Proxy Station Data Relay for Sensor Communication Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication between an access point and a sensor device in automated warehouses can be unreliable due to obstacles, leading to failure in obtaining temperature data from the sensor device.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a first station operates as a proxy master station to request and store data from a second station, allowing the access point to reliably obtain data even when direct communication is impaired, by switching operation modes and using wireless network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct wireless communication is used between the access point and the second station, then the communication system is simple, but the data transmission reliability deteriorates due to obstacles blocking the radio field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a first station as an intermediary device between the access point and the second station. When direct communication between the access point and second station is blocked by obstacles, the first station receives data from the second station and forwards it to the access point, ensuring reliable data transmission through alternative routing.
2Reliability
If the first station operates continuously as a proxy master station to ensure data acquisition, then data reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first station dynamically switches between two operation modes: a first operation mode where it operates as a normal slave station with low energy consumption, and a second operation mode where it operates as a proxy master station with higher energy consumption but ensures data acquisition. The station transitions to the second mode only when direct communication between the access point and second station is determined to be blocked, and returns to the first mode when communication is restored, thus optimizing energy usage based on actual communication conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method includes: switching an operation mode of a first station from a first operation mode to a second operation mode; transmitting a first signal from the first station to a second station; transmitting data from the second station to the first station in response to the first signal; storing the data received by the first station from the second station into a storage of the first station; switching the operation mode of the first station from the second operation mode to the first operation mode; transmitting a second signal from an access point to the first station; and transmitting the data stored into the storage from the first station operating in the first operation mode to the access point in response to the second signal.