Distributed Asset Management Protocol for Wireless Tag Power and Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asset tracking systems face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and network traffic for logistics networks with a large number of tag devices, particularly in environments where rapid response times and low latency are required, such as weigh stations and entrance gates, while also needing to balance power management and security across multiple radio channels.
Innovation Solution
The Distributed Asset Management Communication (DAMC) protocol is implemented using IEEE 802.15.4 compliant radios, which enables adaptive network management through specific communication frame payloads that optimize power usage, reduce unnecessary transmissions, and balance network traffic by defining beacon and broadcast periods, allowing tag devices to operate with low latency and maintain a low receiver duty cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If continuous transmission of communication frames is used to ensure rapid response times and low latency, then response speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of communication frames at defined intervals during active periods, followed by cessation of transmission during inactive periods. This periodic action allows the system to maintain readiness for rapid response while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission.
2Quantity of substance
If a large number of tag devices are monitored to improve network coverage, then network capacity increases, but network traffic management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network traffic into structured communication frames with defined intervals and payload specifications. This segmentation allows a single reader device to efficiently manage tens of thousands of tag devices by organizing traffic into manageable, standardized units rather than handling raw data streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of communication by defining specific frame structures, transmission intervals, and payload formats. These parameter changes enable scalable network management where the same standardized protocol can handle both small and large numbers of tag devices efficiently.
3Reliability
If frequent transmissions are used to maintain network connectivity, then connection reliability is improved, but unnecessary transmissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic transmission during defined active periods to maintain network connectivity reliably, then ceases transmission during inactive periods to eliminate unnecessary energy consumption. This approach maintains connection reliability while avoiding continuous unnecessary transmissions.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A sending device generates a MAC frame to be transmitted over a wireless network. The MAC frame indicates a frame transmission type. A payload portion of the MAC frame is defined in accordance with a payload specification of a distributed asset management protocol corresponding to the indicated frame transmission type. The MAC frame is transmitted over the wireless network and received by a receiving device that is defined to recognize the MAC frame as the indicated frame transmission type. The receiving device is defined to process the payload portion of the MAC frame in accordance with the payload specification of the distributed asset management protocol corresponding to the indicated frame transmission type. Network discovery includes successively transmitting the MAC frame at a defined interval during a first period of time. Then, the MAC frame transmission is ceased for a second period of time. Then, transmission of the MAC frame resumes.