Dual Wireless Communication Device for Energy-Efficient IoT Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices are limited in functionality and bulky, with a high energy consumption that affects their autonomy and size, and they often fail to communicate data effectively between different networks.
Innovation Solution
A communication device combining two wireless communication systems with distinct protocols and frequencies, allowing for selective or simultaneous network communication, energy-efficient operation, and enhanced functionalities while maintaining a compact size, using a control unit that can switch between systems and detect anomalies for alert transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single wireless communication system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the communication functionality is limited and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two distinct wireless communication systems (first and second communication systems with different protocols and frequencies) into a single device, enabling the device to communicate with multiple different communication networks simultaneously. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple communication functionalities while maintaining a unified device structure, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device is designed with multi-functionality to operate on both first and second communication networks with different protocols and frequencies. The device can selectively activate appropriate communication systems based on network availability, making it universally applicable across different communication environments and enhancing functionality while managing complexity through intelligent system selection.
2Reliability
If high transmission power is used, then communication distance and reliability are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically selects between first and second communication systems based on operational conditions, network availability, and energy status. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to use high-power first communication system when reliability is critical and switch to low-power second communication system when energy conservation is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption through flexible, condition-based system selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes operational parameters by switching between different communication systems with distinct power characteristics. The first communication system operates at high power for reliable long-distance communication, while the second system operates at low power for energy-efficient communication. This parameter change approach allows the device to adjust its energy consumption profile based on communication requirements, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.
3Reliability
If dual communication systems are implemented, then communication reliability and functionality are improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both first and second communication systems within a single housing or compact set of housings, nesting multiple communication functionalities within a unified physical structure. This nesting approach allows dual communication systems to coexist in a space-efficient manner, improving reliability through system diversity while constraining the overall device volume through integrated design.
4Duration of action of moving object
If large battery capacity is used, then device autonomy is improved, but device volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs periodic communication strategies, utilizing the low-power second communication system for routine operations and reserving the high-power first communication system for critical or infrequent transmissions. This periodic action pattern reduces average energy consumption, extending device autonomy without requiring proportionally larger battery capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between autonomy and volume.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication device (1) comprising autonomous electrical energy storage means (9), a first wireless communication system (2) configured to communicate with a first communication network (5) of the mobile phone or WiMAX type, and a second wireless communication system (3) configured to communicate with a second communication network (6), different from a mobile phone or WiMAX type network, for example, an LPWAN type network. The communication range of each of the first and second communication systems is at least 1 km. The transmission power of the second communication system is, for a given communication distance, lower than that of the first wireless communication system (2).A control unit (4) allows to transmit and/or receive digital data by the first communication system (2), and to transmit and/or receive digital data by the second communication system (3).