LoRa Data Processing Device for Wireless Sensor Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing systems for wireless measurement data from sensor units face challenges in efficient and reliable data processing due to high energy consumption and connectivity issues, particularly when connection problems arise between receiving stations and network servers or application servers.

Innovation Solution

A data processing device equipped with a low-energy LoRa communication module, a LoRa network server, and a LoRa application server, which selectively processes measurement data from identified sensor units, reducing data transmission rates and ensuring continuous data processing even if the connection to the communication network is lost, by acting as a gateway and filtering out irrelevant data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all received measurement data is transmitted to the LoRa application server, then complete data availability is ensured, but data transmission rate and energy consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential measured values from the complete measurement data, separating critical information from redundant data. The LoRa application server receives only the extracted measured values rather than all raw measurement data, reducing transmission volume while maintaining data availability for monitoring purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting all measurement data, the system transmits a partial subset containing only the measured values necessary for application-level processing. This partial transmission approach reduces energy consumption and data transfer volume while still providing sufficient information for the application server to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of information

If measurement data is transmitted at high data transmission rates, then complete data information is delivered, but energy consumption and network load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata information completenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential measured values from complete measurement data packets. By identifying and transmitting only the critical measured value information rather than all raw data, the patent reduces transmission rates and energy consumption while preserving the essential information needed for monitoring and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement data is segmented into essential measured values and non-essential raw data. Only the segmented measured value portion is transmitted at high priority, while other data can be processed locally or transmitted at lower priorities, reducing overall network load and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If the receiving station filters measurement data before transmission, then data transmission volume is reduced, but processing complexity at the receiving station increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission volumeVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving station performs self-service by automatically filtering and extracting measured values from incoming measurement data using pre-configured criteria. This self-service filtering mechanism reduces the need for complex external processing while maintaining reduced data transmission volume, as the receiving station handles the filtering complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If connection problems occur between receiving station and network server, then data transmission reliability is compromised, but continuous local processing can maintain operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by extracting and preparing measured values locally at the receiving station before transmission. This preliminary processing ensures that essential data is ready for immediate transmission or local use, maintaining operational continuity even when network connections fail between the receiving station and network server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving station acts as an intermediary that can operate independently of the network server. By maintaining local filtering and measurement value extraction capabilities, the receiving station can continue processing and storing data locally even when connection to the network server is interrupted, ensuring continuous operation without requiring complex redundant server architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3930291B1Data processing apparatus for receiving measurement data
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 E KUNDENSERVICE NETZ GMBH
  • EP3930291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3930291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3930291B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a data processing device comprising a low-energy LoRa communication module configured to receive measurement data from at least one sensor unit. The data processing device further comprises a LoRa network server and/or a LoRa application server. A data processing system is also disclosed. The data processing device may further comprise a first communication module configured to transmit the received measurement data, selected measurement data from the received measurement data, and/or at least one measurement value determined from the received measurement data and representative of a measurand to a communication network.