Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: A response-adjustable temperature sensor (306, Rext), particularly for a transponder (102, 200, 400) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3C, 4B) to an external reader/interrogator (106). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system (210, 410), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory (238, 438) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings (436b), transponder ID and the like.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for resetting a directly resettable micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) (16e) having an unlatched state (24e) and latched state (26e) in an electronic tire tag (90). The resetting process includes providing the electronic tire tag (90) with a radio frequency RF antenna (102) directly electrically connected to the MTMS (16e) for applying thereto an RF signal 104 having a predetermined frequency f2; and providing transmitter structure (66e) for transmitting to the antenna (102) an RF signal (94) having the predetermined frequency (f2). The process includes disposing the tag within a tire and resetting the MTMS to the unlatched state subsequent to the tire reaching a predetermined temperature to cause the MTMS to go into the latched state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic tag (60) that includes a transponder (62) and a micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) (16a) having an unlatched state (24a) and latched state (26a) and a method of resetting the MTMS (16a). The method includes the step of providing second apparatus (68, 72) for providing a second D.C. signal (73) and an electronic switching circuit (67) for receiving the first and second D.C. signals (48a, 73). The electronic switching circuit (67) is connected for normally applying the first D.C. signal (48a) to the logic circuit (50a) and for diverting the first D.C. signal (48a) therefrom to the MTMS (16a) for resetting the MTMS (16a) in response to receiving the second D.C. signal (73).

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: A response-adjustable temperature sensor (306, Rext), particularly for a transponder (102, 200, 400) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3C, 4B) to an external reader/interrogator (106). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system (210, 410), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory (238, 438) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings (436b), transponder ID and the like.