Environmental Control Loop for Heterogeneous Sensor Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing environmental control systems face challenges in maintaining system reliability and adhering to service level objectives (SLOs) due to the complexity of heterogeneous data sources and the need for real-time, autonomous decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain-based system reliability manager that collects, analyzes, and shares data among heterogeneous components to maintain reliability, using a controller that receives environmental sensor data, identifies violations, and transmits adjustments to operating parameters of other components to attenuate these violations, while utilizing a distributed ledger for data integrity and consensus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a controller receives environmental sensor data from heterogeneous components and transmits adjustments to operating parameters, then service level objectives are met and system reliability is maintained, but the device complexity and difficulty of managing heterogeneous data sources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of heterogeneous data sources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments heterogeneous components into modular units, each with standardized interfaces for data collection and control. The controller divides environmental monitoring into discrete sensor types (temperature, humidity, air quality) and processes each independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed as a universal platform capable of interfacing with multiple types of heterogeneous sensors and actuators through standardized communication protocols. This multi-functionality allows the same controller to manage diverse environmental parameters without requiring specialized hardware for each sensor type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If real-time autonomous decision-making is implemented to maintain service level objectives, then system resilience and adaptability are enhanced, but the processing requirements and response time demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem adaptabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures service level objectives, thresholds, and response protocols before deployment. When environmental parameters breach predefined thresholds, the controller automatically executes pre-planned corrective actions without requiring complex real-time analysis, enabling rapid response while maintaining adaptability to different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data is constantly monitored against service level objectives, and corrective actions are automatically transmitted to actuators. This closed-loop control enables real-time autonomous decision-making by comparing current state with desired state and applying corrections without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If collaborative decision-making among components is implemented, then service level objectives are met, but the communication overhead and coordination complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice level objective complianceVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves as an intermediary that centralizes communication between heterogeneous components. Rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between all components, the controller receives sensor data, processes it against service level objectives, and transmits control commands, reducing communication overhead and coordinating actions across the distributed system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230013452A1Environmental control loop

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 INTEL CORP

AI summary

System and techniques for an environmental control loop are described herein. A device for an environmental control loop can include a memory including instructions and processing circuitry that when in operation, can be configured by the instructions to receive environmental sensor data from a first component in a set of heterogeneous components installed in an environment with a controller. The environmental sensor data can indicate a service level value sensed by the first component. The controller can also measure a violation of a service level objective based on comparing the environmental sensor data to a threshold. The controller can also transmit an adjustment to an operating parameter of a second component of the set of heterogeneous components. The adjustment can be operative to attenuate the violation of the service level objective when implemented by the second component.