Adaptive Sensor Node Dynamic Firmware Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor node firmware is static and specific to the sensors it supports, making it difficult to reconfigure or change sensors without revising the firmware, which limits sensor node adaptability.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive self-configuring sensor node system that includes a memory circuit for storing configuration data and loadable sensor device data acquisition and processing routines, allowing the processor to detect and configure connected sensors using a sensor control field, enabling dynamic reconfiguration and data acquisition without requiring firmware revisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If static firmware is used for sensor node, then firmware stability is improved, but sensor reconfigurability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor configuration by allowing the sensor node to load and execute different sensor driver routines from memory based on which sensors are detected as connected. The system transitions from static firmware to a dynamic architecture where the processor can adaptively load appropriate configuration routines and data acquisition routines matching the connected sensors, thereby achieving both stability through standardized interfaces and reconfigurability through dynamic loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal sensor node platform that can support multiple sensor types through a common architecture. By implementing a standardized interface layer and using a database of sensor parameters that can be selectively loaded, the system achieves multi-functionality where a single sensor node design can work with various sensor configurations without requiring hardware changes or complete firmware rewrites.
2Reliability
If sensor-specific firmware is used, then sensor performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware into modular components: a core operating system, sensor driver routines, data acquisition routines, and parameter databases. Each sensor type has its specific parameters and routines stored separately in memory. This segmentation allows the system to load only the necessary sensor-specific components when a particular sensor is detected, maintaining optimal sensor performance while avoiding the complexity of having all sensor-specific code permanently embedded in the firmware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of a sensor detection mechanism and a configuration loading system. This intermediary detects which sensors are connected, retrieves the appropriate sensor parameters from a database, and loads the matching driver and data acquisition routines into memory. This mediator abstracts the complexity from the main firmware, allowing standardized high-level code to interact with diverse sensors through appropriate intermediate routines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If firmware revision is performed for sensor changes, then sensor compatibility is improved, but development time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining sensor parameters, driver routines, and data acquisition routines for multiple sensor types and storing them in a database within the sensor node. When a sensor is connected, the system quickly identifies the sensor type and loads the pre-prepared configuration data and routines from memory. This eliminates the need for time-consuming firmware revision and compilation processes, as all sensor support code is prepared in advance and can be dynamically loaded.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive self-configuring sensor node is disclosed herein. The node is associated with one or more sensor, and can include a microcontroller unit (MCU), sensors and a wired/wireless communication module (e.g., transceiver) to communicate the data collected by the sensors. Sensor node software running on the CPU can be adaptively reconfigured based on the sensors connected with the node, and using configuration data that is read from a non-volatile memory (NVM). The NVM can further store loadable sensor device specific data acquisition and processing (DAP) routines corresponding to one or more of the sensors, which can be executed to configure a sensor or cause collection or processing of sensor data.