Techniques are described for using one or more wireless host devices to perform tire localization of TPMS sensor data by determining received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signatures that are unique to the wireless communication channel between a host device and each TPMS sensor. RSSI signatures represents a periodic variation of the wireless communication channel between a host device on the car body and a TPMS sensor in a rotating tire. Characteristics of the communication channel is a function of the wheel angle and is periodic with wheel rotations. The RSSI signatures may be created by matching RSSI measurements of packets received by the host device from a TPMS sensor with wheel angles derived from wheel speed sensor (WSS) data of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). The RSSI signatures are a unique marker of each wheel that may be used to identify the locations of the TPMS sensors for tire localization.

A tire pressure monitoring system is configured to communicate with a tire pressure sensor and has an antenna assembly and a transmitter. The antenna assembly has a transmitting and a cancelling antenna. The transmitting antenna has a wire loop defined by a plurality of coils with a first terminal and a second terminal. The cancelling antenna has a wire loop defined by a plurality of coils with a first terminal and a second terminal. The arrangement of the transmitting antenna and the cancelling antenna defines a proximal zone wherein a field from the transmitting antenna is configured to be sufficient to actuate the tire pressure monitor, while beyond the proximal zone, a field from the cancelling antenna cancels the field from the transmitting antenna. The transmitter is coupled to the transmitting antenna, and the cancelling antenna. An antenna and methods are likewise disclosed.

Techniques are described for using one or more wireless host devices to perform tire localization of TPMS sensor data by determining received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signatures that are unique to the wireless communication channel between a host device and each TPMS sensor. RSSI signatures represents a periodic variation of the wireless communication channel between a host device on the car body and a TPMS sensor in a rotating tire. Characteristics of the communication channel is a function of the wheel angle and is periodic with wheel rotations. The RSSI signatures may be created by matching RSSI measurements of packets received by the host device from a TPMS sensor with wheel angles derived from wheel speed sensor (WSS) data of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). The RSSI signatures are a unique marker of each wheel that may be used to identify the locations of the TPMS sensors for tire localization.

An aspect of the invention relates to a method for the radio-oriented optimization of wheel monitoring in a vehicle equipped with vehicle wheels, wherein the monitoring of at least one of the vehicle wheels is prompted by an electronic wheel unit arranged on the relevant vehicle wheel capturing at least one wheel operating parameter of the vehicle wheel, and radio signals containing information about the at least one captured wheel operating parameter being transmitted for a respective wheel rotational position of the vehicle wheel, stipulated by the electronic wheel unit, wherein the radio signals are received and evaluated by a control device of the vehicle and wherein the radio-oriented optimization of the wheel monitoring is prompted by the electronic wheel unit being used to transmit multiple radio signals for different wheel rotational positions, wherein the radio signals are received by means of the control device and rated in respect of their respective radio signal strength, wherein the control device is used to transmit an optimization radio signal to the electronic wheel unit, wherein the optimization radio signal contains optimization information formed on the basis of the rating of the radio signals, and wherein the electronic wheel unit is used to receive the optimization radio signal, and the optimization information contained therein is taken into consideration for the stipulation of the wheel rotational position of the vehicle wheel for radio signals that are to be transmitted subsequently.

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) includes a plurality of beacon transmitters each provided at different locations and each configured to transmit a plurality of beacons; a first TPMS sensor module configured to receive the plurality of beacons from each of the plurality of beacon transmitters, measure a signal strength of each of the plurality of beacons from each of the plurality of beacon transmitters, and transmit a signal including a first signal strength value for each of the plurality of beacon transmitters, each first signal strength value being representative of the measured signal strength of one or more of the plurality of beacons from a corresponding beacon transmitter of the plurality of beacon transmitters; and a control unit configured to receive the signal and determine a location of the first TPMS sensor module based on the first signal strength value for each of the plurality of beacon transmitters.

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) includes a plurality of beacon transmitters each provided at different locations and each configured to transmit a plurality of beacons; a first TPMS sensor module configured to receive the plurality of beacons from each of the plurality of beacon transmitters, measure a signal strength of each of the plurality of beacons from each of the plurality of beacon transmitters, and transmit a signal including a first signal strength value for each of the plurality of beacon transmitters, each first signal strength value being representative of the measured signal strength of one or more of the plurality of beacons from a corresponding beacon transmitter of the plurality of beacon transmitters; and a control unit configured to receive the signal and determine a location of the first TPMS sensor module based on the first signal strength value for each of the plurality of beacon transmitters.

A method for initialising a tyre monitoring device including a wireless communication interface and tyre monitoring devices and systems using the method are disclosed. The method includes operating the tyre monitoring device in a first mode, in the first mode the tyre monitoring device is only responsive to an initialisation instruction received over the wireless communication interface from the second device; receiving an initialisation instruction over the wireless communication interface while operating in the first mode; and, responsive to the initialisation instruction, operating the tyre monitoring device in a second mode in which the tyre monitoring device is responsive to instructions received over the wireless communication interface. The first mode draws lower power than the second mode so power draw prior to initialisation, for example while storage awaiting use, is reduced.

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for sensor auto-location using phased antenna array beamforming are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of sensor auto-location using phased antenna array beamforming includes sending a radio frequency (RF) signal beam directed towards a given tire placement direction of a vehicle. In this embodiment, the method includes receiving an acknowledgement from a sensor and determining whether one or more signal attributes indicated in the acknowledgement are within one or more predefined ranges for the one or more signal attributes and corresponding to the given tire placement direction. In response to the one or more signal attributes being within the one or more predefined ranges, the method includes determining that the sensor is fitted on the given tire placement direction.

The invention relates to a method for self-tracking of a data acquisition sensor equipping a wheel including a tire on a vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels (200) and being equipped with a system comprising an electronic unit (300) for a data acquisition sensor placed in each tire equipped with a radio-frequency transmitter for the purpose of the wireless transmission of said data to a central transmission and reception module (100) placed on the axle or frame of the vehicle, with the central transmission and reception module (100) receiving and decoding the information signals issued by the transmitters of each wheel, each electronic unit (300) being equipped to measure acceleration. The method is remarkable in that it consists of determining the front and rear of a tire by measuring the acceleration.

A communication device mounting position determination system and apparatus are provided configured to limit where a device can be installed in a vehicle. An ECU transmits an LF signal from an LF antenna to sensor units. The sensor units receive and detect the signal strength. The sensor units transmit a UHF signal to the ECU having information including the signal strength of the LF signal. The ECU detects the signal strength of the UHF signals. For example, on the basis of the signal strength of the LF signal, the ECU makes a determination as to which of the wheels is the transmission source of the UHF signal, with respect to the left-right direction of the body of the vehicle. Further, on the basis of the signal strength of the UHF signal received by the ECU, the ECU makes the determination with respect to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.