RF-Powered Building Sensors With Beam-Steered Auto Commissioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and limited power availability of wireless sensors in building environments hinder widespread energy savings, as they rely on batteries with short lifetimes or require expensive energy harvesting methods like indoor-light harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system powered by centralized RF energy, featuring self-localizing sensor nodes and an RF hub that uses beam steering for automatic commissioning and power delivery, eliminating the need for onboard batteries and reducing installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If wireless sensors use batteries, then they can operate continuously, but the lifetime is limited and replacement cost increases operational expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the sensor node by using external RF power transmission. The sensor node no longer contains a battery, instead receiving power wirelessly from an external RF hub through electromagnetic energy harvesting, thus eliminating battery replacement needs while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The RF hub serves multiple functions: it transmits RF power to sensor nodes, receives sensor data, and performs beam steering for localization. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate power sources at each sensor while ensuring continuous operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If wireless sensors use indoor-light harvesting, then they can be battery-free, but the device cost is high and power availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an RF hub as an intermediary that generates and transmits RF power to sensor nodes. This centralized approach replaces expensive distributed light-harvesting systems with a more cost-effective RF power transmission system, improving power availability while reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy transmission parameter from optical (light) to electromagnetic RF waves. This parameter change enables more efficient and cost-effective power transmission, as RF energy can penetrate building materials better than light and can be transmitted over longer distances with higher reliability
3Productivity
If sensors are deployed manually with location configuration, then installation is straightforward, but labor costs increase and dense deployment becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic localization and commissioning. Sensor nodes automatically determine their locations using beam steering techniques, and the system automatically configures them without manual intervention. This self-service capability dramatically increases deployment speed and enables dense deployment while reducing labor costs and installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from RF signal strength measurements during beam steering to automatically determine sensor node locations. This feedback mechanism enables automatic commissioning and configuration, eliminating manual location entry and significantly improving deployment productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables cost-effective, battery-free sensor deployment with dense environmental monitoring, reducing material and operational costs while ensuring continuous power and accurate localization, thereby accelerating the adoption of smart building sensor networks.
Implementation Method 1
an RF hub configured to automatically locate each sensor node remotely using beam steering, transmit RF power to the sensors
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensor nodes powered by centralized RF power configured to send and receive building data
Data Source
AI summary
A system of sensor nodes is combined with an RF hub that transmits RF power to the sensors and receives data therefrom. The sensor nodes contain: one or more sensors for measuring indoor conditions, an antenna, an energy storage element, and electronics for powering the system via harvesting RF energy, reading sensor data, and communicating sensor data. The sensors, antenna, and other components on the nodes can be fabricated conventionally, or via printing. They may be fabricated as “flexible hybrid electronics”, in which conventional components are bonded onto flexible substrates. The RF hub consists of one or more antennas capable of transmitting RF power electronics for steering the center of radiation of the RF power in at least one direction or in more than one direction electronics for receiving a demodulating RF data signal. The RF hub may be powered directly from the building.