Data communication apparatus, system, and method

Abstract

A data communication apparatus, system, and method are described. The data communication system comprises a transceiver disposed on an entrance port to an enclosure, such as an underground enclosure. The transceiver includes a housing, the housing mountable to the entrance port, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure. The data communication system also includes a monitoring device disposed in the underground enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure. The data communication system also includes a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device/sensor and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver.

1 . A data communication system, comprising:
 a transceiver including active electronics, an antenna, and Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry, the transceiver including a housing, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure;   a monitoring device disposed in the underground enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure;   a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device/sensor and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver; and   a visual indicator to indicate a state or condition of at least one of the underground enclosure and equipment disposed in the underground enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The data communication system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor detects at least one of: power, voltage, current, temperature, combustible materials or byproducts of combustion, mechanical strain, mechanical movement, humidity, soil condition, pressure, hazardous atmosphere, liquid flow, leakage, component end-of-life or lifetime, personnel presence, physical state, light level, and vibration. 
     
     
         4 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator comprises a light source. 
     
     
         5 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver includes a communications gateway unit. 
     
     
         6 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor analytics unit includes a digital signal processor. 
     
     
         7 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor analytics unit includes a wireless network communications chip. 
     
     
         8 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver unit includes a hardened above ground antenna and radio. 
     
     
         9 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to send aggregated information upstream to another aggregation node or cloud server above ground. 
     
     
         10 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power harvesting device coupled to at least one power line located in the enclosure 
     
     
         11 . The data communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to respond to messages sent to it by an upstream aggregation node or cloud.