Battery Level Gauge Wireless Communication Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless level gauge systems face challenges in achieving low average energy consumption and cost-efficiency, particularly for battery-powered devices that require frequent maintenance due to complex measurement tasks and costly wiring installations.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered level gauge system with a wireless communication unit and measurement unit that operate separately, where the communication unit schedules the measurement unit to briefly wake up for filling level measurements, allowing for low power consumption and efficient data retrieval, and then returns to sleep, optimizing energy usage and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the measurement unit and wireless communication unit operate independently with separate memory, then measurement accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the measurement unit and wireless communication unit into a single integrated device with a shared memory structure. The measurement unit (radar level gauge) and wireless communication unit (WirelessHART transceiver) coexist in one housing, communicating through shared memory resources rather than separate independent systems. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement reliability through proper memory arbitration.
Solution Approach 2:
The common memory structure serves multiple functions: it stores measurement data from the measurement unit, holds communication protocols for the wireless unit, and enables data exchange between both units. This multi-functional memory architecture eliminates the need for separate memory systems, reducing complexity while supporting both measurement and communication operations reliably.
2Measurement precision
If the measurement unit performs complex radar measurements continuously, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement unit performs radar measurements periodically rather than continuously, synchronized with WirelessHART communication cycles. The radar level gauge transmits electromagnetic pulses at specific intervals, and the measurement unit enters low-power states between measurements. This periodic operation maintains measurement precision for battery-powered applications by reducing overall energy consumption while capturing filling level data at sufficient intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring capability through coordinated operation of measurement and communication units. While individual measurements are periodic, the system ensures continuous useful action by scheduling measurements to occur at optimal intervals, with the wireless communication unit immediately transmitting results when available, ensuring the host system always has current filling level data without requiring constant measurement activity.
3Loss of information
If the wireless communication unit transmits data frequently, then data freshness is improved, but energy consumption and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the wireless communication unit monitors measurement data availability and transmits only when new filling level measurements are ready. The host system receives acknowledgments and requests data selectively, allowing the level gauge to enter sleep modes between transmission cycles. This feedback-driven communication maintains data freshness by ensuring the host always has the latest measurements while minimizing unnecessary transmissions that would consume battery power.
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
This approach results in a more energy-efficient operation with longer battery life, enabling quick filling level measurements and reduced total energy consumption by minimizing simultaneous activity of the communication and measurement units, while providing fresh measurement values to remote devices.
Implementation Method 1
determines the filling level based on the time-of-flight of the electromagnetic transmit signal from the radar level gauge to the surface and back
Implementation Method 2
receives an electromagnetic reflected signal being a reflection of the transmit signal at the surface of the product
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method comprising providing an activation signal from a wireless communication unit to a measurement unit to switch the measurement unit from its inactive state to its active state; providing a measurement request signal to the measurement unit to request measurement of a filling level of a product in a tank; and thereafter switching the wireless communication unit from its active state to its inactive state. The measurement unit measures the filling level and provides a measurement ready signal to the wireless communication unit; the wireless communication unit is switched from its inactive state to its active state in response to the measurement ready signal received from the measurement unit; the wireless communication unit retrieves the value indicative of the filling level from the measurement unit; and wirelessly transmits the value indicative of the filling level to the remote device.