Packet Servicing for Time-Slot Listening Event Offsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered smart meters face limitations in functionality and communication due to battery life constraints, as they cannot keep pace with increasing power demands and communication requirements, leading to reduced capabilities compared to mains-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a scheduling system where battery-powered devices (BPDs) are assigned 'event offsets' by mains-powered devices (MPDs) to minimize wake-up times and optimize radio usage, allowing for just-in-time radio activation and reducing overall power consumption, enabling BPDs to participate in communication networks without shortening battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If battery-powered smart meters adopt new capabilities and increased functionality, then device capabilities are improved, but battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic communication schedules where battery-powered devices wake up at specific intervals to transmit data and then return to sleep mode. This periodic action allows the device to maintain communication functionality while minimizing power consumption, as the radio is active only during scheduled transmission windows rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic scheduling where communication parameters such as wake-up intervals, transmission power, and data buffer thresholds are adjusted based on device state and network conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between functionality and power consumption in real-time, extending battery life while maintaining necessary device capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery-powered devices communicate more frequently with mains-powered devices, then communication ability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes periodic communication cycles where battery-powered devices wake up at predetermined intervals to exchange data with mains-powered devices. During these periodic windows, full communication functionality is available, but between windows the radio remains dormant, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary data buffering where measurements are collected and stored in local memory during sleep periods, then transmitted in bulk during wake-up periods. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous radio operation, as multiple measurements can be sent in single transmissions, improving communication efficiency while reducing power consumption.
3Duration of action of moving object
If mains-powered devices adapt communication protocols for battery-powered devices, then battery life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol into distinct layers: a simplified macaque layer for battery-powered devices handling wake-up scheduling and data buffering, and a standard TCP/IP layer for data transmission. This segmentation allows the battery-powered device to implement only the essential low-power functions while maintaining compatibility with standard networking protocols, extending battery life without requiring complete protocol redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scheduling layer that translates between the simplified periodic communication model used by battery-powered devices and the standard continuous communication expectations of mains-powered devices. This intermediary layer handles buffer management, timing synchronization, and protocol translation, extending battery life while keeping individual device implementations relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques to provide data at listening event offsets, using a buffering scheme having a common buffer. Received data, to be transmitted at the listening event offsets, is stored into the common buffer without classification to listening event offsets. Data to be transmitted at an upcoming listening event offset is identified in the common buffer prior to the listening event offset. Example techniques provide for simpler reconfigurability of listening events offsets, as well as transmitting data at each listening event offset that is responsive to a state of the system prior to the listening event offset.