Context-Aware Sensor Power Management in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless sensor networks face challenges in minimizing power consumption, especially in ubiquitous computing environments where extending the network requires efficient management of sensor node power usage, as conventional methods lack adaptive strategies for optimizing sensor operation based on context information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that adaptively determine sensor operation modes by inferring context information from user location, behavior patterns, and other factors, sorting sensors into interest and no-interest groups, and adjusting sensing periods and data transmission periods accordingly to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors operate continuously to ensure network functionality, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor operation modes that adapt to context information. Sensors switch between active sensing, periodic sensing, and sleep modes based on inferred context, allowing the system to maintain reliability when needed while conserving energy during low-activity periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (sensing period, transmission frequency, operation mode) based on context information. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and power consumption according to actual network needs
2Speed
If sensors transmit data frequently to maintain network responsiveness, then network responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sensing and transmission based on context information. Instead of continuous operation, sensors perform sensing and transmission at optimized intervals determined by context, reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary network responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from context information to dynamically adjust transmission frequency. Context inference results feed back into operation mode determination, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes transmission timing based on actual network conditions and user needs
3Reliability
If all sensors operate at full capacity to ensure complete monitoring coverage, then monitoring coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating sensor operation modes based on their specific context and network role. Different sensors operate at different levels (full capacity, reduced capacity, or sleep mode) according to their local context information, ensuring adequate coverage where needed while conserving energy elsewhere
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments sensors into different operation groups based on context information. Sensors are divided into those requiring full monitoring, those needing periodic monitoring, and those that can be in sleep mode, allowing differentiated power management while maintaining overall network coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for saving sensor power consumption based on context information on a wireless sensor network are provided. Basic context information is received from inside and outside of a network system including at least one sensor, wherein context information based on the basic context information is determined by inference, a group of expected services corresponding to the context information is determined, a sensor operation mode according to the group of expected services is determined, and control data is transmitted to the sensor according to the sensor operation mode. Accordingly, a sensor operation mode is adaptively determined according to changes of context information so that power consumption of a sensor can be saved.