RF Sensing Node Sleep Mode Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiofrequency-based sensing systems experience high power consumption due to continuous transmission and reception of radiofrequency beacon signals, potentially exceeding power budgets and violating regulations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that configures radiofrequency-based sensing systems with nodes that switch between active and sleep modes based on a wireless communication protocol, activating transmission and reception only at predetermined times, and adjusting beaconing rates based on sensing applications and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiofrequency beacon signals are transmitted frequently and continuously for presence and location detection, then sensing accuracy and detection capability are improved, but power consumption increases and may exceed power budget
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up cycles where sensing nodes alternate between sleep mode and active mode. During each wake-up period, nodes transmit beacon signals at controlled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation maintains sensing capability while significantly reducing power consumption by keeping nodes in low-power state for extended durations between wake-up cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of beacon transmission intervals based on detected motion or presence. When motion is detected, the system increases beacon transmission frequency to maintain accurate tracking. When no motion is detected, the system reduces transmission frequency to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching transmission activity to actual sensing needs.
2Reliability
If the receiver continuously listens for radiofrequency beacon signals, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving node implements periodic wake-up cycles synchronized with transmitting nodes. Instead of continuous listening, the receiver wakes up at predetermined intervals to receive beacon signals, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic reception maintains detection reliability by ensuring the receiver is active when beacons are transmitted while dramatically reducing power consumption during sleep periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where nodes exchange information about their wake-up schedules and detection status. This coordination ensures that transmitting and receiving nodes are both active during overlapping time windows, maintaining reliable detection while allowing both nodes to remain in low-power state for extended periods between coordinated wake-up cycles.
3Measurement precision
If beacon transmission frequency is increased for better location detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power budget is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of beacon transmission intervals based on detected motion or presence. When motion is detected, the system increases beacon transmission frequency to maintain accurate tracking. When no motion is detected, the system reduces transmission frequency to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching transmission activity to actual sensing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (beacon interval, wake-up duration, transmission power) based on environmental conditions and detection requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains location detection accuracy when needed while reducing power consumption during periods of low activity, thereby staying within power budget constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of configuring a radiofrequency-based sensing system comprising a first and a second node; wherein the first and the second nodes are operable in an active mode and in a sleep mode according to a wireless communication protocol; wherein the first node comprises a transmitter arranged for transmitting a radiofrequency beacon signal for presence and/or location detection and the second node comprises a receiver arranged for receiving the transmitted radiofrequency beacon signal; wherein the method comprises: switching an operation mode of the first and the second nodes from the sleep mode to the active mode at a predetermined time instance; receiving, at the first and/or the second node, a wireless communication signal indicative of a wakeup time duration for the first and the second node; wherein the wireless communication signal is implemented according to the wireless communication protocol; activating the first node transmitter, upon receiving the wireless communication signal, to transmit the radiofrequency beacon signal during the wakeup time duration; activating the second node receiver, upon receiving the wireless communication signal, to receive the transmitted radiofrequency beacon signal during the wakeup time duration; processing the received radiofrequency beacon signal for presence and/or location detection; switching the operation mode of the first and the second node to sleep mode upon expiration of the wakeup time duration.