Control of sensor networks based on induced voltage

Abstract

This invention describes a method for a sensor network (2) having sensor nodes (3) for use in a control technology system (1). The method comprises the following steps: - deactivating the sensor nodes (3) of the sensor network (2) (S1); - determining (S2) the induced voltage (U) in the coil (4) of the sensor node (3) and / or in the coil (4) of the sensor network (2). e ), wherein the induced voltage (U e ) is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system (1); - the determined induced voltage (U) is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system (1). e ) and reference voltage (U R The sensor node (3) is compared (S3); and activated (S4) based on the comparison. The invention also describes a sensor network (2) of the technical system (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for controlling a sensor network with sensor nodes in a technical system. The invention also relates to sensor networks. This invention can be used, in particular, to control a sensor network with sensor nodes in a technical system. Background Technology

[0002] Continuous or periodic monitoring of machines and technical systems is advantageous. Within the realm of digitalization, there is an increasing demand for monitoring the physical parameters of machines and technical systems. Measurements of physical parameters, such as temperature, vibration, pressure, humidity, etc., are increasingly being made via battery-powered sensor nodes using wireless communication (mostly Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)). These sensor nodes periodically monitor measurement data. To conserve energy, the sensor nodes remain in a dormant state between periodic measurements. During this period, most functions are deactivated, preventing measurement detection. If a significant, sudden event occurs during the dormant state, representing an important measurement event, it will not be detected by the sensor node. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to describe an improved monitoring solution for technical systems.

[0004] This invention derives from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous extensions and designs are the subject of the dependent claims. Other features, applications, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

[0005] One aspect of the invention is to control a sensor network with sensor nodes in a technical system such that these sensor nodes are activated only when the magnetic field generated by the technical system can be determined in the form of an induced voltage. Additionally, sensor node activation can be performed in a frequency-selective manner.

[0006] This invention claims a method for a sensor network with sensor nodes for use in a control technology system, the method comprising the steps of:

[0007] - Deactivate the sensor nodes of the sensor network:

[0008] - Determine the induced voltage in the coil (e.g., in an air coil) of the sensor node and / or the sensor network, wherein the induced voltage is generated by a magnetic field produced by the technical system;

[0009] - Compare the determined induced voltage with the reference voltage; and

[0010] - The sensor node is activated based on the comparison (e.g., via a reactivation pulse).

[0011] A controller / circuit for a sensor network is proposed, which uses a coil (e.g., an air-core coil, a coil with a soft iron core, or a coil with a dielectric) as a sensor element. A magnetic field passing through the coil induces a voltage in the coil, referred to as the induced voltage. This induced voltage can be compared to a reference voltage, for example, by means of a comparator or a Schmitt trigger. If the induced voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the output of the Schmitt trigger can therefore be switched from a low signal level to a high signal level, thereby triggering an interrupt at the microcontroller.

[0012] The comparison between the determined induced voltage and the reference voltage can be performed analogically or digitally. For example, the determined induced voltage can be digitally compared with the reference voltage by digitizing the induced voltage and comparing it mathematically with a numerical value, where the numerical value represents the reference voltage.

[0013] In another embodiment, the method according to the invention includes the additional step of amplifying the induced voltage by an operational amplifier after determining the induced voltage and before comparing the induced voltage with a reference voltage. Amplifying the induced voltage has the advantage that it makes it easier to determine the induced voltage.

[0014] In another embodiment, the method according to the invention includes the additional step of filtering the induced voltage to a predetermined frequency domain using a suitable filter (e.g., a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, or a band-pass filter) after determining the induced voltage and before comparing the induced voltage with a reference voltage. Filtering the induced voltage has the advantage of allowing selection of a frequency domain that is particularly critical in existing systems.

[0015] In another embodiment, the method according to the invention includes the additional step of filtering the induced voltage to a predetermined frequency domain using a filter after amplifying the induced voltage by an operational amplifier and before comparing the induced voltage with a reference voltage. Filtering the induced voltage has the advantage of allowing selection of a frequency domain that is particularly critical in existing systems.

[0016] In another implementation, the pre-given frequency domain is selected based on the characteristics of the technical system.

[0017] This is achieved through a filter: the reactivation pulse (sensor node activation based on comparison) is frequency-dependent. If the sensor node should only be reactivated / activated if the monitored system or its machinery emits a characteristic magnetic field in a specific frequency domain, the size of the filter can therefore be determined to be a narrow band around the corresponding frequency domain. All other frequencies are filtered out by this filter, thereby preventing the sensor node from being reactivated / activated.

[0018] In another implementation, the comparison can be performed via a comparison unit, wherein the comparison unit is a comparator and / or a Schmitt trigger.

[0019] In another implementation, the sensor node is reactivated when the induced voltage is greater than the reference voltage.

[0020] In another implementation, a sensor node detects measurement data, which is then transmitted to an evaluation unit via wireless communication technology (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)). The measurement data can then be analyzed within the evaluation unit.

[0021] The present invention further claims a sensor network for a technical system, the sensor network having:

[0022] - Sensor nodes, wherein the sensor nodes are deactivated and can be activated;

[0023] - A coil (e.g., an air coil), wherein an induced voltage can be generated in the coil, wherein the induced voltage is generated by a magnetic field produced by the technical system;

[0024] - A determining unit, wherein the determining unit is configured to determine the induced voltage generated in the coil;

[0025] - A comparison unit, wherein the comparison unit is configured to perform a comparison between the induced voltage and a reference voltage; and

[0026] - A control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform deactivation and activation of the sensor nodes of the sensor network based on the comparison.

[0027] In another embodiment, the sensor network is configured to perform the method according to the invention.

[0028] In another embodiment, the sensor node has an electrical energy storage device. These sensor nodes may be, for example, battery-operated or battery-powered.

[0029] In another embodiment, the technical system has a machine, wherein the sensor nodes detect the physical parameters of the machine.

[0030] In another embodiment, the physical parameters include: temperature, vibration, pressure, and / or humidity.

[0031] This invention offers the following advantages: once the technical system and / or its (electrical) machinery is turned off, the sensor node can be placed in a static state by deactivation. The reactivation of the technical system and / or its (electrical) machinery can be determined by the induced voltage in the coil, and the sensor node can be reactivated / re-activated. Here, the induced voltage is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system and / or its (electrical) machinery. This method substantially helps to save energy, for example, during battery operation. Therefore, battery / accumulator life can be significantly extended, and thus maintenance costs can be greatly reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments with the aid of schematic diagrams, wherein:

[0033] Figure 1 A flowchart of the method according to the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 A block diagram of a sensor network is shown; and

[0035] Figure 3 The sensor node is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 A method for a sensor network 2 with sensor nodes 3 for a control technology system 1 according to the present invention is shown. The method comprises the following steps:

[0037] 1. Method step S1: Deactivate sensor node 3 of the sensor network 2;

[0038] 2. Method step S2: Determine the induced voltage U in sensor node 3 and / or coil 4 (e.g., air coil) of sensor network 2. e The induced voltage U e It is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system 1;

[0039] 3. Method step S3: The determined induced voltage U e With reference voltage U R Comparison; and

[0040] 4. Method step S4: Activate the sensor node 3 according to the comparison.

[0041] This method may also include the following additional steps: determining the induced voltage U e Then, and in the induced voltage U e With reference voltage U R Before comparison, the induced voltage U is amplified by an operational amplifier. e .

[0042] This method may also include the following additional steps: determining the induced voltage U e The induced voltage U is then amplified by an operational amplifier. e Then, and in the induced voltage U e With reference voltage U R Before comparison, the induced voltage U is filtered. e Filter to a predefined frequency domain.

[0043] The pre-given frequency domain can be selected here based on the characteristics of the technical system 1.

[0044] Based on the determined induced voltage U e With reference voltage U R The sensor node 3 is reactivated by comparison. If the induced voltage (U) e For example, greater than the reference voltage (U) R If this is done, the sensor node 3 can be reactivated.

[0045] Figure 2 A block diagram of a sensor network 2 of the technical system 1 is shown. The sensor network 2 has sensor nodes 3, which are deactivated and activatable.

[0046] These sensor nodes 3 can have electric energy storage devices.

[0047] These sensor nodes 3 can detect measurement data, which can be transmitted to the evaluation unit by means of wireless communication technology.

[0048] The sensor network 2 (or one of these sensor nodes 3) also has a coil 4, in which an induced voltage U can be generated. e The induced voltage U is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system 1. e .

[0049] Sensor network 2 also has a determining unit 5, wherein the determining unit 5 is configured to determine the induced voltage U generated in coil 4. e .

[0050] The sensor network 2 further includes a comparison unit 6, which is configured to perform induced voltage U e With reference voltage U R A comparison.

[0051] The comparison unit 6 can be a comparator and / or a Schmitt trigger.

[0052] The sensor network 2 further includes a control unit 7, which is configured to perform deactivation and activation of the sensor nodes 3 of the sensor network 2 based on the comparison.

[0053] Alternatively, the coil 4, the determining unit 5, the comparing unit 6, and the control unit 7 can also be directly constructed / integrated into the sensor node 3 (see Appendix). Figure 3 ).

[0054] The technology system 1 may have a machine, wherein the sensor node 3 detects the physical parameters of the machine.

[0055] The physical parameters may include current temperature, current vibration, current pressure, and / or current humidity.

[0056] Figure 3 Sensor node 3 is shown. This sensor node includes a coil 4, a determining unit 5, a comparing unit 6, and a control unit 7. Figure 2 Unlike the previous method, the coil 4, the determining unit 5, the comparing unit 6, and the control unit 7 are directly constructed / integrated in the sensor node 3, rather than in the sensor network 2.

[0057] Although the invention has been explained and described in further detail through these embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0058] List of reference numerals

[0059] 1. Technical System

[0060] 2 Sensor Networks

[0061] 3 sensor nodes

[0062] 4 coils

[0063] 5. Determine the unit

[0064] 6 Comparison Unit

[0065] 7 Control Unit

[0066] S1 Method Step 1: Deactivate

[0067] S2 Method Step 2: Determine

[0068] S3 Method Step 3: Comparison

[0069] S4 Method Step 4: Activation

[0070] U e Induced voltage

[0071] U R Reference voltage

Claims

1. A method for controlling a sensor network (2) having sensor nodes (3) in a technology system (1), the method comprising the following steps: - Deactivate the sensor node (3) of the sensor network (2); - Determine the induced voltage (U) in the coil (4) of the sensor node (3) and / or in the coil (4) of the sensor network (2). e ), wherein the induced voltage (U) e It is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system (1); -The determined induced voltage (U) e ) and reference voltage (U R Comparison; and -Activate the sensor node (3) based on the comparison.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following additional steps: - In determining the induced voltage (U) e After that, and after applying the induced voltage (U) e ) and the reference voltage (U) R Before comparison, the induced voltage (U) is amplified by an operational amplifier. e ).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following additional steps: - In determining the induced voltage (U) e After that, and after applying the induced voltage (U) e ) and the reference voltage (U) R Before comparison, the induced voltage (U) is filtered using a suitable filter. e ) Filter to a pre-defined frequency domain.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method comprises the following additional steps: - The induced voltage (U) is amplified by the operational amplifier. e After that, and after applying the induced voltage (U) e ) and the reference voltage (U) R Before comparison, the induced voltage (U) is filtered using a suitable filter. e ) Filter to a pre-defined frequency domain.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pre-given frequency domain is selected based on the characteristics of the technical system (1).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the comparison can be performed by a comparison unit (6), wherein the comparison unit (6) is a comparator and / or a Schmitt trigger.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, In the induced voltage (U e ) greater than the reference voltage (U) R In the case of ), the sensor node (3) is reactivated.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The sensor node (3) detects measurement data, which is transmitted to the evaluation unit by means of wireless communication technology.

9. A sensor network (2) of a technical system (1), the sensor network having: - Sensor node (3), wherein the sensor node (3) is deactivated and can be activated; - Coil (4), wherein an induced voltage (U) can be generated in the coil (4). e ), wherein the induced voltage (U) e It is generated by the magnetic field produced by the technical system (1); - Determining unit (5), wherein the determining unit (5) is configured to determine the induced voltage (U) generated in the coil (4). e ); - Comparison unit (6), wherein the comparison unit (6) is configured to perform the induced voltage (U e ) and reference voltage (U R Comparison of ) and ) - Control unit (7), wherein the control unit (7) is configured to perform deactivation and activation of the sensor node (3) of the sensor network (2) according to the comparison.

10. The sensor network (2) according to claim 9, wherein the sensor network is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. The sensor network (2) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sensor node (3) has an electric energy storage device.

12. The sensor network (2) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the technical system (1) has a machine, wherein the sensor node (3) detects physical parameters of the machine.

13. The sensor network (2) according to claim 12, wherein the physical parameters include temperature, vibration, pressure and / or humidity.

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