Adaptive Sensor Node Obstacle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless sensor networks in road environments face communication errors due to vehicles, leading to increased data retransmissions and reduced reliability, as current methods do not account for obstacles like vehicles in real-time data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A sensor node with a sensor, obstacle determiner, and controller that detects obstacles using magnetic and pressure sensors, adjusts transmission power based on received signal strength, and selects an optimal 'wakeup zone' to minimize communication errors by adapting the communication method and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor nodes use fixed communication protocols (SMAC, IEEE 802.15.4, PEDAMACS) without obstacle detection, then power consumption is reduced through periodic sleep modes, but communication errors increase when vehicles obstruct the transmission path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor node dynamically adjusts its communication behavior based on real-time obstacle detection. When a vehicle is detected, the node transitions from sleep mode to active transmission mode, adapting its communication protocol and power consumption levels to maintain reliable data transmission despite the obstructed path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through obstacle detection sensors that continuously monitor the transmission path. This feedback information is used to adjust communication parameters and power consumption in real-time, ensuring reliable transmission when obstacles are present while maintaining energy efficiency when the path is clear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensor nodes transmit data continuously without obstacle detection, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor node employs periodic obstacle detection and transmission attempts rather than continuous transmission. The node checks for obstacles at regular intervals and only activates transmission when necessary, reducing energy loss while maintaining communication reliability through timely detection and response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor node autonomously determines when transmission is needed based on its own obstacle detection capabilities. By serving its own communication needs through self-monitoring and self-adjustment, the node avoids unnecessary power consumption while ensuring reliable data transmission when obstacles are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If sensor nodes use low-performance batteries and processors to reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but communication error handling and adaptive response capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcommunication error handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary obstacle detection mechanism that bridges the gap between simple sensor nodes and reliable communication. The detection system acts as a mediator that triggers appropriate communication responses, enabling low-performance nodes to achieve reliable error handling through external environmental monitoring rather than complex internal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The adaptive communication method reduces communication errors and increases reliability by dynamically adjusting transmission parameters and power consumption, ensuring safe and efficient data transmission in road environments.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for outputting sensing information generated by sensing an obstacle interrupting communication of the sensor node

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

acquiring sensing information generated by sensing the existence state of an obstacle interrupting communication of the sensor node

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8289190B2Adaptive communication method and sensor node for performing the method

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

Provided are an adaptive communication method and a sensor node for performing the same. The sensor node adaptively selects transmitted signal output strength and a wakeup zone of transmitted data based on a received signal strength indication of a control packet received from a sink node and existence of an obstacle acquired through a sensor, and transmits data based on the adaptive selection. Also, during an operation as a receive mode, the sensor node wakes up and determines whether to receive the data from the transmit node based on wakeup zone configuration information per sensor node received from the sink node and a wakeup zone selected by a sensor node currently operable as a transmit node.