Miniature Sensor BLE-to-MQTT Communication for Low-Power Power IoT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional miniature intelligent sensors for power grids face high power consumption, poor real-time performance, and low efficiency in data communication, leading to frequent battery replacements and compatibility issues with automation equipment.

Innovation Solution

A communication system utilizing Bluetooth for low-power data transmission between sensors and a power gateway, coupled with MQTT protocol conversion for efficient data transfer to a power IoT server, optimizing power consumption and reducing communication delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional energy acquisition and communication manners are adopted, then the sensor can obtain power supply and communicate data, but the volume of power supply module and communication module increases and communication power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication power consumptionVSAvoidvolume of power supply module and communication module

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional wired communication and power acquisition mechanisms with wireless Bluetooth communication and wireless power transmission. The sensor node uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for both data communication and power reception, eliminating the need for large batteries and wired connections. This substitution dramatically reduces both power consumption and module volume while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dual-function wireless system where the Bluetooth module serves both communication and power reception purposes. The same antenna and radio frequency circuit are used for both transmitting/receiving data and receiving wireless power, eliminating the need for separate power supply modules and reducing overall system volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If HTTP protocol is used for IoT gateway communication, then remote users can monitor equipment through web page, but communication efficiency is low and real-time performance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the communication protocol parameter from HTTP to MQTT. MQTT is designed specifically for IoT applications with smaller packet sizes, lower overhead, and publish-subscribe architecture that enables real-time data transmission. This parameter change improves communication efficiency and reduces latency while maintaining remote monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an MQTT broker as an intermediary between sensor nodes and the IoT gateway. The broker receives published data from sensors and distributes it to subscribed clients, enabling efficient many-to-many communication without requiring direct HTTP connections between each device and the gateway, thus reducing overall communication overhead and improving real-time performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional communication protocols are used, then data can be transmitted between sensor and gateway, but compatibility with automation equipment is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with automation equipmentVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as a universal communication standard that is widely supported by modern automation equipment, mobile devices, and IoT platforms. BLE's widespread adoption ensures better compatibility across different systems while its standardized protocol stack simplifies integration compared to proprietary communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The MQTT broker acts as a protocol intermediary that translates between BLE messages from sensors and various automation equipment protocols. This mediator layer handles protocol conversion and data normalization, enabling seamless communication between diverse devices without requiring each device to support multiple complex protocols directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12501237B2Communication system, method and device for miniature intelligent sensor

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 SOUTHERN POWER GRID DIGITAL GRID RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD

AI summary

A communication system, method, and device for a miniature intelligent sensor. The communication system includes a sensor, a power gateway, and a power Internet of things (IoT) server. The sensor is configured to obtain sensor data and send the sensor data to the power gateway according to a Bluetooth communication protocol. The power gateway is configured to receive the sensor data and perform protocol conversion on the sensor data to obtain protocol conversion data adapted to a message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocol. The power gateway is configured to send the protocol conversion data to the power IoT server according to the MQTT protocol. The power IoT server is configured to receive the protocol conversion data and obtain server receiving data of the power IoT server according to the protocol conversion data.