Considerations to Improve Battery Life in Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring

Prior to the year 2001 direct tire pressure monitoring (TPM) has been limited to a feature on upscale vehicles or where “run-flat” tires were fitted; but starting in 2003 a NHSTA regulation will require tire inflation monitoring on all light duty vehicles sold in the United States. Direct tire pressure monitoring using in-tire pressure sensors with an RF data link have proven to be best approach to measuring tire pressure over the widest range of operating conditions. However, these systems need a battery power source requiring an overall life exceeding 10 years. Power management is therefore critical to success in providing a low cost, small size, and lightweight wheel sensor.