Method and apparatus for collection of sensor data using a sensor module
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high installation and maintenance costs of wireless sensor networks limit their penetration into the marketplace, and existing solutions struggle to provide a scalable and flexible approach that can accommodate various sensor applications without significant redesign or redeployment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a plug-and-play universal sensor interface allows sensor module units to be deployed separately from wireless nodes, enabling any type of sensor module unit to be connected to any wireless node at any time without reconfiguring the supporting wireless network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wireless sensor networks are deployed with traditional integration methods, then sensor data collection capability is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: wireless nodes form the communication infrastructure, while sensor module units are independent deployable entities. This segmentation allows the wireless network infrastructure to be installed once and reused, while sensor modules can be independently added, removed, or replaced without affecting the core infrastructure, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless nodes are designed with universal interfaces and protocols that can work with multiple types of sensor module units. The system supports various sensor applications (environmental monitoring, industrial sensing, etc.) through a common platform, allowing the same wireless infrastructure to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for application-specific customizations.
2Measurement precision
If sensor networks are customized for specific applications, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and deployment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic configuration where sensor module units can be selectively activated or deactivated based on application needs. The wireless nodes can dynamically discover and configure connected sensor modules, allowing the network to adapt its complexity level to match the specific application requirements without requiring pre-planned customization for every scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module units and wireless nodes perform automatic self-configuration and self-registration when connected. The system automatically detects the sensor type, configures appropriate measurement parameters, and integrates the new module into the network without requiring manual setup, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing deployment complexity.
3Reliability
If sensor module units are integrated with wireless nodes, then system reliability is improved, but adaptability to different sensor applications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless node acts as an intermediary between the diverse sensor module units and the central monitoring system. It provides a standardized interface and communication protocol that ensures reliable data transmission regardless of the specific sensor type, allowing the system to maintain operational reliability while supporting a wide variety of sensor applications through the mediating wireless node layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal sensor interface enables selective coupling of one or more sensor module units to a wireless node. Each sensor module unit can contain a suite of sensors selected for a particular sensor application at a monitored location. Reconfiguration of the wireless sensor network can occur seamlessly through the plug-and-play connectivity between the sensor module units and the wireless node.