The U.S. Congress has mandated that automobile manufacturers implement a tire pressure monitoring system by 2007 for automobiles operating in the U.S. Most manufacturers are currently offering this capability as an option on selected models. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System consists of a sensor/transmitter at each wheel and a receiver inside the car to monitor pressure in the tires. Once the sensor has been activated, it periodically transmits its unique ID and the pressure in the tire to the receiver. In turn, the pressure is compared to an acceptable level, and, if the pressure is outside the acceptable parameters, a warning is issued to the driver.

Dynetics has developed a configuration and test system for the plant floor that collects the tire sensor’s unique ID at each wheel position, including the spare tire, and sends these IDs to the server for later programming into the on-board module. In some instances the ID information is passed to a plant computer for automatic programming down line, or, the Dynetics system has the capability to store the IDs locally and manually download them to a vehicle diagnostic port.

Dynetics’ Tire Pressure Sensor Test System uses pairs of antennas that are adjacent to the vehicle on the manufacturing line. Once the wheel is in front of the antenna, the antenna is turned on, and an RF signal is used to activate the sensor. The sensor in turn responds with the ID, pressure and other information. The associated receiver collects this information and passes it to a server. The server software employs discrimination algorithms that insure the sensor is associated with the correct tire position on the vehicle. This robust collection system allows the manufacturers to collect the data and program the vehicle automatically.