Autonomous Wireless Networks for Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional asset tracking systems fail to provide end-to-end tracking across complex supply and distribution chains, requiring excessive human intervention, being costly, and prone to misplacement, loss, or theft due to their inability to span both static and mobile environments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method employing geographically overlapping autonomous static and mobile wireless networks, where masters establish static networks, mobile units join and create mobile networks out of range, and sensors associated with assets join and disengage from these networks as they move, using locators to provide location data without the need for GPS, reducing infrastructure and power costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional tracking systems are deployed, then tracking capability is provided, but they require excessive human intervention and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous static networks to self-organize and self-manage without human intervention. Masters automatically establish networks, mobile units autonomously join and create networks, and sensors automatically connect to appropriate networks based on their location, eliminating the need for manual configuration and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The network topology dynamically adapts as mobile units move between static network coverage areas. The system automatically transitions from static network operation to mobile network operation and back, with seamless handover and automatic reconfiguration, requiring no human intervention to manage the dynamic changes
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated tracking systems are implemented, then tracking precision is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking infrastructure into distributed autonomous static networks rather than using a centralized sophisticated system. Each static network uses simple masters and locators that independently provide location data, achieving accurate tracking through multiple simple nodes rather than one complex system
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile units serve multiple functions: they join existing static networks when in range, create autonomous mobile networks when out of range, and seamlessly transition between modes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized systems for different tracking scenarios, reducing overall system cost while maintaining precision
3Reliability
If continuous tracking is achieved, then tracking reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors periodically broadcast their presence and automatically join networks when in range, rather than maintaining continuous active connection. This periodic broadcasting approach ensures continuous tracking coverage while allowing sensors to enter low-power states between broadcasts, significantly reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor operation based on network availability. Sensors automatically activate when entering network coverage areas and deactivate when out of range, with mobile networks providing continuous tracking capability. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable tracking while minimizing power consumption by only activating sensors when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A supply and distribution chain and various systems, methods and elements associated with autonomous static and mobile wireless networks for asset tracking. In one embodiment, the chain includes: (1) masters associated with static sites and configured to establish autonomous static networks for the static sites, (2) mobile units associated with carriers and configured to join the autonomous static networks when in range thereof and create autonomous mobile networks when out of range of the autonomous static networks and (3) sensors associated with assets and configured to join the autonomous static networks when in range thereof and join the autonomous mobile networks when out of range of the autonomous static networks.