Battery Field Device Time Scheduling for Low-Power Radio Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated field devices, such as filling level and pressure sensors, face challenges in energy efficiency due to continuous operation requirements, leading to high energy consumption and frequent maintenance needs, especially when measurements or displays are infrequent.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system architecture with a time management unit connected to an energy store and a radio unit that can be switched on only when necessary, allowing parts of the device to be powered down during non-measurement or non-display periods, using absolute or relative time information for scheduling measurements and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the field device operates continuously to ensure readiness for measurements and displays, then the reliability and responsiveness of the device is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by switching the radio unit and measurement/display components on and off at scheduled intervals based on time information. The time management unit controls the switch to activate components only during scheduled measurement or display periods, rather than maintaining continuous operation. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring device readiness only when needed while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the entire field device is switched off during non-measurement periods to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device cannot perform scheduled measurements or transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the field device into distinct functional components: a time management unit that remains continuously powered, and measurement/display/radio components that are switched on and off. The time management unit maintains time information and controls the switching of other components, enabling scheduled operations without requiring the entire device to remain powered. This resolves the contradiction by preserving measurement capability through selective component activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing time information about when measurements should occur or when displays should be updated. The time management unit uses this advance time information to proactively switch components on before scheduled operations are needed, ensuring readiness without continuous operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling scheduled productivity while minimizing energy consumption through advance planning.
3Speed
If the radio unit remains continuously connected to the energy store for immediate communication, then the communication responsiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action to the radio unit by controlling it through a switch that activates it only during scheduled communication periods determined by time information. The time management unit coordinates radio unit activation with measurement and display schedules, ensuring the radio unit is responsive when needed but powered off during idle periods. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication responsiveness at scheduled intervals while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to battery-operated field devices and a method for operating battery-operated field devices, in particular field devices for level measurement, limit level determination, detection of the topology of a material surface, or display of the measured values of these devices. A battery-operated field device (100), in particular a level, flow, or pressure sensor device or display device, comprises an energy storage device (200), a time management unit (301) connected to the energy storage device (200) via a first line (205), and a radio unit (350) connected to the energy storage device (200) via a switch (250). The radio unit (350) is configured to transmit time information about the next measurement to the time management unit (301) via a first interface (355) and/or to receive such information from the radio unit (350) when the switch (250) is turned on.