Pavement Sensor Periodic Sleep Cycle for 10-Year Battery Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature sensors used in pavement monitoring are not capable of functioning for the entire life cycle of the pavement, typically 7-10 years, due to limitations in power supply and durability when installed inside the pavement.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device comprising a sensor, a clock unit, a radio transceiver, and a processor that operates cyclically in a sleeping mode and a listening mode, allowing it to detect wake-up radio signals and transmit measurements via radio, thereby extending its operational period to match the pavement's life cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If temperature sensors are installed in the pavement with batteries for short-term monitoring during laying, then the sensors can function for a few hours, but they cannot operate for the entire pavement life cycle of 7-10 years

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor operational durationVSAvoidbattery energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor operates in periodic cycles alternating between sleeping mode (low power) and listening mode (active). The device wakes up periodically to check for measurement requests, performs measurements only when needed, and returns to sleep mode otherwise. This periodic operation pattern enables the sensor to function for 7-10 years on a single battery by minimizing continuous energy consumption while maintaining operational capability throughout the pavement's entire life cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If the sensor remains in listening mode continuously to detect wake-up signals, then the response time is fast, but the energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor alternates between sleeping mode and listening mode in periodic cycles. During sleeping mode, the sensor consumes minimal power but can still detect wake-up signals. When a signal is detected during sleep mode, the sensor transitions to listening mode to perform the actual measurement. This periodic switching between low-power and active states maintains fast response capability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous listening mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the sensor operates at high frequency to provide continuous monitoring, then the measurement precision is high, but the battery depletes faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor uses periodic cycling between sleeping and listening modes to achieve a balance between measurement precision and battery life. By operating in sleep mode most of the time and only waking up periodically to check for measurement requests, the sensor maintains sufficient monitoring accuracy for pavement condition assessment while extending battery life to match the entire pavement life cycle of 7-10 years.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4495562A1Device and system for measuring a physical parameter relating to the pavement of a road infrastructure section
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 MOVYON
  • EP4495562A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4495562A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP4495562A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

It is disclosed a device for measuring a physical parameter relating to the pavement of a road infrastructure section. The device comprises a sensor, a clock unit, a radio transceiver and a processor. The device is operated cyclically in a sleeping mode and a listening mode. In sleeping mode, only the clock unit is switched on; in listening mode the radio transceiver and the processor are also switched on. When in listening mode a wake-up radio signal is detected, in response to it a measurement of the physical parameter is acquired and the measurement acquired is transmitted via radio. Also described is a system comprising a plurality of devices installed in the pavement during laying and a control device that, moving along the road infrastructure section, transmits to the devices a control signal, in response to which the devices transmit the respective measurements acquired.