Energy Harvesting Node Scheduling in Wireless Sensor Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless sensor nodes powered by energy harvesting face limitations due to the intermittent and often insufficient energy supply, leading to inefficient power management and reduced operational lifespan, as conventional communication scheduling does not account for the energy source, causing nodes to remain in active power mode for extended periods.

Innovation Solution

A network coordinator determines whether a wireless device is powered via energy harvesting and schedules it to communicate during priority timeslots in the initial portion of a superframe, minimizing operating power state time and maximizing sleep time, using a TDMA scheduling technique in conjunction with protocols like IEEE802.15.4e.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional communication scheduling is used without considering energy source, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but energy harvesting nodes must remain in active power mode for extended periods causing energy depletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational lifespan of energy harvesting nodesVSAvoidenergy consumption of harvesting nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling that adapts communication timeslots based on the energy source type of each node. Energy harvesting nodes are assigned specific timeslots that align with their energy availability patterns, allowing them to dynamically adjust their active periods to match harvesting opportunities while conventional nodes use traditional scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the scheduling parameter (communication timeslot assignment) based on the energy source parameter of each node. By identifying whether a node uses energy harvesting or conventional power, the coordinator assigns appropriate timeslots that optimize energy consumption patterns for each node type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If energy harvesting nodes are scheduled to communicate frequently to ensure data transmission, then productivity is improved, but the limited energy supply is depleted faster reducing operational life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidoperational lifespan of harvesting nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic communication schedules where energy harvesting nodes transmit data at specific intervals rather than continuously. The coordinator assigns periodic timeslots that match the energy harvesting cycle, allowing nodes to sleep between transmissions and wake only when energy is available and data needs to be sent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses partial action by scheduling energy harvesting nodes to communicate only during specific timeslots when energy is available, rather than maintaining continuous communication. This partial engagement optimizes the limited energy supply while still achieving necessary data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If energy harvesting nodes remain in active power mode to handle unpredictable energy availability, then adaptability is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to energy availability variationsVSAvoidpower consumption of harvesting nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the coordinator receives information about the energy source type from each node and uses this feedback to optimize scheduling decisions. Nodes provide feedback about their energy availability status, and the coordinator adjusts timeslot assignments accordingly to balance adaptability with energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250016816A1Scheduling energy harvesting nodes in a wireless sensor network

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A system and method for optimizing power consumption of energy harvesting nodes in a wireless sensor network. In one embodiment, a system includes a network coordinator. The network coordinator includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The wireless transceiver is configured to provide access to the wireless sensor network. The controller is configured to determine whether a wireless device that is wirelessly communicating with the network coordinator is powered via energy harvesting. The controller is also configured to schedule, based on a determination that the wireless device is powered via energy harvesting, the wireless device to communicate via the wireless sensor network using a priority timeslot of a superframe of the wireless sensor network. The priority timeslot is a timeslot occurring in an initial portion of the superframe.