Duty Cycle Control for Wireless Sensor Network Nodes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless sensor networks, nodes often face energy constraints that limit their ability to transmit data continuously, requiring a trade-off between energy conservation and transmission delays, especially when using multi-hop paths, where coordination between nodes is necessary to optimize duty cycles.

Innovation Solution

A system that monitors data packets at a relay station, determines transmission parameters, and adjusts the duty cycle based on normalized parameters compared to set-point values, allowing for dynamic optimization of energy usage and transmission efficiency without requiring independent knowledge of data generation frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If nodes transmit data continuously, then transmission delays are reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The duty cycle is dynamically adjusted based on real-time monitoring of data packet transmission patterns. The system transitions from static duty cycle configurations to adaptive duty cycles that respond to actual network conditions, optimizing the balance between energy consumption and transmission delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The relay station monitors data packets from nodes and uses this feedback information to determine appropriate duty cycle adjustments. The system continuously observes transmission patterns and modifies duty cycles based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage while maintaining acceptable delay performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If duty cycle is increased to reduce transmission delays, then energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the duty cycle parameter based on monitored transmission patterns. By adjusting this key parameter dynamically rather than using fixed values, the system optimizes the trade-off between transmission delay and energy loss according to actual network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If nodes use multi-hop paths to extend communication range, then transmission capability is improved, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay station acts as an intermediary that centralizes the coordination function for multi-hop paths. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination between multiple nodes, the relay station manages duty cycle adjustments, simplifying the coordination architecture while maintaining extended communication range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1898560B1Duty cycle control for networks of nodes
Publication Date: 2011.10.12 SAP SE
  • EP1898560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1898560B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP1898560B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Data packets (122) from a network node (106) may be monitored at a relay station (104) associated with the network that is configured to forward the data packets (122) to a base station (102). The network node (106) may transmit the data packets (122) according to a first duty cycle. At least one transmission parameter associated with transmission of the data packets (122) from the network node (106) to the relay station (104) may be determined, and then may be related to at least one reference value (141) to obtain a normalized transmission parameter. The normalized transmission parameter may be compared to a set-point value (132), and a duty cycle change command (130) may be generated for the network node (106) to forward subsequent data packets (122) according to a second duty cycle, based on the comparison.