Battery Mesh Network Monitoring for Failure-Tolerant Data Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery monitoring systems struggle with unreliable communication between a hub and multiple battery systems, particularly in wireless setups, leading to loss of information when a battery system fails and inability to distinguish between communication loss and actual failure.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless mesh network with redundant communication among battery systems, using communication devices with backup power sources to ensure continuous data transmission and storage of battery information, allowing data retrieval even after system failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hub-based wireless communication system is used to monitor multiple battery systems, then the system can collect data from multiple sources, but communication reliability deteriorates when a battery system fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication network into multiple mesh-connected nodes (battery systems) rather than relying on a single hub. Each battery system becomes an independent node that can communicate directly with neighboring nodes, distributing the communication load and eliminating the single point of failure inherent in hub-based architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining backup communication paths and storing battery information locally at each node before failure occurs. When a node fails, the mesh network automatically reroutes data through alternative paths, and locally stored information ensures data integrity is preserved without requiring real-time hub communication.
2Reliability
If redundant communication paths are implemented in a wireless mesh network, then data integrity is maintained during failures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network implements self-service through automatic routing protocols where each node independently determines optimal data paths without centralized control. When a node fails, the network autonomously recalculates routes and redistributes data flow, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration or centralized management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery system node is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data source and a communication relay for neighboring nodes. This universal role distribution simplifies the overall network architecture by eliminating dedicated router devices and reducing the number of specialized components needed in the system.
3Loss of information
If battery information is transmitted continuously across the wireless network, then real-time monitoring is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous transmission to periodic data updates, where battery information is transmitted at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This reduces wireless communication energy consumption while maintaining sufficient information availability for monitoring purposes, as the periodic updates capture essential changes in battery status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates local copies of battery information at multiple mesh nodes instead of requiring continuous real-time transmission. Each node stores redundant copies of battery data, allowing any node to provide information if needed, thereby reducing the frequency and energy of wireless transmissions while maintaining information accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a device and methods to operating the same are described that can reliably monitor a plurality of battery systems including a wireless mesh network. The plurality of battery systems are respectively coupled to a plurality of communication devices each configured to receive battery information regarding the battery system coupled thereto. Each communication device may include a communication interface and configured to communicate with other communication devices on a wireless mesh network. Battery information regarding a battery system may be transmitted through the wireless mesh network to reach a gateway. Battery information may further be transmitted from the gateway to a user device, the Internet, or another network for monitoring the battery systems in a communication protocol different from the wireless mesh network. A gateway may be a dedicated gateway device or any of the communication devices on the wireless network.