Abstract: An unattended sensor is provided for use in a surveillance system. The sensor is generally comprised of: a detector; a signal processor; a radio transceiver; a power source; and a controller which configures the sensor in either a sensor mode or a relay mode. When configured in the sensor mode, the detector and signal processor are operational and the transceiver is non-operational. When configured in the relay mode, the transceiver is operational but the detector and signal processor are non-operational. In an alternative approach, the detector and the signal process may remain operational in the relay mode.

Abstract: A sensor system includes N sensor system modules that each include respective sensor function modules for processing and communicating signals from at least one external detector. M slave modules selectively control power to the sensor function modules. M and N are integers greater than one. A master power control module serially controls the M slave modules via a bus based on functions of the sensor function modules.

Abstract: An unattended sensor is provided for use in a surveillance system. The sensor is generally comprised of: a detector that generates an electrical signal in response to a physical stimulus proximate to the sensor; a signal processor adapted to receive the electrical signal from the detector and operable to generate an event message based on the electrical signal; a transceiver operable to send and receive messages over a wireless radio link; and a channel access mechanism operable to negotiate access to the radio link in accordance with an access protocol, where the access protocol is employed by radios and other communication devices in the system.

Abstract: An unattended sensor is provided for use in a surveillance system. The sensor is generally comprised of: a detector; a signal processor; a radio transceiver; a power source; and a controller which configures the sensor in either a sensor mode or a relay mode. When configured in the sensor mode, the detector and signal processor are operational and the transceiver is non-operational. When configured in the relay mode, the transceiver is operational but the detector and signal processor are non-operational. In an alternative approach, the detector and the signal process may remain operational in the relay mode.