Modular Analyte Sensor Core for Real-Time Plume Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analyte sensor systems on unmanned sensor platforms lack intuitive and contemporaneous visualization and characterization of hazardous chemical plumes, limiting their effectiveness in real-time monitoring and characterization.
Innovation Solution
A modular sensor core system that can be easily secured and removed from various platforms, providing real-time analyte data transmission and integration with maps for intuitive visualization, featuring a lightweight design with internal power supplies to maintain sensor activity without downtime, and enabling continuous operation across different environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional analyte sensor systems are deployed on unmanned sensor platforms, then the platforms can operate over long distances and in all environments, but the systems are unable to provide intuitive and contemporaneous visualization and characterization of hazardous chemical plumes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into modular sensor cores that can be independently deployed and configured. Each sensor core contains specific analyte sensors that can be selectively activated, allowing the system to be segmented into functional units that can be optimized for different detection needs while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor cores are designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting mechanisms that allow them to be deployed on various unmanned platform types (aerial, ground, underwater). This multi-functionality enables the same sensor core design to serve multiple detection scenarios without requiring platform-specific customization, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive visualization capabilities.
2Duration of action of moving object
If modular sensor cores with internal power supplies are used, then sensor activity is maintained without downtime and operational flexibility is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Power supplies are pre-installed within each sensor core during manufacturing, and sensors are pre-configured with their power management circuits. This preliminary action ensures that when sensor cores are deployed, they are immediately operational without requiring external power connections or activation procedures, eliminating downtime while the modular design keeps individual core complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor core is designed as a self-contained unit with integrated power management that allows it to autonomously regulate its own power consumption and maintain operation independently. This self-service capability enables continuous sensor activity without requiring centralized power management, reducing the complexity burden on the overall system architecture.
3Loss of information
If real-time wireless transmission of sensor data is implemented, then contemporaneous visualization is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits sensor data in periodic bursts rather than continuously, synchronizing transmission events with data collection cycles. This periodic action maintains real-time visualization capability while significantly reducing the total energy consumption of wireless transmission compared to continuous data streaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits only the most critical analyte data and alarm conditions in real-time, while less urgent measurements are transmitted asynchronously or stored for later transmission. This partial transmission approach achieves contemporaneous visualization of hazardous conditions while minimizing overall energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Analyte survey systems (100) and related techniques are provided to improve the operation of handheld or unmanned mobile sensor or survey platforms. An analyte survey system includes a logic device (112) configured to communicate with a communication module (164) and a sensor assembly (166) of a modular sensor core (160), where the communication module is configured to establish a wireless communication link with a base station (130) associated with the modular sensor core and/or a mobile sensor platform (110) and the sensor assembly is configured to provide analyte sensor data as the modular sensor core is maneuvered within a survey area.