BLE Radio Task Segmentation for Low-Power Data Rate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard Bluetooth radios are not suitable for low-powered field devices in process control systems due to power budget constraints, limiting their ability to provide efficient communication pathways.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) bridge apparatus that manages a power profile by determining whether to divide computation tasks based on energy stored in the power supply and charging rate, allowing the BLE radio to enter sleep mode and transition to an operating mode as needed, thereby optimizing energy use and communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard Bluetooth radio is used in low-powered field devices, then communication capability is provided, but power consumption exceeds the device's power budget

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the computation task into multiple parts, allowing the BLE radio to execute only the necessary portion and enter sleep mode for the remainder, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The BLE radio alternates between active computation periods and sleep periods, creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces average power consumption while still providing communication capability when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the BLE radio remains in operating mode continuously, then computation tasks are executed promptly, but energy is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask execution speedVSAvoidenergy depletion rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the BLE radio's operational state based on task requirements and power supply conditions, transitioning between active and sleep modes to optimize the balance between productivity and energy conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the BLE radio by dividing computation tasks and controlling the radio's active duration, thereby adjusting the energy consumption rate to match available power supply conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If computation tasks are divided and the BLE radio enters sleep mode, then energy is conserved, but task execution time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conservationVSAvoidtask execution time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial computation actions by dividing tasks and executing only the necessary portions during active periods, avoiding excessive energy consumption while managing task completion within power constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11115927B2Methods and apparatus to control communication data rates of low-energy devices

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 FISHER CONTROLS INT LLC

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to control communication data rates of low-energy devices. An example apparatus includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio, and a power manager to determine whether to divide a first computation task into at least a second and a third computation task based on (1) energy stored in a power supply associated with the BLE radio and (2) a charging rate of the power supply, and when the first computation task is to be executed by the BLE radio and the first computation task is divided based on the determination, instruct the BLE radio to enter a sleep mode after the second computation task is executed, and invoke the BLE radio to transition from the sleep mode to an operating mode to execute the third computation task, the invoking in response to a measurement associated with the power supply satisfying an energy threshold.