A multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device

Abstract

The application relates to a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device, comprising a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node and a plurality of wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes; the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node is configured with a plurality of antennas; after the antennas are connected through radio frequency cables, the antennas are arranged at proper positions in a measured environment respectively, so that radio frequency signal transmission between the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and any one of the antennas in the wireless sensor coordinator node avoids non-line-of-sight link communication; star type topology is adopted between the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and the wireless sensor nodes to complete networking, and according to a preset network transmission protocol time sequence, control operations of sensor network device network access and network exit, dormancy and wake-up, parameter sending and receiving are completed. The application is used for stable and reliable transmission under the flight working condition environment of a spacecraft cabin complex metal structure shielding, interference and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wireless sensor network measurement system, belonging to the field of wireless sensor technology. Background Technology

[0002] The introduction of wireless sensor networks into parameter measurement for large and complex industrial equipment such as rocket modules marks a significant evolution in measurement technology towards lightweighting, flexibility, and intelligence. Compared to traditional wired cabling, this technology not only significantly reduces system weight but also facilitates rapid deployment and flexible adjustment of measurement points. It is particularly suitable for enclosed, rotating, or structurally complex equipment environments, offering entirely new possibilities for real-time health monitoring of critical components. In practical systems, a star topology combined with time-division multiple access (TDMA) communication networking architecture is typically employed. The network coordinator node periodically interacts with each acquisition node through a high-precision clock synchronization mechanism, thereby ensuring the real-time performance and reliability of data transmission in harsh industrial environments.

[0003] However, deploying wireless sensor networks in real industrial environments faces multiple challenges. The dense metal structures, confined installation spaces, complex electromagnetic environments, and multipath reflections can significantly impact wireless communication quality, leading to signal attenuation, communication errors, data packet loss, and even transmission interruptions. If these transmission instabilities are not effectively suppressed, they will directly affect the continuity and data integrity of the monitoring system.

[0004] If unstable wireless network transmission prevents the real-time and complete acquisition of device status information, the system will lose its ability to predict and respond to faults in a timely manner. In high-value, high-safety environments such as high-end CNC machine tools, large generator sets, and aerospace equipment, monitoring failures can not only cause sudden shutdowns and production interruptions, but also lead to serious equipment damage or even safety accidents. Therefore, building a highly reliable and adaptable real-time industrial wireless monitoring system has become an indispensable technical aspect of ensuring the safe and stable operation of equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem solved by this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device to solve the problems of bit errors, packet loss and even communication interruption caused by the complex structure and equipment, narrow space, complex electromagnetic environment and multipath reflection in the launch vehicle cabin, so as to enable the wireless sensor network to have strong anti-interference capability in high-value and high-safety applications such as aerospace equipment.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is: a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device, comprising a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node and several wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes; the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node is configured with N antennas, N≥1; after the antennas are connected by radio frequency cables, they are respectively arranged in appropriate positions in the environment under test, so that the radio frequency signal transmission between the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and any one of the antennas in the wireless sensor coordinator node avoids non-line-of-sight link communication; the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and the wireless sensor nodes are networked using a star topology, and control operations such as sensor network device joining and leaving the network, sleep and wake-up, and parameter transmission and reception are completed according to a preset network transmission protocol timing.

[0007] The radio frequency circuit of the sensor network coordinator node includes a multi-channel broadband radio frequency switch, which can quickly respond to the opening and closing of the radio frequency channel according to control commands.

[0008] The network transmission protocol timing includes stages such as node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, time slot allocation, and data transmission. In each stage, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node sends or receives wireless sensor network data packets according to the preset network transmission protocol.

[0009] Under the control of the network coordinator node, the network transmission protocol timing is repeated N times through N antennas during the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, and time slot allocation processes. Each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the network sends or receives wireless sensor data packets according to the network transmission protocol within the transmission time slot.

[0010] After the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is awakened from sleep mode, it reports the wireless transmission signal quality status of the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the polling response of the preset transmission protocol. The network coordinator node records and updates the signal quality information of each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node during signal transmission in the polling of each antenna.

[0011] The wireless signal quality information includes the signal quality received by the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node from the coordinator node, and the signal quality received by the coordinator node from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node.

[0012] The network coordinator node compares the signal quality information during communication between different antennas and each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node to determine the antenna with the best signal quality, which is then used as the antenna for periodic data transmission with that wireless sensor parameter acquisition node.

[0013] During the periodic data transmission and clock synchronization process of the network transmission protocol timing, the signal quality information of each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is updated in real time. If the wireless signal quality of the currently used antenna and the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is lower than a set threshold or if there are continuous packet losses exceeding the set threshold, the coordinator node will replace the best antenna with the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the next transmission cycle based on the signal quality information to achieve stable and low packet loss data transmission in the wireless sensor network.

[0014] The plurality of wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes include wireless high-frequency sampling rate sensors, wireless low-frequency sampling rate sensors, and wireless slowly varying sampling rate sensors.

[0015] A method for transmitting data using the device includes: After the network coordinator node is powered on or receives a network operation command, it outputs a control signal to the RF switch in the RF circuit to select different RF channels. It then sends wake-up data to the dormant wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes N times in succession through N antennas. The awakened wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes turn on their wireless RF transceiver function and enter the acquisition node wake-up state. After sending the broadcast wake-up data, the network coordinator node again broadcasts fixed-duration clock synchronization data N times through N antennas. The wireless sensor parameter acquisition node aligns the clock count by receiving specific information bits in the data packet, thus completing the clock synchronization of the entire network. Each time, the network coordinator node selects one antenna and sends polling data to the address of each wireless sensor acquisition node at fixed time intervals. Then, it switches to the data receiving state and receives polling response data. The N antennas repeat the operation N times. After receiving the polling data for its own ID number, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node replies to the network coordinator node with a polling response. The response data contains information on the quality of the wireless transmission signal received from the antenna currently used by the network coordinator node. The network coordinator node receives the response data from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node, and at the same time calculates the signal quality received by the network coordinator node from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. This data, along with the signal quality received by the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node from the coordinator node in the response data, is stored in a dynamic statistics table of wireless transmission signal quality when different antennas are working for each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. Based on the received polling response data, the network coordinator node allocates sensitive data transmission time slots according to the preset transmission rules, and sends the time slot allocation information to each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node through N antennas. The N antennas perform the same operation N times. The wireless sensor parameter acquisition node receives data information sent by the network coordinator node multiple times, and selects the data information with the best received signal quality as the determination information. Based on the dynamic statistics table of wireless transmission signal quality when different antennas are working, the network coordinator node establishes N antenna usage priority levels for each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node and selects the antenna with the best signal quality for wireless data transmission and reception. After the time slot allocation is completed, all wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes collect sensitive parameters according to the preset protocol and complete the uplink transmission of sensitive data within the time slot interval allocated by the network coordinator node. In the data transmission state, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node sends sensitive data. The network coordinator node selects the antenna with the best signal quality to receive the sensitive data according to the antenna usage priority level corresponding to each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. When the received signal quality is lower than the set threshold or when there are continuous packet losses and the number exceeds the set threshold, the network coordinator node changes to the best antenna according to the signal quality information. At the same time, it dynamically updates the signal quality dynamic statistics table according to the signal quality information received from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. After each uplink sensitive data transmission cycle is completed, real-time network clock synchronization is performed. The network coordinator node continuously broadcasts fixed-duration clock synchronization data N times through N antennas. While the acquisition node receives the synchronization information and completes clock synchronization, it also counts the quality of the received signals from different antennas and sends it to the network coordinator node in the next data transmission state.

[0016] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are: (1) The present invention introduces a multi-antenna architecture in the coordinator of the wireless sensor network and distributes the antennas in different locations in the monitoring space. By evaluating the channel quality in real time, the optimal antenna is intelligently selected to establish a connection with each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node, thereby effectively improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0017] (2) By flexibly deploying the network coordinator antenna at appropriate locations in the measured space, this invention effectively overcomes environmental constraints such as metal structure obstruction, spatial constraints and non-line-of-sight transmission in complex industrial scenarios, reduces transmission path loss and multipath interference caused by obstruction, and significantly enhances the coverage and communication stability of wireless sensor networks under dense obstruction and multi-interference conditions.

[0018] (3) By optimizing the deployment of wireless sensor network coordinator node antennas at different locations in the measured space, this invention can effectively improve the transmission distance of wireless sensor networks in complex scenarios and space-constrained environments. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2This is a block diagram of the radio frequency circuit principle of a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram of a wireless sensor network transmission protocol. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This invention relates to a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device, comprising a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node and several wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes; the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node is configured with N antennas, N≥1; after the antennas are connected by radio frequency cables, they are respectively arranged in appropriate positions in the measured environment, so that radio frequency signal transmission between the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and any one of the antennas in the wireless sensor coordinator node avoids non-line-of-sight link communication; the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and the wireless sensor nodes are networked using a star topology, and control operations such as sensor network device joining and leaving the network, sleep and wake-up, and parameter transmission and reception are completed according to a preset network transmission protocol timing.

[0023] The radio frequency circuit of the sensor network coordinator node includes a multi-channel broadband radio frequency switch, which can quickly respond to the opening and closing of the radio frequency channel according to control commands.

[0024] The network transmission protocol timing includes stages such as node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, time slot allocation, and data transmission. In each stage, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node sends or receives wireless sensor network data packets according to the preset network transmission protocol.

[0025] Under the control of the network coordinator node, the network transmission protocol timing is repeated N times through N antennas during the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, and time slot allocation processes. Each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the network sends or receives wireless sensor data packets according to the network transmission protocol within the transmission time slot.

[0026] After the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is awakened from sleep mode, it reports the wireless transmission signal quality status of the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the polling response of the preset transmission protocol. The network coordinator node records and updates the signal quality information of each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node during signal transmission in the polling of each antenna.

[0027] The wireless signal quality information includes the signal quality received by the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node from the coordinator node, and the signal quality received by the coordinator node from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node.

[0028] The network coordinator node compares the signal quality information during communication between different antennas and each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node to determine the antenna with the best signal quality, which is then used as the antenna for periodic data transmission with that wireless sensor parameter acquisition node.

[0029] During the periodic data transmission and clock synchronization process of the network transmission protocol timing, the signal quality information of each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is updated in real time. If the wireless signal quality of the currently used antenna and the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is lower than a set threshold or if there are continuous packet losses exceeding the set threshold, the coordinator node will replace the best antenna with the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the next transmission cycle based on the signal quality information to achieve stable and low packet loss data transmission in the wireless sensor network.

[0030] The plurality of wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes include wireless high-frequency sampling rate sensors, wireless low-frequency sampling rate sensors, and wireless slowly varying sampling rate sensors.

[0031] The present invention will be further explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the wireless sensor network consists of a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node (hereinafter referred to as the coordinator node) and wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes (hereinafter referred to as acquisition nodes). The coordinator node adopts a star topology to complete the networking of acquisition nodes and is responsible for the control of the entire sensor network, including time slot allocation, clock synchronization, sleep / wake-up, and network entry / exit for parameter acquisition nodes. N antennas (N≥1) are connected to the coordinator node via RF cables and are deployed at different locations within the measured spatial environment, aiming to establish line-of-sight transmission between the acquisition nodes and one of the antennas of the coordinator node. The acquisition nodes are externally connected to or internally contain various types of environmental parameter measurement sensors or transducers.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the hardware RF circuit of the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator includes a multi-channel broadband RF switch, and the RF channel leads are connected to the antennas via RF cables. The number of RF switch output channels and the number of coordinator antennas are selected according to the actual deployment of the tested space environment. During operation, the RF switches respond quickly to the opening and closing operations of the RF channels under the control commands of the processor.

[0034] like Figure 3As shown, a timing diagram illustrating the transition of a wireless sensor network from sleep mode to data transmission mode is presented. Under the control of the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator, each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node selects the optimal antenna for data transmission in real time. The following section details the operation of a star topology real-time transmission network designed based on a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator, using examples of various working states including sleep, node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, time slot allocation, and data transmission.

[0035] This invention also relates to a network operation process based on a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator. Under the control of the multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator, the specific implementation steps of several wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes in the network from a dormant state to selecting the optimal antenna to complete data transmission are as follows: Step 1: When the network coordinator node is powered on or receives a network operation command, it outputs a control signal to the RF switch to select different RF channels. It then broadcasts wake-up data to the sleep-state acquisition nodes N times in succession through N antennas. The awakened acquisition nodes turn on their wireless RF transceiver function and enter the acquisition node wake-up state.

[0036] Step 2: After sending the broadcast wake-up data, the network coordinator node broadcasts fixed-duration clock synchronization data N times through N antennas. The acquisition nodes align the clock count by receiving specific information bits in the data packets to complete the clock synchronization of the entire network.

[0037] Step 3: The coordinator node selects one antenna at a time and sends polling data to each sensor node address at a certain time interval. Then it enters the data receiving state to receive polling response data. The N antennas repeat the operation N times. After receiving the polling data for its own ID number, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node replies to the network coordinator node with a polling response. The response data contains information on the quality of the wireless transmission signal under the antenna currently used by the coordinator node.

[0038] Step 4: The network coordinator node receives the response data from the acquisition node, and at the same time calculates the signal quality received by the coordinator node from the acquisition node. This data, along with the signal quality received by the acquisition node from the coordinator node in the response data, is stored in a dynamic statistics table of wireless transmission signal quality when different antennas are working, established for each acquisition node.

[0039] Step 5: Based on the received polling response data, the network coordinator node allocates sensitive data transmission time slots according to the preset transmission protocol and sends the time slot allocation information to each acquisition node through N antennas. The N antennas perform this operation N times. Each acquisition node receives data from the network coordinator node multiple times and selects the data with the best received signal quality as the determining factor.

[0040] Step 6: Based on the dynamic statistics table of wireless transmission signal quality when different antennas are working, the network coordinator node establishes a priority level for the use of N antennas for each wireless sensor acquisition node, and selects the antenna with the best signal quality for wireless data transmission and reception.

[0041] Step 7: After the time slot allocation is completed, all wireless sensor acquisition nodes collect sensitive parameters according to the preset protocol and complete the uplink transmission of sensitive data within the time slot interval allocated by the network coordinator node.

[0042] Step 8: Data transmission status acquisition nodes send sensitive data. The network coordinator node selects the antenna with the best signal quality to receive the sensitive data based on the antenna usage priority level corresponding to each acquisition node. When the received signal quality is lower than a set threshold or when continuous packet loss occurs and the number exceeds the set threshold, the network coordinator node replaces the best antenna based on the signal quality information; at the same time, it dynamically updates the signal quality dynamic statistics table based on the signal quality information received by the coordinator node from the acquisition nodes.

[0043] Step 9: After each uplink sensitive data transmission cycle is completed, real-time network clock synchronization is performed. The network coordinator node continuously broadcasts fixed-duration clock synchronization data N times through N antennas. While the acquisition node receives the synchronization information and completes clock synchronization, it also counts the received signal quality from different antennas and sends it to the network coordinator node in the next data transmission state.

[0044] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

[0045] The contents not described in detail in this specification are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device, characterized in that: The system includes a multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node and several wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes. The multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator node is configured with multiple antennas. After the antennas are connected by radio frequency cables, they are respectively arranged in appropriate locations in the measured environment, so that the radio frequency signal transmission between the wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and any one of the antennas in the wireless sensor coordinator node avoids non-line-of-sight link communication. The wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes and the wireless sensor nodes are networked in a star topology, and the control operations of sensor network devices joining and leaving the network, sleeping and waking up, and sending and receiving parameters are completed according to the preset network transmission protocol timing.

2. The multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radio frequency circuit of the sensor network coordinator node includes a multi-channel broadband radio frequency switch, which can quickly respond to the opening and closing of the radio frequency channel according to control commands.

3. The multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The network transmission protocol timing includes stages such as node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, time slot allocation, and data transmission. In each stage, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node sends or receives wireless sensor network data packets according to the preset network transmission protocol.

4. The multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Under the control of the network coordinator node, the network transmission protocol timing is repeated N times through N antennas in the stages of wireless sensor parameter acquisition node wake-up, clock synchronization, polling, and time slot allocation, where N≥1; each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the network sends or receives wireless sensor transmission data packets according to the network transmission protocol within the transmission time slot.

5. The multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 4, characterized in that: After the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is awakened from sleep mode, it reports the wireless transmission signal quality status of the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the polling response of the preset transmission protocol. The network coordinator node records and updates the signal quality information of each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node during signal transmission in the polling of each antenna.

6. The multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The wireless signal quality information includes the signal quality received by the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node from the coordinator node, and the signal quality received by the coordinator node from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node.

7. A multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The network coordinator node compares the signal quality information during communication between different antennas and each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node to determine the antenna with the best signal quality, which is then used as the antenna for periodic data transmission with that wireless sensor parameter acquisition node.

8. A multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to claim 5, characterized in that: During the periodic data transmission and clock synchronization process of the network transmission protocol timing, the signal quality information of each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is updated in real time. If the wireless signal quality of the currently used antenna and the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node is lower than a set threshold or if there are continuous packet losses exceeding the set threshold, the coordinator node will replace the best antenna with the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node in the next transmission cycle based on the signal quality information to achieve stable and low packet loss data transmission in the wireless sensor network.

9. A multi-antenna wireless sensor network coordinator device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The plurality of wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes include wireless high-frequency sampling rate sensors, wireless low-frequency sampling rate sensors, and wireless slowly varying sampling rate sensors.

10. A method for data transmission using the device of claim 1, characterized in that, include: After the network coordinator node is powered on or receives a network operation command, it outputs a control signal to the RF switch in the RF circuit to select different RF channels. It then sends wake-up data to the dormant wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes N times in succession through N antennas. The awakened wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes turn on their wireless RF transceiver function and enter the acquisition node wake-up state. After sending the broadcast wake-up data, the network coordinator node again broadcasts fixed-duration clock synchronization data N times through N antennas. The wireless sensor parameter acquisition node aligns the clock count by receiving specific information bits in the data packet, thus completing the clock synchronization of the entire network. The network coordinator node selects one antenna at a time and sends polling data to the address of each wireless sensor node at fixed time intervals. Then it switches to the data receiving state and receives polling response data. The N antennas repeat the operation N times. After receiving the polling data for this ID number, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node replies to the network coordinator node with a polling response. The response data contains information on the quality of the wireless transmission signal under the antenna currently used by the network coordinator node. The network coordinator node receives the response data from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node, and at the same time calculates the signal quality received by the network coordinator node from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. This data, along with the signal quality received by the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node from the coordinator node in the response data, is stored in a dynamic statistics table of wireless transmission signal quality when different antennas are working for each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. Based on the received polling response data, the network coordinator node allocates sensitive data transmission time slots according to the preset transmission rules, and sends the time slot allocation information to each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node through N antennas. The N antennas perform the same operation N times. The wireless sensor parameter acquisition node receives data from the network coordinator node multiple times and selects the data with the best received signal quality as the determining information. Based on the dynamic statistics table of wireless transmission signal quality when different antennas are working, the network coordinator node establishes N antenna usage priority levels for each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node and selects the antenna with the best signal quality for wireless data transmission and reception. After the time slot allocation is completed, all wireless sensor parameter acquisition nodes collect sensitive parameters according to the preset protocol and complete the uplink transmission of sensitive data within the time slot interval allocated by the network coordinator node. In the data transmission state, the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node sends sensitive data. The network coordinator node selects the antenna with the best signal quality to receive the sensitive data according to the antenna usage priority level corresponding to each wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. When the received signal quality is lower than the set threshold or when there are continuous packet losses and the number exceeds the set threshold, the network coordinator node changes to the best antenna according to the signal quality information. At the same time, it dynamically updates the signal quality dynamic statistics table according to the signal quality information received from the wireless sensor parameter acquisition node. After each uplink sensitive data transmission cycle is completed, real-time network clock synchronization is performed; The network coordinator node continuously broadcasts fixed-duration clock synchronization data N times through N antennas. While the acquisition node receives the synchronization information and completes clock synchronization, it also counts the quality of the received signals from different antennas and sends the data to the network coordinator node in the next data transmission state.

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