Modular Analyte Sensing for Real-Time Chemical Plume Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analyte sensor systems lack intuitive and contemporaneous visualization and characterization of hazardous chemical plumes, limiting their effectiveness in real-time monitoring and characterization, especially in environments where unmanned sensor platforms operate.
Innovation Solution
A modular sensor core system integrated with a sensor assembly, communication module, position sensor, and additional sensors, which can generate two or three-dimensional spatial maps and provide real-time analyte data visualization, allowing for intuitive characterization of chemical plumes and improved operational flexibility on various platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional analyte sensor systems are used, then the systems can detect hazardous chemical plumes, but they fail to provide intuitive and contemporaneous visualization and characterization of the plumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (analyte sensors, position sensors, remote sensors) into an integrated sensor system that simultaneously collects chemical, spatial, and environmental data. This merging enables comprehensive plume visualization and characterization without requiring separate systems, thus improving information completeness while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting analyte concentrations, tracking position, capturing remote imagery, and generating visualizations. This multi-functionality allows a single system to provide both detection and intuitive visualization/characterization, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system complexity.
2Reliability
If a modular sensor core system with multiple sensors is implemented, then real-time analyte data visualization and characterization are achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into modular components including a modular sensor core, sensor cradle, and various sensor assemblies that can be independently configured and deployed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable real-time monitoring through coordinated modular units while managing complexity by allowing selective deployment of only the necessary sensor components for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time data processing and visualization feedback loops that continuously monitor analyte concentrations, position, and environmental conditions, providing immediate feedback for plume characterization. This feedback mechanism enhances reliability by enabling continuous verification and adjustment of measurements while the modular architecture manages the complexity of processing multiple data streams.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors and processing capabilities are added to provide spatial mapping and visualization, then the characterization capability improves, but the device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration and configuration of the modular sensor core before deployment, with pre-programmed sensor assemblies and pre-configured data processing algorithms. This preliminary action ensures high measurement precision for plume characterization while simplifying deployment operations, as the system is prepared in advance rather than requiring complex setup in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular sensor system incorporates self-diagnostic and self-calibration capabilities that automatically verify sensor functionality and adjust measurements without requiring extensive manual intervention. This self-service feature maintains high characterization precision through automated quality control while significantly improving ease of deployment and operation.
Data Source
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.