Cellular Network Overlay for Streetlight Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for controlling streetlights face scalability issues when managing a large number of lights, rely on multiple RF technologies with limited cost reductions, require significant deployment effort due to varied air interface standards, and are constrained by cellular network scalability, particularly with point-to-point SMS messages not capable of supporting hundreds of thousands of streetlights.

Innovation Solution

The Optimized Streetlight Operation (OSLO) system employs a cellular network overlay with RF control modules on each streetlight pole, utilizing Short Message Service-Broadcast (SMS-B) messaging to broadcast control commands, allowing for staggered confirmation messages to reduce peak load on the cellular network, enabling efficient control and maintenance operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If point-to-point SMS messages are used to control streetlights, then individual control capability is achieved, but scalability is limited and cannot support hundreds of thousands of streetlights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidnumber of streetlights

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual control messages into a single broadcast message that can control thousands of streetlights simultaneously. The SOC sends one broadcast command to the cellular network that reaches all RF control modules in the coverage area, eliminating the need for thousands of separate point-to-point messages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a broadcast message intermediary mechanism where the cellular network acts as the mediator between the SOC and numerous RF control modules. The broadcast message serves as an intermediary carrier that efficiently transmits control information to multiple recipients simultaneously, resolving the scalability limitation of direct point-to-point communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If all RF control modules transmit confirmation messages simultaneously, then complete acknowledgment is achieved, but peak network load increases causing congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand acknowledgmentVSAvoidnetwork load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having RF control modules transmit confirmation messages at staggered intervals rather than simultaneously. Each module waits for a random delay period before sending its confirmation, spreading the transmission load over time while ensuring all acknowledgments are eventually received.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the confirmation transmission timing flexible and adaptive rather than fixed. RF control modules use random delay algorithms to dynamically determine when to send confirmations, allowing the system to adapt transmission patterns to network conditions and avoid deterministic peak loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple RF technologies and air interface standards are supported, then compatibility is improved, but deployment complexity and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetechnology compatibilityVSAvoiddeployment effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by designing the RF control modules to work with standard cellular networks that already support broadcast messaging. Rather than requiring specialized hardware for each air interface standard, the system leverages the existing multi-functional capability of cellular networks to communicate with diverse streetlight installations across different locations and operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the cellular network's inherent broadcast capability without requiring complex custom infrastructure. The existing cellular infrastructure automatically handles the broadcast messaging function, eliminating the need for specialized deployment efforts for each air interface standard and allowing the system to leverage already-deployed network resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8983526B2Optimized streetlight operation (OSLO) using a cellular network overlay

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

An Optimized Streetlight Operation (OSLO) system that utilizes a cellular network overlay to broadcast control commands issued by a centralized Streetlight Operation Center (SOC) to RF control modules mounted on each streetlight pole. The cellular network may be a CDMA network utilizing Short Message Service-Broadcast (SMS-B) messaging. When a Mobile Telephone Exchange/Mobile Switching Center (MTX/MSC) receives a SOC control command from the SOC, the MTX/MSC causes a plurality of BSs to broadcast the SOC command in the network operating area a defined number of times. Each RF control module that successfully receives the broadcast SOC control command, performs actions to control operation of the module's associated streetlight, and transmits a confirmation message to the module's serving BS indicating the SOC command was received. The modules are configured to stagger transmission of the confirmation messages over a period of time to reduce a peak load imposed on the cellular network.