers ("IEEE"), including IEEE 488 general purpose interface bus ("GPIB" ), IEEE 696 / S-100, etc.

[0067] System 550 can include Main Memory 565 and can also include Secondary Memory 570. Main Memory 565 provides instruction and data storage for programs running on Processor 560. Main Memory 565 is typically memory based on semiconductor, such as dynamic random access memory ("DRAM") or static random access memory ("SRAM"). Other types of semiconductor based memory include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory ("SDRAM"), Rambus dynamic random access memory ("RDRAM"), ferroelectric random access memory ("FRAM"), etc., including read-only memory ("ROM").

[0068] Secondary memory 570 can optionally include an internal memory (Internal Medium 575) or Removable Medium 580, for example, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive ("CD"), a digital versatile disc drive ("DVD"), etc. Removable medium 580 is read or written in a well-known manner. Removable Media 580 can be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, SD card, etc.

[0069] Removable Media 580 is a non-temporary, computer-readable medium, with executable computer code (ie software) or data stored on it. Computer software or data stored on Removable Media 580 is read to System 550 for execution by Processor 560.

[0070] In alternative modalities, Secondary Memory 570 may include other similar methods of allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded on System 550. Such methods may include, for example, an external storage medium (External Media 595 ) and a 570 Communication Interface. Examples of the 595 External Media may include an external hard drive or an external optical drive or an external magneto-optical drive.

[0071] Other examples of 570 Secondary Memory may include semiconductor-based memory, such as programmable read-only memory ("PROM"), erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM"), electrically erasable read-only memory ("EEPROM "), or flash memory (block-oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage media (Removable Media 580) and Communication Interface 590, which allow software and data to be transferred from External Media 595 to System 550.

[0072] System 550 can also include an input / output interface ("I / O"), the I / O Interface 585. The I / O interface 585 facilitates input and output to external devices. For example, the 585 I / O interface can receive input from a keyboard or mouse and can provide output for a video. The 585 I / O interface is capable of facilitating the entry and exit of various alternative types of human interface and machine interface devices.

[0073] System 550 can also include a 590 Communication Interface. The 590 Communication Interface allows software and data to be transferred between System 550 and external devices (for example, printers), networks or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code can be transferred to System 550 from a network server via the 590 Communication Interface. Examples of the 590 Communication Interface include a modem, a network interface card ("NIC "), a wireless data card, a communication port, a PCMCIA input and card, an infrared interface and an IEEE 1394 Firewire.

[0074] Communication Interface 590 can implement protocol standards promulgated by the industry, such as IEEE 802 Ethernet standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line ("DSL"), asynchronous digital subscriber line ("ADSL"), retransmission frames, asynchronous transfer mode ("ATM"), integrated digital services network ("ISDN"), personal communications services

("PCS"), transmission control protocol / Internet protocol ("TCP / IP"), serial line Internet protocol / point-to-point protocol ("SLIP / PPP") and the like, but you can also implement protocols for custom or non-standard interface.

[0075] The software and data transferred via the Communication Interface 590 are generally in the form of electrical communication signals 605. These signals 605 are provided to the Communication Interface 590 via a communication channel 600. In one embodiment, the communication channel communication 600 can be a wired or wireless network, or any variety of other communication links. Communication channel 600 carries signals 605 and can be implemented using a variety of wired or wireless communication media, including wire or cable, optical fibers, conventional telephone line, cell phone link, communication link wireless data, radio frequency ("RF") or infrared link.

[0076] Computer executable code (ie computer or software programs) can be stored in Main Memory 565 or Secondary Memory 570. Computer programs can also be received via Communication Interface 590 and stored in Memory Main 565 or Secondary Memory 570. Such computer programs, when executed, allow System 550 to perform the various functions as described above.

[0077] In this description, the term "computer-readable medium" is used to refer to any computer-readable non-temporary storage medium used to provide computer-executable code (for example, software and computer programs) to the System 550. Examples of such media include Main Memory 565, Secondary Memory 570 (including Middle

Internal 575, Removable Medium 580 and External Medium 595) and any peripheral device connected communicatively with the Communication Interface 590 (including a network information server or other network device). These non-temporary, computer-readable media are used to provide executable code, programming instructions and software for System 550.

[0078] In a mode that is implemented using software, the software can be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded onto System 550 via Removable Medium 580, via I / O Interface 585 or through Communication Interface 590. In such a mode, the software is loaded on System 550 in the form of electrical communication signals 605. The software, when executed by Processor 560, causes Processor 560 to perform the features and functions of the invention previously described in this document.

[0079] The 550 system can also include optional wireless communication components that can facilitate wireless communication over a voice or data network. The wireless communication components can comprise an antenna system (Antenna 610), a radio system (Radio 615) and a baseband system (Base Band 620). In System 550, radio frequency ("RF") signals can be transmitted or received over the air by Antenna 610 under the management of Radio 615.

[0080] In one embodiment, antenna 610 may comprise one or more antennas and one or more multiplexers (not shown) that perform a switching function to provide Antenna 610 with transmission and reception signal paths. In the reception path, the received RF signals can be coupled from a multiplexor to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and sends the amplified signal to Radio 615.

[0081] In alternative modalities, Radio 615 can comprise one or more radios that are configured to communicate through various frequencies. In one mode, the Radio 615 can combine a demodulator (not shown) and a modulator (not shown) in a single integrated circuit ("CI"). The demodulator and the modulator can alternatively also be separate components. In the entry path, the demodulator removes the signal from the RF carrier, allowing a base band to receive the audio signal, which is sent from Radio 615 to Base Band 620.

[0082] If the received signal contains audio information, the Base Band 620 decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. The signal is then amplified and sent to a loudspeaker. The Base Band 620 also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted into digital signals and encoded by the Base Band

620. Base Band 620 also encodes digital signals for transmission and generates a baseband transmission audio signal that is routed to the modulator part of Radio 615. The modulator mixes the transmission band audio signal. base with an RF carrier signal generating an RF transmission signal that is routed to the antenna system and can pass through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmission signal and routes it to the Antenna 610, where the signal is switched to the antenna port for transmission.

[0083] The Base Band 620 is also communicatively coupled with Processor 560. The central processing unit, Processor 560, has access to the data storage areas, Main Memory 565 and Secondary Memory 570. The processing unit The central processor, the 560 Processor, is configured to execute instructions (that is, computer programs or software) that can be stored in Main Memory 565 or Secondary Memory 570. Computer programs can also be received from the Cassette processor. Base 610 and stored in Main Memory 565 or Secondary Memory 570, or executed after receipt. Such computer programs, when executed, allow System 550 to perform the various functions as described previously. For example, Main Memory 565 may include several software modules (not shown) that are executable by the 560 Processor.

[0084] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a modality of a system without using 640 wires that can be used in connection with the various modalities described in this document. For example, System 640 can be used to implement Sensor 140, as described in relation to Figure 1, as well as Sensor 250, as described in relation to Figure 2. In some embodiments, System 640 can comprise a 650 Microcontroller, which can offer integrated functions, such as an ADC 655 analog-to-digital converter, a DAC 660 digital-to-analog converter, an I2C 665 Inter-Integrated Circuit interface, a HMI 670 Human Machine Interface and a Tx / Rx 675 transceiver. In various embodiments, the Microcontroller 650 can be implemented using a microcontroller manufactured by Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., such as the Freescale Kinetis KW01.

[0085] In some embodiments, System 640 may also include one or more sensors, such as Sensor 680, Sensor 685, Sensor 690 and Sensor 695. For example, Sensor 680 can emit an electrical voltage based on a measurement of temperature, pH or light. In some modalities, the ADC 655 can measure the electrical voltage provided by the Sensor 680, after which the Microcontroller 650 can determine the soil temperature, soil pH or ambient light based on the electrical voltage measurement. As another example, Sensor 685 can be composed of a PCB 700, as shown in Figure 7, where the PCB 700 can be composed of lines interspersed in the PCB. The first set of strokes can be connected to the DAC 660 to receive a specified electrical voltage and a second set of strokes, which is not connected to the first set of strokes as shown by the rounded hops, can be connected to the ADC 655 and a resistor of known value connected to the ground. Based on the electrical voltage applied by the DAC 660 and the voltage measured by the ADC 550, the Microcontroller 650 can determine a ground resistance based on the voltage difference between the applied and measured electrical voltages. In some embodiments, the applied electrical voltage can be scaled over a range of electrical voltages, thus extending the dynamic range of the ADC

655.

[0086] As another example, the Sensor 690 can also use a ready-to-use temperature or humidity measurement component that can communicate with the 650 microcontroller via I2C 665.

[0087] As another example, a touch sensor is designed to accurately read small capacitive changes induced by skin contact with a capacitive touchscreen. The HMI 670 can also use a touch sensor, except that the HMI 670 can be connected to the Sensor 695 which contains capacitive plates in contact with the ground instead of with a touch screen. By measuring the capacitance of such plates in Sensor 695 at different frequencies via HMI 670, the Microcontroller 650 can determine a dielectric constant in the soil. In various modalities, the 650 microcontroller can also determine the moisture content of the soil using the soil dielectric constant, salinity and the methods known in the art.

[0088] In various modalities, the 640 System can use methods well known in the art to support several sensors, as described above, such as by using multiplexers / demultiplexers. Consequently, in various modalities, several sensors for different measurements can be connected to the ADC 655, DAC 660, 12C 665 or HMI 670 and the use of the ADC 655, DAC 660, 12C 665 or HMI 670 to obtain measurements from a non-sensor prevents the ADC 655, DAC 660, 12C 665 or HMI 670 from being used to obtain measurements from another sensor. Using such methods well known in the art, the 640 System can determine a parameterized measurement of soil salinity, pH and evaporation rates based on soil resistance, capacitance, pH and temperature measurements, as well as other measurements, such as measurements of ambient light, air temperature and air humidity.

[0089] In various modalities, the 640 System can transmit measurements from several sensors, as described above, to a cloud platform (for example, Cloud Platform 110, Cloud Platform 210). The cloud platform can perform the same analysis, calibration or other adjustments for measurements, as described in this document with respect to System 640. In some embodiments, an intermediate component, such as Concentrator 240, Device 181, Device 182, the Device 291 or Device 292 can also perform analysis, calibration or other adjustments based on the measurements described in this document in relation to the 640 System. By using such methods well known in the art, the cloud platform or intermediate components (for example, the Concentrator 240, Device 181, Device, 182, Device 291 or Device 292) can determine a parameterized measurement of soil salinity, pH and evaporation rates based on measurements of soil resistance, capacitance, pH and temperature, as well as other measurements, such as measurements of ambient light, air temperature and air humidity. In various modalities, the cloud platform or intermediate components (for example, Concentrator 240, Device 181, Device 182, Device 291 or Device 292) can then transmit the results of the above analysis to System 640 or for other components described in this document. For example, System 640 can be instructed to adjust future measurements based on analysis, calibration, or other adjustments from the cloud platform or intermediate components (for example, Concentrator 240, Device 181, Device 182, Device 291 or Device 292).

[0090] In some embodiments, the Microcontroller 650 may also include TX / RX 675. In such embodiments, TX / RX 675 may be an IEEE 802.15.4 compliant device that has the ability to adjust its data and power rates. transmitter using measurements of the signal strength received from other transmission devices. In several modalities, TX / RX 675 can use other methods without using wires, such as ZigBee, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

[0091] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a System 800 for collecting garden parameters, which is an improvement on the system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,479,106 to Campbell. As shown in Figure 8, in some of the modalities described in this document, System 800 can comprise an 802 Sensor Box, which can contain an 804 System Component and an RF 806 Component. In addition, the 802 Sensor Box can provide a physical and electrical interface between Electrical Conducting Structure 808 and System Component 804. The 802 Sensor Housing can protect sensitive electronics from System Component 804 and RF Component 806 from water, other contaminants and mechanical damage or electrical. In some embodiments, the interior of the 802 sensor housing can be filled with a solid or gelatinous compound to provide resistance to shock and vibration or to exclude moisture or other corrosive agents.

[0092] System Component 804 can contain electronics that can be used to take basic electrical measurements to determine soil properties or to transmit data to a data collection platform. In some embodiments, System Component 804 may also contain electronics that can be used to receive data from a data collection platform. The 804 System Component can be coupled to the 808 Electric Conduction structure. The 808 Electric Conduction Structure can form a capacitive element when placed on the ground, thus allowing the 804 System Component to measure the electrical characteristics of the soil via the Conduction Structure Electric

808. In some embodiments, the Electric Conduction Frame 808 can be a capacitive touch sensor. In other embodiments, the Electric Conducting Structure 808 can be two or more strips of metal slightly separated from each other.

[0093] RF Component 806 may contain internal batteries, a radio and an antenna for transmitting and receiving data between System Component 804 and a data collection platform. In some embodiments, the RF Component 806 can use a multi-conductor wire to feed itself and the Component 804 System instead of using internal batteries.

[0094] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a modality of a System 900 to perform sensor measurements within System Component 804. As shown in Figure 8, Oscillator 902 can be coupled to a Bandpass Filter 904. The Oscillator 902 can be used to apply a high frequency electrical signal (for example, 10 to 200 MHz) to the 904 Bandpass Filter. In some embodiments, the oscillator can be a simple square wave clock oscillator and the Bandpass Filter 904 can then be used to eliminate the higher order harmonic frequencies to form a sinusoidal signal. In other embodiments, Oscillator 902 can be a different type of oscillator (e.g., sine wave) and Bandpass Filter 904 can be used to eliminate any unwanted or omitted frequency components. The output of the Bandpass Filter 904 can then be applied to a capacitor C1, which can act as a blocking capacitor to filter out any undesirable DC components at the signal output of the Bandpass Filter 904.

[0095] In some modalities, a polarizing electrical voltage can be applied in Vbias through R1 (shown in Figure 9) to facilitate sensitive analog measurements. The output of R1 and C1 can then be combined and coupled to the input of Meter AC 906 and the input of R2. The R2 output can then be coupled to the AC 908 Meter input and the R3 input. The output of R3 can then be coupled to the input of the AC Meter 910 and capacitor C2. In such modalities, the AC 906, 908 and 910 meters together with resistors R2 and R3 can be understood to form a sensitive bridge circuit system that can facilitate measuring differences, as explained below, in the amplitude of an electrical signal

AC originally generated by Oscillator 902. Capacitor C2 can also act as a blocking capacitor to prevent any DC component from the polarizing electrical voltage to pass to Electrical Conducting Structure 808. This may be necessary where such a DC component can cause galvanic corrosion of the conducting structure in the presence of the ground or where such polarizing electrical voltage would distort measurements if applied to the Electrical Conducting Structure 808, Capacitor C2 can then be connected to the Electrical Conducting Structure 808, which can be represented as an RS resistor and as the capacitor Cs in parallel, so that the AC signal is applied to the Electrical Conducting Structure 808.

[0096] In several modalities, DC meters can be used instead of AC meters 906, 908 and 910, such as where the cost of accurate AC meters would be very high. Figures 10A and 10B show diagrams of two of these approaches for using DC meters instead of AC meters to measure AC signals.

[0097] With respect to Figure 10A, System 1000 is presented to measure AC signals, which can use a DC 1002 meter, a D1 diode, a Rd resistor and a Cd capacitor. In such a modality, if an AC signal is applied to diode D1, only the positive component of the AC signal can pass through diode D1. This filtered AC signal can then be applied to the RC circuit that uses Rd and Cd to create a filtered DC signal that can be measured by the DC 1002 meter. In such an embodiment, the amplitude of the DC signal can correspond to the amplitude of the AC signal that has been applied for the input of diode D1.

[0098] With respect to Figure 10B, an alternative System 1050 is shown to measure AC signals, which can use a DC 1052 meter, a T1 transistor, an RD resistor and a Cd capacitor. In such an embodiment, if an AC signal is applied to transistor T1, only the positive component of the AC signal can pass through transistor T1.

This filtered AC signal can then be applied to the RC circuit that uses Rd and Cd to create a filtered DC signal that can be measured by the DC Meter 1052. In such an embodiment, the amplitude of the DC signal can correspond to the amplitude of the AC signal that has been applied to the input of transistor T1.

[0099] In such modalities, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a bias voltage may need to be combined with the AC signal to facilitate accurate measurement of the AC signal. For example, the polarization of the AC signal can dramatically improve the linearity of the signal applied to CCC meters or allow much lower AC signal levels to be measured.

[00100] With respect to Figure 11, a Method 1100 is presented to measure the characteristics of the soil. In step 1110, Oscillator 902 can be turned off. In step 1120, measurements of electrical voltages Voff1, Voff2 and Voff3 can be recorded by the AC 906, 908 and 910 meters respectively. In step 1130, Oscillator 902 can be turned on. In step 1140, the measurements of the electrical voltages Von1, Von2 and Von3 can be recorded respectively by the Meters AC 906, 908 and 910. In step 1150, the values of A and B can be calculated as follows: A = (Von2 - Voff2 ) / (Von1 - Voffl) and B = (Von3 - Voff3) / (Von1 - Voff1). In step 1160, Cs and Rs can then be calculated based on the known values of R2, R3, A and B, as by the method shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,479,106. In step 1170, the soil moisture level and soil salinity can be determined based on Rs and Cs using methods known in the art.

[00101] Taking electrical voltage measurements with the improved bridge circuit shown in Figure 8 using AC 906, 908 and 910 meters when the oscillator is on and off as described by Method 1100 can reduce measurement problems related to temperature dependence on meter output, avoid the need to take into account the direct voltage drop of the variable diode when calculating values A and B in step 1150, and allow lower cost components to be used in comparison with techniques known in the art. Wireless Telemetry

[00102] Hostile radio environments (lossy medium, widely varied medium, etc.), such as soil, cement, human or animal tissue, building materials, water, including seawater and other means, can present a distinct challenge for traditional RF telemetry, as they can greatly attenuate RF energy and therefore drastically reduce the range of communication, in addition to hampering the design of the transmit / receive antenna. Additionally, in media with widely varying electrical properties, such as the soil, an antenna that is an efficient radiator under one condition can be a very bad radiator if the humidity or salinity of the soil changes. One way to solve these problems can operate using "short distance" principles by implementing an oscillating electrical stimulus at a frequency so that the electromagnetic wave in the medium that is much larger than the sizes of receiver and transmitter structures as well as the separation between them.

[00103] To address one or more of the problems associated with such an electromagnetic absorption material, a wire-free sensitive system that has been developed that is suitable for long-term placement within an electromagnetic absorption material (for example, underground) . Although the system is described in this document using a buried soil moisture sensor for agricultural applications, the system can be applicable to several other applications, including, but not limited to, concrete curing monitoring, underwater detection, etc. Thus, the material can be soil, stone, water, concrete and their combinations (for example, soil under a concrete road or walkway, saturated soil below the water table, various building materials, etc.). Such electromagnetic absorption material presents challenges for traditional techniques of propagated wave communications (for example, cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.).

[00104] With respect to Figure 12, an application of such System 1200 for soil monitoring is presented. The System 1200 can use a Receiver 1202 connected by cable 1206 to the Transmission / Reception structure 1208. As shown in the example, the Receiver 1202 can be raised, such as using the Post 1204, to protect the electronic components from environmental factors or other concerns. The 1200 System can also use one or more Sensors (for example, 1210, 1214, 1218) which can each be coupled to a Transmission / Reception Structure respectively (for example, 1212, 1216, 1220).

[00105] In some modalities, Receiver 1202 may be located (usually at distances less than 5 m or similar) close to Sensors 1212, 1216 and 1220. In such an arrangement, if Sensors 1212, 1216 and 1220 are transmitting, then a electrical signal can be produced in the receiver structure of Receiver 1202 which can then be demodulated to recover data transmission from the Sensor. Receiver 1202 can use this same receiver structure, or a separate transmission structure, to communicate with the Sensor. In various embodiments, the arrangement may include additional receivers and sensors distributed across a geographic area.

[00106] The 1202 receiver can typically include a power source, such as batteries, solar energy, a mains connection or some other power source. The Receiver can be fixed in place or mounted on mobile equipment, such as drones, equipment such as tractors, harvesters, center pivots or other devices that move over an area to be monitored. In addition, the Receiver 1202 may have memory to store data, as well as an additional radio, such as a cellular modem, a 934 MHz telemetry radio, a direct connection to the Internet via a Wi-Fi or Ethernet router, or others means of communicating sensor data collected to a network. By including such an additional radio, several modalities may allow remote monitoring of collected data and operational parameters of the system, as well as potentially reconfiguring the system's performance or monitoring software.

[00107] The sensors 1210, 1214 and 1218 can be buried in the ground and each one can be equipped with a Transmission / Reception Structure (for example, 1212, 1216 and 1220). The Transmission / Reception Structure 1212, 1216 or 1220 can use a coil of one or more turns that can be electrically isolated from the ground, which can be tuned with additional capacitors to form a resonant structure at a desired drive frequency. In addition, such coils may incorporate a ferrite or other material with high magnetic permeability to increase a generated magnetic field. Such wire coils can be driven with an electric current at a desired frequency with an appropriate modulation scheme, in order to encode a sensor identification code, sensor operating parameters, such as battery level and any data measured by the Sensor 1210, 1214 or 1218. If such Sensors are placed in the soil, such data may include parameters such as soil moisture, salinity and temperature. Additionally, sensors 1210, 1214 or 1218 can use the same transmission structure, or a separate structure, to receive information, trigger the measurement, update the sensor firmware, change the operating parameters or facilitate the location of the sensor by allowing the Sensor acts like a transponder. The sensors 1210, 1214 or 1218 can each use a power source, such as a battery, a microcontroller, the circuit system used to make one or more desired measurements and the circuit system to drive and modulate / demodulate the structure of transmission / reception.

[00108] In some embodiments, an Analytical Data Component 1250 can be included in System 1200. The Analytical Data Component 1250 can reside on a server or on one or more receivers of System 1200. The Analytical Data Component 1250 can process data sensor input to provide management decisions and possibly implement control operations, such as turning on irrigation, managing irrigation efficiently in relation to peak electricity costs, scheduling agricultural operations, such as spraying, cultivation, etc. to reflect the real conditions. In addition, Data Analytical Component 1250 can adapt System 1200 based on input data to reconfigure detection to acquire enhanced information about the area being monitored.

[00109] For example, in the case of agriculture, water infiltration rates provide key information on the most efficient irrigation strategies, plant health and whether cultural practices, such as deep cultivation, are indicated. A fixed interval soil moisture detection approach may be ideal for managing battery life in routine monitoring, but it may be insufficient to capture the dynamic changes in soil moisture that occur when irrigation is in progress. To capture these events and better characterize the location, the system can increase the frequency of measuring soil moisture from the Sensor and transmitting data to the Receiver. This improved frequency data can then be used to obtain better estimates of water infiltration rates.

[00110] The communication link between a Receiver and a Sensor in the 1200 System may depend on short distance interactions between the transmission and reception structures. In an implementation, these structures can be a spiral of wires including one or more loops of insulated wire. They can also incorporate tuning inductors / capacitors to form a resonant structure at the desired operating frequency, which has the advantage of decreasing the required trigger level at the transmitter, increasing the sensitivity of the receiver at the operating frequency and suppressing noise at other times. frequencies. In addition, the coils can incorporate ferrites or other high permeability materials to improve the transmitted and received signals. Other possible implementations include simple electric dipole antennas that use sinuous linear wires, but coils of magnetic wire have significant advantages.

[00111] An oscillating electric current in the transmission coil can produce an oscillating magnetic field that crosses with the receiving coil. This can then produce an oscillating current in the receiving coil through induction that can then be detected by a Receiver in System 1200. Thus, if a current in the transmission coil is modulated, a receiving coil can have a similarly modulated current . In such a situation, by using a suitable modulation scheme (for example, amplitude modulation), the Receiver can be allowed to retrieve the data from the Sensor. The process can also be reversed to allow a

Receiver in System 1200 communicates with a Sensor in the System

1200.

[00112] With reference to Figure 13, an example of a wire coil connected to a tuning capacitor that can be used as a transmission or reception structure in System 1200 is presented. The transmission can be varied from a few kHz to a few MHz with the only restriction being that the transmission and reception coils have a total length for each coil that is much less than a quarter of the wavelength of the drive frequency. Thus, at 3 MHz, the total lengths of the coil can be up to 10 m, while at 100 kHz, they can be very long - up to a few hundred meters.

[00113] Although the range may be much more limited in System 1200 than when compared to traditional RF telemetry approaches, the shorter range and very low fields in the far field may allow unlicensed FCC operation to provide operation within irradiated field strength limits specified in FCC regulations.

[00114] The typically short communication range (for example, 10 m or less) can also allow simple radio protocols to be implemented on a System 1200 Receiver, as it can reduce the possibility of transmissions from distant Sensors on System 1200 to interfere with Sensors in System 1200 that are closest to the Receiver.

[00115] The drive circuit system for a transmission structure as shown in Figure 13 can be as simple as using a low frequency microcontroller I / O port output to drive the transmission coil. Such an approach can also be used to reduce transmission power consumption, thereby extending battery life.

[00116] If the communication range of a Sensor in System 1200 is less than 10 m, a Receiver in System 1200 can be placed next to that Sensor. However, if the sensors are buried or in other intermediate media, their location may not be visually apparent. In some applications, such as monitoring structures or other forms of construction, the locations of such Sensors can be readily marked. In many agricultural environments, however, this is not easily achieved, as fields are often plowed with the use of heavy equipment, making the use of indication or other Sensor markings unattractive due to the potential for accidental damage. Thus, in such situations, it may be desirable to allow the removal of Receivers in System 1200 from the field when the field is either fallow or when intensive cultural operations, such as cultivation, harvesting, spraying, etc., occur.

[00117] With respect to Figure 14, a 1400 method is presented for tracking sensor locations. In step 1410, when installing the system, a differential GPS system can be used to reliably locate the placement of the Sensor within a few centimeters by placing a GPS base station at a known location in a location, such as a farm, and use a mobile GPS receiver during installation. In step 1420, the locations of Sensors and Receivers in System 1200 can be stored in a database. In step 1430, Receivers in System 1200 can then be removed from the field (while leaving System 1200 Sensors buried). In step 1440, the locations of Sensors and Receivers in the

System 1200 can be recovered at the time of redeployment. In step 1450, Receivers on System 1200 can then be reinstalled within a few centimeters of their original positions.

[00118] The 1400 method can be made more convenient by using a mobile phone application. Such an application can be a barcode reader communicating with the GPS mobile unit via Bluetooth or other communication without using short-range wires, thus allowing a quick and easy installation of Sensors in the 1200 System and recording its location in a database. Dice. For example, a Sensor or Receiver in the 1200 System can be read by the barcode reader, then installed in its location, and then the GPS mobile unit is positioned in place and the user validates a "capture" sequence that, it then matches the location with the unit's serial number and can then populate a database with the location of a Sensor or Receiver based on its barcode.

[00119] In other modalities, if the Sensors in System 1200 have both transmit and receive functionality, then several methods known in the art can be used to store an approximate location of the Sensors in a database (for example, simple GPS non-differential, lines of sight or by triangular distances from fixed and prominent locations to reach 5-10 m from the Sensor). A field unit can be used to transmit a stable beacon of commands that the Sensor may be able to receive, which can then be used to trigger a response transmission from the Sensor, thus allowing an area to be systematically scanned and estimated the precise location of the Sensor. As with differential GPS, a mobile app can make this process a lot easier.

[00120] In some configurations of System 1200, it may be possible to mount Receivers on mobile structures, such as center pivots, side irrigation lines, field equipment, such as tractors, combine-harvesters or other vehicles. In such configurations, Sensors with reception capacity can be interrogated by a Receiver and activated to make a measurement and send the collected data. Thus, mobile vehicles such as vehicles, tractors and drones can be used to collect data by moving to the Sensor's location, issuing a command to cause the Sensor to take a measurement, receiving the message (and storing it for download) or send it via an alternative communication approach, such as a cellular modem).

[00121] As another example of specific adaptation of System 1200, a central pivot can be equipped with one or more Receivers along its irrigation line, which can then move in known and repeatable paths through a field. The rate of movement of these structures is generally quite slow (around the scale of 1 meter per minute). This can allow a Sensor to take measurements and transmit the results based on the Transmission range of the Sensor and the speed of the structure. For example, if a Sensor's range is 5 m and a center pivot moves an irrigation line at 1 meter per minute, the Sensor can be instructed to transmit at intervals slightly less than 10 minutes. When the center pivot stops, it can be placed in a location close to several sensors to allow data collection from a limited number of sensors.

[00122] To transmit information from the Sensor to the Receiver (or vice versa), a communication protocol can be implemented. Although parallel communication schemes can be used, in some modalities, data can be sent using standard asynchronous schemes using an idle period to separate data packets and a transition to mark the start of the data packet, followed by a data packet and any error checking protocol, and a stop bit followed by another idle period marking the end of the packet. Both the Sensors and the Receivers in the 1200 System can have local clock signals with an accuracy of more than 5%, which can allow the appropriate time framing of the received signals. Possible modulation schemes include phase switching, amplitude or frequency switching.

[00123] In noisy environments, particularly when using sensors in System 1200 without reception capacity, the detection, as well as the correction, of errors is desirable. This can be implemented using simple parity bits to detect a single invalid bit or involve more sophisticated early error correction routines.

[00124] In some modalities, Sensors in System 1200 can use a dynamic Sensor data transmission scheme to send data packets only if specific criteria have been met since the last Sensor transmission. The criteria that can be implemented include only sending transmissions when there has been a significant change in one or more of the measured values since the last transmission, a limit in one or more values has been breached, etc. This may allow Sensors in the 1200 System to sample more often, but only transmit values when the measured properties are changing. This can help conserve energy in Sensors as well as Receivers in System 1200. For example, a Sensor in System 1200 with soil moisture measurement capability can be programmed to measure soil moisture once every minute,

but only to transmit data if the change in soil moisture exceeds a threshold. This approach allows this Sensor to transmit data at frequent intervals during periods of dynamic change in soil moisture (such as during irrigation events), in order to determine important information about water percolation rates, while simultaneously suppressing redundant transmission. data during static soil moisture conditions. In some embodiments, the criteria used to determine whether to send a transmission or not may include a requirement to always transmit a packet at least once in a specified time frame. This may be necessary when a lack of communication from a Sensor in System 1200 can be interpreted as a Sensor that is no longer in operation.

[00125] In some modalities, when more than one Sensor is implemented within the communication range of a Receiver in System 1200, Sensor transmissions may need to be identified by the particular Sensor that sent the transmission. This can be implemented by giving each sensor a unique serial number. If the sensor transmission range is short on System 1200 (for example, a few meters), an abbreviated Sensor identifier can be used to resolve which sensor transmission corresponds to which physical Sensor. For example, a small 4-bit identifier can be used to identify 16 different Sensors within the range of a Receiver in System 1200. A mobile application can also be used to verify that, for each receiver in System 1200, no duplicates occur in the identifier 4 bits within the range of said Receiver. In addition, System 1200 Sensors can be configured to periodically, such as at infrequent intervals, transmit the short identifier along with a complete serial number, which can allow a Receiver in range to associate the unique Sensor serial number with the short identifier. .

[00126] In other modalities, particularly those with Sensors having only one transmission capacity, if the Sensors report at fixed time intervals in System 1200, a Sensor can occasionally move in sync with another Sensor according to its local time keeping the clocks oscillating . In order to avoid repeated transmissions colliding, a fixed reporting interval can be varied for a short pseudo-random time. This can be based on adding or subtracting a small random time compared to the transmission interval. This random number can be generated in a number of ways, including using the sensor's serial number to generate a sequence of random numbers.

[00127] In modalities where the 1200 System Sensors have a reception capacity, the Receivers can synchronize the Sensor response times so that each Receiver can be in a low energy state, except during Sensor transmissions. In addition, a Receiver in System 1200 can modify the Sensor reporting interval (sensors) or other behavior in response to the operating conditions of the entire system that are communicated to the Receiver, such as via an external network interface. For example, when the crops are fallow, the Receiver can be informed of this state and then direct himself, as well as the Sensors connected to it, to a very low energy sparse reporting mode to conserve the life of the crop. battery during these periods when irrigation is not taking place. In other modalities, a Receiver in System 1200 can monitor a transmit signal level and the Sensor error rate (when using FEC or parity bits) and if the signal is too low or too noisy, such a Receiver can direct a Sensor to increase transmission power levels or use more powerful error correction techniques.

[00128] To conserve energy in a Receiver in System 1200 and to facilitate long battery life or allow operation with small panels of solar energy, in some modalities, a low energy scheme can be implemented using a circuit of detection of very low power transmission. In such modalities, while waiting for Sensor transmissions, only the low power transmission detection circuitry can be activated on a 1200 System Receiver. A Sensor can then transmit a short, simple "wake-up" signal that the Receiver it can then detect and use to wake up the Receiver's complete circuit system. A complete transmission of the Sensor may occur after a short delay after the Sensor gives off the "wake-up" signal. After receiving this transmission from the Sensor, the Receiver can store the package for later transmission or send it via a network interface and then return to very low power mode.

[00129] In such modalities, if the 1200 System Sensors have a reception capacity, the Receiver can use synchronization signals to program the transmission of the Sensor in known windows, thus allowing the Receiver to be in a low energy mode, except during these short Sensor reception windows. The receiver can periodically resynchronize the Sensors in order to correct timing errors in the Sensor and Receivers.

[00130] In other modalities, a Receiver in System 1200 can be used to prioritize data transmissions via its network interface, depending on the predefined algorithms. For example, such a Receiver may be instructed to only send summary data, such as statistics showing only the high and low readings over a period of time or in other condensed metrics. In addition, depending on the user's configuration or management operations, the frequency and details of the data that is sent by such Receiver via its network interface can be modified. For example, during irrigation operations, instructions can be followed that require that such Receiver to send all Sensor data at short intervals, in order to provide better data to determine the ideal irrigation times.

[00131] As an example of a specific modality of System 1200, a group of 10 Receivers can be distributed across a 400-acre farm. Each Receiver can be installed close to 12 Sensors buried in the soil, which are capable of measuring the humidity, salinity and temperature of the soil. Sensors can be transmit-only sensors employing a 4-bit identifier and a 4-byte sensor measurement package. The operational frequency of the Sensors can be 173 kHz with a baud rate of 1200 baud using an asynchronous amplitude shift switching modulation. Simple FEC employing a 7.4 Hamming scheme capable of detecting one or two bit errors and correcting a single bit error can be employed. The total package of the Sensor with FEC of such disposition, if used, is approximately 10 bytes occupying around 0.2 s of transmission time.

[00132] The sensors can be configured to measure humidity, salinity and soil temperature at 2 minute intervals and transmit current readings at least once every 20 minutes or if any measured value changes more than a predefined limit since the Sensor's last transmission. Sensors can also transmit a short "wake-up" signal to Receivers 0.2 s prior to the start of actual Sensor data transmission.

[00133] Receivers can be battery powered with low power "wake" signal detection circuitry to monitor 173 kHz Sensor transmissions. Generally, Receivers can be in a low power mode by monitoring a "wake up" signal and then switching to a power consuming mode. Receivers can have enough memory to allow up to a month of Sensor data to be stored in the Receiver and can have a cellular modem for uplink for Data Analytic Component 1250, which can reside in a cloud server environment. Unless a signal is received by the receiver of the Analytical Data Component 1250, all collected data can be sent at 10 minute intervals.

[00134] All data collected from the Sensor can be stored via the Analytical Data Component 1250 and can be made available to users and applications via a fixed computer, as well as via cell phones and tablets. Data visualization, storage and analysis features can be implemented in Data Analytic Component 1250 and available for all platforms via an Application Programming Interface (API). The Analytical Data Component 1250 may also have access to third-party data streams, such as peak energy rates, weather forecasts, water district restrictions, etc. to further refine the data presented to a user.

[00135] Based on the sensor data and other information stored by the Analytical Data Component 1250, various reports or analyzes can be generated, such as:

1) Suggest next irrigation schedule. 2) Current and historical conditions in the field. 3) Indicative metrics for irrigation efficiency and salinity management. 4) Metrics indicative of certain soil properties, such as field capacity, water percolation rates, etc. 5) Alarms indicating conditions outside the predefined limits. 6) Prospective irrigation demands based on current conditions and future weather forecasts. 7) Plant stress indices (dependent on humidity and salinity levels). 8) System implementation metrics (missing Sensor packs, equipment integrity, hardware locations, battery levels, etc.) 9) Account management aspects, such as authorized users, passwords, user settings, etc.

[00136] The Analytical Data Component 1250 can also support a mobile installation application that captures GPS locations, hardware serial numbers and identifies which Sensors are located within the receiving distance of the Receivers. The Analytical Data Component 1250 can also support a mobile installation application that provides customer information, any additional information, such as irrigation water quality data, soil maps, type of irrigation equipment, etc.

[00137] During the growing season, a customer can use System 1200 to monitor current soil moisture conditions and to program irrigation times and the amount of water to be applied. During irrigation, Sensors can report data over a shorter interval, allowing interactive control of irrigation, such as terminating irrigation at a given humidity limit. Tracking temperature and humidity conditions with Sensors in System 1200 throughout the season can allow you to identify disease problems such as mold, leaf rot, as well as when weed germination can occur and when optimal planting times should occur. Salinity can be tracked via System 1200 and when salinity reaches levels that will affect plant health / production, intense irrigation to release salts below the root zone can be triggered and sensor data can be used to monitor the effectiveness of washing operation. At harvest, the production map can be compared to the actual Sensor data to help highlight areas of low or high production and modify future behavior to increase production.

[00138] In locations such as greenhouses, cultivation operations, arborets, indoor planters, etc., the Receiver collection coils used in System 1200 can be quite large and embedded in the ground, on cultivation tables or in planting boxes and shelves. This can allow individual planting pots or boxes to have sensors and, when placed in these areas, sensor data can be received to manage operations down to the single plant level, if desired. Similarly, this approach can be implemented on roads or structures such as buildings, dams and canals to monitor moisture, cement curing or other important parameters.

[00139] In some modalities, the Analytical Data Component 1250 can also receive information related to the amount of water provided over time for an area being measured by a Sensor. For example, in an application where the Sensors are incorporated in a dyke, the Analytical Data Component 1250 can receive information indicating the water level or the water flow close to each Sensor. In such a modality, the Analytical Data Component 1250 can use information on the amount of water being applied to each Sensor to make predictions about future humidity or salinity levels. In other modalities, the Analytical Data Component 1250 can also use weather forecast information to make predictions about future humidity or salinity levels. In other modalities, such as where the water being applied in the area of each sensor is controllable (for example, an irrigation system), the Analytical Data Component 1250 can use information on the amount of water that has been applied in an area around Sensor and also weather forecast information to calculate irrigation schedules.

[00140] Figure 15 illustrates an example of a telemetry system 1500 to obtain environmental readings from within an electromagnetic absorption material that can be used in the 1200 system (and includes techniques described above). The telemetry system can include an environmental sensor 1502 having a sensor data output 1504. The environmental sensor can provide detection of an environmental condition within the material to produce data from sensor 1506 on the sensor data output. The environmental sensor can, for example, be a humidity sensor (providing humidity measurements), a temperature sensor (providing temperature measurements), a salinity sensor (providing salinity measurements) or other types of environmental sensors. More than one type of environmental sensor can be included to provide various types of measurements. The environmental sensor can be a commercially available sensor or it can be an enhanced sensor implemented using any of the techniques described above.

[00141] The environmental sensor data output 1506 can be coupled to a data input 1508 of a modulator 1510. The modulator can encode the sensor data in a carrier provided in a signal output 1512 of the modulator. The carrier can be a low frequency signal below around 1705 kHz, as described in more detail below.

[00142] A switching mode amplifier 1514 can be coupled to modulator 1510. The switching mode amplifier can provide a means to amplify the carrier to provide an amplified signal at an output of amplifier 1516, which can be coupled to a 1518 multiturn coil. An independent 1520 power supply provides power to the amplifier (and any other desired components of the 1500 system). The independent power supply can be, for example, a battery, fuel cell, supercapacitor or other suitable independent power supply.

[00143] Returning to Figure 16, an illustrative implementation 1600 of a telemetry system 1650 is illustrated by which more illustrative details can be understood. The telemetry system can be used to monitor the conditions (for example soil moisture for an agricultural operation) of the underground material 1622 (for example, soil). Modulator 1510, switching mode amplifier 1514, multiturn coil 1518 and independent power supply 1520 can be packaged in a waterproof case 1602 and can be coupled to sensor 1502 via wires or cables

1604. The waterproof box can be installed in a 1606 hole dug (drilled, drilled or otherwise formed) in the material, the sensor 1502 installed (for example, inserted into the undisturbed material) below a surface 1620 of the material and the filled hole (for example, refilled with the material removed when drilling the hole). Using techniques described in more detail below, communication can be achieved reliably even when the multi-turn coil is positioned within the material at least 0.3 meters (1 foot) from the surface of the material (shown as distance 1654) and the coil receiver is positioned outside the material at least 2 meters from the material surface (shown as distance 1652). In some embodiments, communications can be supported when the multiturn coil is separated by a distance (shown as distance 1650) of at least 3 meters from the receiving coil.

[00144] The telemetry system 1600 may further include a receiving coil 1608 positioned outside material 1602 (for example, above surface 1620). A 1610 data detector can be coupled to the receiving coil. The current driven to the multiturn coil 1518 by the switching mode amplifier 1514 can induce a current in the receiving coil by mutual induction. From the current, the data encoded in the carrier by the 1510 modulator can be detected. The detected data can be stored in a memory (for example, a smart card; not shown) or communicated using other means (for example, via a wired connection, a wireless connection, etc .; not shown) to a desired location (for example, using techniques described above).

[00145] As mentioned above, communicating data wirelessly from within material 1622 faces a number of challenges. Traditional electromagnetic waves of propagation are generally not practical due to the high attenuation of the material. For example, a communication link that can operate through dry soil (relatively lower conductivity) may be unable to communicate when the soil becomes wet (higher conductivity) due to increased attenuation. In addition, typical antenna structures without using wires are highly sensitive to the environment in which they are installed. For example, the variation in the electromagnetic properties of the material (for example, conductivity, permeability, permissiveness) affects the performance (radiation resistance, impedance in resonance, radiation efficiency) of an antenna arranged inside the material, which can cause the antenna performance still vary, impacting the reliability of the communications link. In addition, for commercially practical carrier frequencies (discussed further below), the wavelength at the carrier frequency within the material will be much larger than the antenna size, making it not feasible to relay propagating electromagnetic waves.

[00146] The modalities of the telemetry system 1500 can help address these challenges by using short distance magnetic coupling. However, even using short-distance magnetic coupling presents challenges. For example, the amount of coupling (mutual inductance) between multiturn coil 1518 and receiver coil 1608 drops rapidly as the coils are separated. Consequently, providing commercially useful communication bands requires that relatively high currents be developed on the multiturn coil. This is quite difficult in a power-restricted application (for example, the 1520 independent power supply is a battery). In addition, the amount of coupling tends to be low when the coil diameter is small.

[00147] Although longer distance communication can be achieved using a larger coil, proportionally larger the enclosure and the excavation must be. Using a multiturn coil, it is possible to generate a higher level of magnetic field, but at the expense of requiring a higher triggering electrical voltage, further impacting the potential battery life. Even so, at commercially practical carrier frequencies, reasonable coil diameters are much smaller (for example, less than 1 / 100th) than the wavelength of the carrier frequency within the material.

[00148] According to some modalities of the telemetry system, the transmission coil can be a multiturn coil having a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters (about 12 inches). In some embodiments, the multiturn coil may have a diameter of less than about 0.15 meters (about 6 inches). In some embodiments, the coil can have a number of turns between 10 and 100. With such sizes, the packaging of the multi-turn coil in a suitable wrapping for burying or other implementation in the field becomes practical.

[00149] With such a small coil size and the high impedance (for example, 500 ohms or greater) that results from the multiturn nature of the coil, a high actuating electrical voltage (for example, 100 volts or greater) is used to provide a magnetic field with sufficiently high power to allow commercially useful communication bands. However, a typical independent power supply, such as a battery, can provide only relatively low voltages (for example, less than 12 V, about 4.5 V, about 3 V, etc.). The efficient development of high voltages from a low voltage source is another challenge.

[00150] Consequently, a 1514 switched mode amplifier can be used to address one or more of these challenges. The switching mode amplifier can be designed to minimize electrical voltage and / or current during the amplifier's switching transients (for example, when the primary active device on the amplifier is switching). The 1518 multiturn coil has an impedance (in the carrier frequency) that is part of the amplifier's load network. Additional reactive components (for example, capacitors, inductors) can be used to tune the load network to form a resonant circuit at the carrier frequency. By maintaining a relatively good Q factor (for example, greater than about 10) in the load network, the load network can also help to reduce harmonic components.

[00151] Figure 17 illustrates an example of a 1514 switching mode amplifier. The topology is similar to a "class E" amplifier and, in some embodiments, the switching mode amplifier can be a class E amplifier. The switching mode amplifier includes a switching device (for example, a transistor) 1702 coupled to a load network 1704 (which includes multiturn coil 1518, which although not shown in Figure 17, can be connected to a output 1516 of the switching mode amplifier). The load network may include an inductor 1705 and capacitors 1706a, 1706b to tune the load network as described above. Even though the switching mode amplifier can be powered at terminal 1707 by a relatively low electrical voltage (for example, from the independent power supply, as described above), the resulting electrical voltages in the load network can be quite high ( for example, above 100 volts), providing sufficient current flow (for example, above 100 milliamps). In general, the switching mode amplifier can be designed to minimize electrical voltage and / or current through the switching device when the switching device transitions between the on and off states, thereby reducing power. Carrier 1708 input to the switching mode amplifier can be provided by a processor as described in more detail below.

[00152] The carrier frequency impacts both the efficiency of the switched mode amplifier 1514 and the range of communications that can be achieved by the telemetry system 1500. In some embodiments, the switching mode amplifier can provide an energy conversion efficiency of at least 90%. On the one hand, the higher carrier frequency allows greater strength of the magnetic field for a given 1518 multiturn coil size (potentially allowing for a longer range), but this is compensated for by the reduced efficiency of the amplifier and the increased attenuation of the magnetic field by the material .

In addition, for sufficiently high carrier frequencies (for example, above 1705 kHz), field strength limits imposed by regulatory agencies may prohibit the operation and implementation of devices or require special licenses to be obtained.

On the other hand, although the lower carrier frequency may result in less attenuation by the material, the component values become challenging (for example, large inductors are required, which can be impractical) and the coupling between the multiturn coil and the receiving coil is greatly reduced, reducing the range of communications.

The regulatory limits for radiated emissions make it difficult to operate at higher frequencies.

In contrast, at lower frequencies, regulatory limits are generally easier to comply with, and therefore operation at lower frequencies may allow operation at higher field strengths, allowing for a longer range.

In some embodiments, the electric field produced by the multiturn coil can be less than a level of 24000 / F volts per meter (V / m) when measured at a distance of 30 meters from the multiturn coil, where F is the carrier frequency in kilohertz (kHz). In some embodiments, the electric field may be less than a level of 2400 / FV / m when measured at a distance of 300 meters.

[00153] As a result, operation below 1705 kHz may allow unlicensed operation. More particularly, due to changes in regulatory limits below 490 kHz, operation below 490 kHz may allow unlicensed operation using an even greater field strength (resulting in a longer range). Operation below 9 kHz is a challenge due to the low coupling (low electrical voltage induced in the receiving coil), large component values and some regulatory limits prohibiting some forms of communication at frequencies below 9 kHz. Consequently, in some embodiments, the carrier frequency can be between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz. Operation above 50 kHz may allow for a more useful communication range. Consequently, in some embodiments, the carrier frequency can be between about 50 kHz and about 490 kHz.

[00154] Returning to the 1510 modulator, several techniques can be used to implement the modulator. As shown in Figure 17, in one embodiment, the modulator can be implemented using a 1710 digital processor. The digital processor may have an input port 1712 which can provide a means for obtaining sensor data from environmental sensor 1502 (not shown in Figure 17). A 1714 memory can be coupled to the processor and provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing instructions on it for the processor. In some embodiments, the processor and memory can be provided by a single integrated circuit. Instructions can, for example, comprise software to cause the processor to perform various functions for the telemetry system (for example, sampling sensors, multiplexing multiple sensor measurements together, determining sampling intervals, timing measurements, etc.). In some embodiments, instructions can cause the processor to generate the carrier in the form of a digital signal output from a 1716 processor output port. Consequently, the instruction processor can provide a means to encode the sensor data in a carrier. For example, instructions may include a software module driven by a regular timing source (for example, an interrupt, timing circuit and other techniques known to those skilled in the art) to generate a periodic signal with a desired frequency. For example, the carrier can be generated as a substantially square wave, which, as described above, is converted by the switching mode amplifier 1514 into a substantially sine wave. The carrier output from the processor may not be precisely a square wave due to several factors, including, but not limited to: limited rate of change of the input / output port, noise and other factors known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the resulting sine wave produced by the amplifier may not be precisely sinusoidal due to several factors, including, but not limited to, harmonic content, noise and other factors known to those skilled in the art.

[00155] The information can be encoded in the carrier by varying at least one square wave parameter. For example, the parameter can be the duty cycle (amplitude modulation), frequency (frequency modulation), phase (phase modulation) or combinations thereof. In some modalities, the information can be encoded using an on-off switch, which provides benefits in both simplicity and reduced energy consumption. For example, a digital zero can be represented by a zero amplitude and a digital zero can be represented by the maximum amplitude. Consequently, in some embodiments, instructions to the processor may cause the processor to directly generate the carrier with an on-off switch, by emitting a square wave during the intervals corresponding to "one" and not providing output during the intervals corresponding to " zero".

[00156] In some modalities, the sensor data can be encoded in the carrier using an asynchronous communications protocol having a predetermined transmission rate. For example, the transmission rate can be between about 400 and about 2000 bauds per second. Using an asynchronous communications protocol can provide a very efficient implementation (for example, several processors include built-in serial communication ports that can be leveraged for that use). Data can be transmitted in a periodic burst and the amplifier can be turned off between bursts to save energy. The 1500 system can use techniques described above in the context of the 1200 system, for example, further minimizing energy consumption using dynamic transmission schemes.

[00157] In addition to the modalities described using software, several modalities can also be implemented mainly in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits ("ASICs") or field programmable port arrangements ("FPGAs") . The implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described in this document will also be evident to those skilled in the relevant technique. Various modalities can also be implemented using a combination of hardware and software.

[00158] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various logic blocks, modules, circuits and illustrative method steps described in connection with the figures described above and with the modalities disclosed in this document can often be implemented as electronic hardware, software computer or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, several components, blocks, modules, circuits and illustrative steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and the design restrictions imposed on the general system. Those skilled in the Art can implement the functionality described in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a divergence from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is to facilitate description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without diverging from the invention.

[00159] In addition, the various logic blocks, modules and illustrative methods described in connection with the modalities disclosed in this document can be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor ("DSP"), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete port or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination of these designed to perform the functions described in this document. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but, alternatively, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, several microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core or any other such configuration.

[00160] Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the modalities disclosed in this document can be incorporated directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor or in a combination thereof. A software module can reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium, including a storage medium. network. An illustrative storage medium can be coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can also reside in an ASIC.

[00161] Various modifications to these modalities will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described in this document can be applied to other modalities without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it should be understood that the description and drawings presented in this document represent currently preferred modalities and are, therefore, representative of the subject that is widely contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other modalities that may be obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope is therefore not limited.

[00162] Although several modalities have been described above, it should be understood that they were presented only as an illustration, and not as a limitation. The breadth and scope must not be limited by any of the illustrative modalities described above. For the sake of clarity, the technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured. When this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to a person skilled in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to those skilled in the art now or at any time in the future. In addition, the modalities described are not restricted to the illustrated architectures or illustrative configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. As will become evident to a person skilled in the art after reading this document, the illustrated modalities and their various alternatives can be implemented without confining the illustrated example. One skilled in the art would also understand how the functional, logical or alternative physical division and configurations could be used to implement the desired characteristics of the described modalities.

[00163] The singular forms "one", "one" and "o / a" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; although items, elements or components can be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is considered to be within its scope unless the limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of extended words and phrases, such as "one or more", "at least", "but not limited to" or other similar phrases in some cases, should not be understood as meaning that the more restricted case is intended or required in some cases where such open phrases may be missing. The term "several" means two or more. The order of the stages of the disclosed processes may be changed unless otherwise specified or otherwise clear in the context. Unless stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or memory described as being configured to perform a task can be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or a specific component that is manufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term "processor" refers to one or more devices, circuits or processing cores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions. The term "coupled to" and the like used in this document includes direct coupling and / or indirect coupling between items via an intermediate item, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art. For example, electronic elements can be coupled by a system of intermediate circuits that adjust electrical voltage, current, power, impedance or other properties of the electronic signal passed between the items. The terms "about", "substantially", and "approximately" and the like used in this document provide an industry-accepted tolerance for their corresponding term and / or relativity between items, such as, for example, manufacturing process limitations and measurement accuracy. The term "comprising" used in this document means "including, but not necessarily limited to"; specifically indicates unlimited inclusion or membership in the thus described combination, group, series and the like.

ILLUSTRATIVE MODALITIES

[00164] The following concise examples of various embodiments of the invention are now provided, the examples disclosing combinations of features described above above.

[00165] Example 1. A telemetry system to obtain environmental readings from within an electromagnetic absorption material, the system comprising: an environmental sensor having a sensor data output; a modulator having a data input coupled to the sensor data output and a signal output, in which the modulator encodes the data received at the data input in a carrier produced at the signal output and in which the carrier has a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz; a switching mode amplifier coupled to the signal output and having an amplifier output; a multiturn coil coupled to the amplifier output, where the multiturn coil has a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters and where the multiturn coil has a reactance at the carrier frequency that is part of a load network dependent on the frequency coupled to the amplifier; and an independent power supply coupled to the switching mode amplifier.

[00166] Example 2. The telemetry system of example 1, in which the modulator comprises a digital processor configured to generate the carrier.

[00167] Example 3. The telemetry system of example 2, in which the digital processor emits the carrier as a substantially square wave and in which the amplifier converts the substantially square wave into a substantially sinusoidal wave.

[00168] Example 4. The telemetry system of any of examples 1 to 3, in which the modulator encodes the data received at the data entry in the carrier using on-off switching.

[00169] Example 5. The telemetry system of any of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the switching mode amplifier is a Class E amplifier.

[00170] Example 6. The telemetry system of any of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising: a receiving coil positioned outside the material; and a data detector coupled to the receiving coil; and in which the receiving coil is separated from the multiturn coil by at least 2 meters.

[00171] Example 7. The telemetry system of example 6, in which the multiturn coil is positioned at least 0.6 meters from a material surface and the receiving coil is positioned outside the material and at least 2 meters from the surface of material.

[00172] Example 8. The telemetry system of example 6, in which the multiturn coil is positioned at least 0.3 meters from a material surface and the receiving coil is positioned outside the material and at least 3 meters from the surface of material.

[00173] Example 9. The telemetry system of example 6, in which the receiving coil is mounted on a mobile structure.

[00174] Example 10. The telemetry system of any of examples 1 to 9, in which the independent power source is one or more of: a battery, a fuel cell, a supercapacitor.

[00175] Example 11. The telemetry system of any of examples 1 to 9, in which the modulator, amplifier, multiturn coil and power supply are packaged in a waterproof box.

[00176] Example 12. Method of telemetry from within an electromagnetic absorption material, the method comprising: detecting an environmental condition within the material to produce sensor data;

encode the sensor data in a carrier having a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz; amplify the carrier using a switching mode amplifier to produce an amplified signal, wherein the switching mode amplifier is powered by an independent power source; and coupling the amplified signal to a multiturn coil, where the multiturn coil has a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters and where the multiturn coil has a reactance at the carrier frequency that is part of a frequency dependent load network to the amplifier.

[00177] Example 13. The method of example 12, in which the encoding of sensor data in a carrier comprises: generating a substantially square wave; modify at least one square wave parameter, in which at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of: amplitude, phase, frequency and combinations thereof; and wherein the amplifier converts the substantially square wave into a substantially sinusoidal wave.

[00178] Example 14. The method of any of Examples 12 and 13, in which the encoding of sensor data in a carrier further comprises: encoding the data using a serial asynchronous communications protocol having a predetermined transmission rate.

[00179] Example 15. The method of example 14, in which the transmission rate is between about 500 and about 2000 bauds per second.

[00180] Example 16. The method of any of Examples 12 to 15, further comprising:

position a receiving coil outside the material; and detecting the data using the current induced in the receiving coil by mutual induction with the multiturn coil.

[00181] Example 17. The method of any of Examples 12 to 15, further comprising: positioning the receiving coil at least 2 meters from a surface of the material, and in which the multiturn coil is positioned at least 0.3 meters of a material surface.

[00182] Example 18. The method of any of examples 12 to 17, in which data is transmitted in a periodic burst and the amplifier is turned off between bursts.

[00183] Example 19. The method of example 18, in which a burst interval is varied using a dynamic sensor data transmission scheme.

[00184] Example 20. Telemetry system to obtain environmental readings from inside an electromagnetic absorption material, the system comprising: a means to obtain data from the sensor; a means for encoding the sensor data in a carrier, wherein the carrier has a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz; a means to amplify the carrier having an energy conversion efficiency of at least 90 percent; a multiturn coil coupled to the medium for amplification, wherein the multiturn coil has a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters; and an independent power supply coupled to the medium for amplification.

[00185] Example 21. Any previous example, where the carrier frequency is between about 50 kHz and about 490 kHz.

[00186] Example 22. Any previous example, in which the carrier frequency has a wavelength inside the material and the wavelength is much greater than the diameter of the multiturn coil.

[00187] Example 23. Any previous example, in which the material is one or more among: soil, water, rock, concrete and combinations thereof.

[00188] Example 24. Any previous example, in which the material has a variable electromagnetic parameter selected from the group consisting of: permissiveness, permeability, conductivity and combinations thereof.

[00189] Example 25. Any previous example, in which the sensor data comprise one or more among: humidity measurement, temperature measurements and salinity measurements.

[00190] Example 26. Any previous example, in which an electric field produced by the multiturn coil is less than a level of about 24000 / F volts / meter when measured at a distance of 30 meters from the multiturn coil, where F is the carrier frequency in kilohertz.

[00191] Example 27. Any previous example, in which an electric field produced by the multiturn coil is less than a level of about 2400 / F volts / meter when measured at a distance of 300 meters from the multiturn coil, where F is the carrier frequency in kilohertz.

Claims (26)

1. Telemetry system to obtain environmental readings from inside an electromagnetic absorption material, characterized by the fact that it comprises: an environmental sensor having a sensor data output; a modulator having a data input coupled to the sensor data output and a signal output, in which the modulator encodes the data received at the data input on a carrier produced at the signal output, and where the carrier has a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz; a switching mode amplifier coupled to the signal output and having an amplifier output; a multiturn coil coupled to the amplifier output, where the multiturn coil has a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters and where the multiturn coil has a reactance at the carrier frequency that is part of a load network dependent on the frequency coupled to the amplifier; and an independent power supply coupled to the switching mode amplifier. 2. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the carrier frequency is between about 50 kHz and about 490 kHz. 3. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the carrier frequency has a wavelength inside the material and the wavelength is much greater than the diameter of the multiturn coil. 4. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the modulator comprises a digital processor configured to generate the carrier. 5. Telemetry system, according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the digital processor emits the carrier as a substantially square wave, and in which the amplifier converts the substantially square wave into a substantially sine wave. 6. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the environmental sensor comprises one or more among: a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor and a salinity sensor. 7. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the modulator encodes the data received at the data entry in the carrier using on-off switching. 8. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it still comprises: a receiving coil positioned outside the material; and a data detector coupled to the receiving coil; and in which the receiving coil is separated from the multiturn coil by at least 2 meters. 9. Telemetry system according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the multiturn coil is positioned at least 0.3 meters from a material surface and the receiving coil is positioned outside the material and at least 2 meters of the material surface. 10. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the material is one or more among: soil, water, rock, concrete and combinations thereof. 11. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the material has a variable electromagnetic parameter selected from the group consisting of: permittivity, permeability, conductivity and combinations thereof. 12. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the independent power source is one or more among: a battery, a fuel cell, a supercapacitor. 13. Telemetry system, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the modulator, amplifier, multiturn coil and independent power supply are packaged in a waterproof box. 14. Telemeasuring method from inside an electromagnetic absorption material, characterized by the fact that it comprises: detecting an environmental condition inside the material to produce sensor data; encode the sensor data in a carrier having a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz; amplify the carrier using a switching mode amplifier to produce an amplified signal, wherein the switching mode amplifier is powered by an independent power source; and coupling the amplified signal to a multiturn coil, where the multiturn coil has a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters and where the multiturn coil has a reactance at the carrier frequency that is part of a load network dependent on the coupled frequency to the amplifier. 15. Method according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the carrier frequency is between about 50 kHz and about 490 kHz. 16. Method according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the carrier frequency has a wavelength within the material and the wavelength is much greater than the diameter of the multiturn coil. 17. Method, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the encoding of the sensor data in a carrier comprises: generating a substantially square wave; modify at least one square wave parameter, in which at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of: duty cycle, phase, frequency and combinations thereof; and wherein the amplifier converts the substantially square wave into a substantially sinusoidal wave. 18. Method, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the sensor data comprise one or more among: humidity measurements, temperature measurements and salinity measurements. 19. Method, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the encoding of the sensor data in a carrier further comprises: encoding the data using a serial asynchronous communication protocol having a predetermined transmission rate. 20. Method according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the transmission rate is between about 500 and about 2000 bauds per second. 21. Method, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that it still comprises: positioning a receiving coil outside the material; and detecting the data using the current induced in the receiving coil by mutual induction with the multiturn coil. 22. Method, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that it still comprises: positioning the receiving coil at least 2 meters from a surface of the material, and in which the multiturn coil is positioned at least 0.3 meters from a surface of the material. 23. Method according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that an electric field produced by the multiturn coil is less than a level of about 24,000 / F volts / meter when measured at a distance of 30 meters from the multiturn coil, in that F is the carrier frequency in kilohertz. 24. Method according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that an electric field produced by the multiturn coil is less than a level of about 2,400 / F volts / meter when measured at a distance of 300 meters from the multiturn coil, in that F is the carrier frequency in kilohertz. 25. Method according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that data is transmitted in a periodic burst and the amplifier is turned off between bursts. 26. Telemetry system to obtain environmental readings from inside an electromagnetic absorption material, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a means to obtain data from the sensor; a means for encoding the sensor data in a carrier, wherein the carrier has a carrier frequency between about 9 kHz and about 1705 kHz; a means to amplify the carrier having an energy conversion efficiency of at least 90 percent; a multiturn coil coupled to the amplification means, the multiturn coil having a diameter of less than about 0.3 meters; and an independent power supply coupled to the amplification means.