Distributed Processing for Energy Harvesting Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy harvesting systems for communications apparatuses face challenges in maintaining continuous operation due to power exhaustion, making it difficult to distribute processes effectively among multiple nodes.
Innovation Solution
A distributed processing method where a communications apparatus executes a process based on results from another apparatus, using power stored in a charging device, and transmits the results after a predetermined period has elapsed, allowing for efficient data transmission and processing even when nodes operate intermittently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If communications apparatuses use power generated from energy harvesting to operate, then energy autonomy is improved, but continuous operation deteriorates due to power exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by having communications apparatuses alternately execute processing tasks and sleep modes. The control apparatus distributes processing tasks periodically to available apparatuses, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation through periodic contributions from individual nodes that harvest energy intermittently. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the limitation of intermittent energy availability into a structured periodic operation pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on energy availability. When a communications apparatus has sufficient charged energy, it executes processing tasks; when energy is depleted, it enters sleep mode and another apparatus takes over. The control apparatus monitors energy status and adjusts task distribution parameters accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to varying energy conditions and maintain continuous operation despite individual apparatus power exhaustion.
2Productivity
If distributed processing is implemented among multiple communications apparatuses, then processing capability is improved, but system complexity deteriorates due to coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus serves as an intermediary that manages the distributed processing system. It receives processing requests, determines which communications apparatuses are available based on their energy status, distributes tasks appropriately, and coordinates results collection. This intermediary approach simplifies the system by centralizing coordination logic, avoiding the need for complex peer-to-peer negotiation protocols among distributed apparatuses, thus maintaining processing capability while reducing coordination overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
Communications apparatuses monitor their own energy status and autonomously determine when they are available for processing tasks. Each apparatus independently manages its own power state, executing tasks when energized and entering sleep mode when depleted, without requiring continuous polling or complex inter-node communication. This self-service approach reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for centralized monitoring of each node's energy state while maintaining effective distributed processing.
3Productivity
If communications apparatuses execute processing tasks continuously, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption deteriorates leading to power exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic processing where communications apparatuses alternate between active processing periods and sleep periods. The control apparatus distributes processing tasks in periodic batches to available apparatuses, ensuring that no single apparatus operates continuously. This periodic operation pattern maintains overall system productivity by utilizing multiple apparatuses sequentially while allowing individual nodes to conserve energy during sleep periods, preventing power exhaustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus assigns processing tasks selectively based on current energy availability rather than continuously to all apparatuses. When some apparatuses are depleted, the system accepts that not all available processing capacity is utilized at every moment, but this partial action approach prevents energy exhaustion and extends overall system operational duration. The control apparatus optimizes task distribution to match available energy resources, accepting suboptimal utilization in exchange for sustained long-term productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient distributed processing by allowing nodes to operate intermittently without repeated power consumption inquiries, facilitating the assignment and execution of new processing tasks using previously computed results.
Implementation Method 1
operates using power stored in a charging device charged by power generated from energy obtained corresponding to an environment where the first communications apparatus is installed
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed processing method of a system in which communications apparatuses communicate data by multi-hop communication is executed by a given communications apparatus among the communications apparatuses. According to the method, the given communications apparatus executes a given process based on a result of a first process executed by a first communications apparatus that among the communications apparatuses, communicates directly with the given communications apparatus and operates using power stored in a charging device charged by power generated from energy obtained corresponding to an environment where installed. The given communications apparatus executes the given process when receiving the result of the first process from the first communications apparatus. The given communications apparatus further determines whether a given period has elapsed since receiving the result of the first process, and transmits a result of the given process to the first communications apparatus when determining that the given period has elapsed.