MEMS Sensor Assembly for Wireless Cage Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor technologies for monitoring conditions in small spaces, such as animal cages, are hindered by their large size and significant wiring requirements, making them impractical for use in multiple cage environments.
Innovation Solution
A remote sensor assembly utilizing MEMS sensors and wireless communication, with a processing device that filters and selectively transmits data, reducing the need for wiring and minimizing the assembly's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional temperature sensor devices are used to monitor conditions in animal cages, then sensing capability is provided, but the device size is too large to fit conveniently within an animal cage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical sensor systems with a wireless sensor system that uses electromagnetic fields for data transmission. The sensor assembly includes wireless communication circuitry that transmits sensor data without physical wiring, eliminating the need for large connection cables and power supplies, thus reducing device size while maintaining sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the monitoring function into distributed sensor nodes that can be placed individually within cages. Each sensor assembly is a self-contained unit with sensors, processing circuitry, and wireless communication capabilities, allowing multiple small sensors to replace one large centralized monitoring system
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor devices are used to monitor various conditions in animal cages, then comprehensive monitoring capability is achieved, but the wiring requirements become staggering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wiring with wireless communication technology. Each sensor assembly contains wireless communication circuitry that transmits data using electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for extensive electrical wiring infrastructure. This allows multiple sensors to be deployed without proportionally increasing wiring complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal wireless sensor platform that can monitor multiple parameters (temperature, humidity, light, motion) using a single integrated system. The sensor assembly includes multiple sensor types and wireless communication capabilities in one unit, providing comprehensive monitoring without requiring separate wired connections for each sensor type
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables practical use in animal cages by significantly reducing size and wiring requirements, allowing for efficient monitoring of environmental conditions and animal health parameters.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors supported on the silicon substrate
Implementation Method 2
a wireless communication circuit supported on the silicon substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A remote sensor assembly includes a silicon substrate, a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors supported on the silicon substrate, a wireless communication circuit supported on the silicon substrate, and a processing device supported on the silicon substrate. The processing device is operable to obtain measurement values from at least one of plurality of MEMS sensors, perform a first filtering operation on the measurement values, and determine whether to cause the communication circuit to transmit a signal to an external device based on the first filtering operation.