Edge State Management for Sensor Networks With Intermittent Cloud Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing sensor equipment for large electrical machines via cloud connectivity is challenging due to intermittency and unreliability of cloud connections, which can disrupt maintenance and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An edge device is used to manage sensor networks, providing a local entry point and controlling data flow between sensor networks and telecommunications networks, allowing for autonomous operation without continuous cloud connectivity by translating protocols and formats, and computing actions to bring the local state into compliance with target states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensor equipment is managed via cloud connectivity, then management versatility and efficiency are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to intermittent cloud connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge device as an intermediary component between the sensor equipment and the cloud infrastructure. This edge device maintains a local copy of management software and can execute operations autonomously when cloud connectivity is unavailable, thereby preserving system reliability while still enabling cloud-based management when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system is segmented into cloud-based components and local edge device components. The edge device can operate independently as a standalone management system when needed, or synchronize with the cloud when connected, allowing the system to function at different levels of autonomy based on connectivity availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cloud connectivity is required for management, then management versatility is improved, but operational continuity deteriorates due to connection intermittency
Solution Approach 1:
The edge device pre-loads and stores management software, configuration data, and operational instructions locally before cloud connectivity is lost. This preliminary action enables the device to continue executing management functions autonomously during periods of cloud unavailability, maintaining operational continuity while preserving access to versatile management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The method can include building a current local state for the managed devices including retrieving from the managed devices, via a local network, a plurality of current states of corresponding managed devices, and integrating the plurality of current states into the current local state; retrieving, from a remote computer, via a telecommunications network, a target local state for the managed devices; computing a difference between the target local state and the current local state; computing actions based on the difference between the target local state and the current local state, said actions to be executed by the managed devices for bringing the current local state into compliance with the target local state; and communicating the actions to the managed devices, via the local network, for execution.