RF Sensor System for Relative Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sensors used in civil engineering projects are large and bulky, limiting their deployment and accuracy due to power consumption and battery life, which restricts the ability to monitor relative motion of structure components effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising at least two sensors with RF transceivers and microprocessors, using stored program code to determine relative distance by calculating time differences and compensating for processing delays, allowing for more accurate and reliable position monitoring through reduced sensor size and increased deployment density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional large and bulky sensors are used to ensure useful battery life, then power consumption is controlled, but sensor deployment density is limited and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring task by deploying multiple small sensors throughout the structure instead of using fewer large sensors. Each sensor is a simple node that transmits data wirelessly, dividing the overall monitoring function across many distributed units to achieve both high density and precise position monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/wired sensor systems with wireless RF communication-based sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connections and large power-consuming components, enabling small sensor size while maintaining functionality through wireless data transmission
2Measurement precision
If sensor size is reduced to increase deployment density, then measurement precision improves, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-consuming components from the sensor system by using wireless RF transmission instead of wired connections with local processing. The sensors are simple nodes that only transmit data, removing the need for large batteries and complex onboard processing that would consume power
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing RF infrastructure and passive positioning methods where sensors do not need active power-intensive processing. The positioning is determined through time difference of arrival calculations performed by the receiving end, allowing small passive sensors to provide precise position data without consuming significant power
3Measurement precision
If more sensors are deployed to improve position monitoring accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node is designed as a universal, identical unit that performs the same simple function of transmitting position data wirelessly. This standardization simplifies the system architecture, as all nodes are interchangeable and the complexity is managed through uniformity rather than individual customization
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the RF transmission mechanism where each sensor continuously reports its position, and the central system processes this data to determine relative motion. The feedback loop is simple and standardized, managing complexity through systematic data collection and processing rather than complex individual sensor operations
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
Enables accurate position monitoring with improved reliability and finer meshed location coverage by reducing sensor size and power consumption, facilitating the use of multiple sensors to measure distances and detect relative motion with high precision.
Implementation Method 1
determine a time difference between said sending and said receiving; and compensate said time difference for a processing delay to determine timing data representing a distance to said second sensor
Data Source
AI summary
We describe a sensor system for measuring relative distance between sensors of the system, the sensor system comprising at least two sensors, wherein each said sensor comprises an RF transceiver coupled to a microprocessor and stored program code for controlling the microprocessor, wherein said stored program code comprises code to: send, using said RF transceiver a group of one or more data bits from the sensor to a second sensor; receive, using said RF transceiver, an acknowledgement of reception of said group of data bits from said second sensor; determine a time difference between said sending and said receiving; compensate said time difference from a processing delay by the microprocessor of said second sensor between the second sensor receiving said group of data bits and sending said acknowledgement, to determine timing data reprinting distance to said second sensor.