Mains Powered Security Peripheral Backup Power Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mains powered peripherals in security monitoring systems lack a reliable backup power solution, making them unreliable in case of power interruptions, which can compromise the effectiveness of the system and indicate potential security incidents.
Innovation Solution
A peripheral with a rechargeable energy store that powers a processor and a low-power transceiver to send a loss-of-power message to the controller, allowing the system to report power outages without the need for a large capacity energy store, enabling continued functionality and alerting the monitoring station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mains powered peripheral is used to provide high power and wide bandwidth communication (Wi-Fi), then the communication capability is improved, but the reliability during power outages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral charges the energy store in advance during normal operation, so that when a power outage occurs, the processor and transceiver can immediately draw power from the pre-charged energy store without delay, ensuring continuous communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The energy store acts as an intermediary between the mains power supply and the power-consuming electronics, decoupling the peripheral from direct dependence on continuous mains power while maintaining the ability to operate during outages
2Reliability
If a large capacity energy store is provided to power the peripheral during power outages, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed during power outages - maintaining power to the processor and transceiver for communication - rather than providing full power to all peripherals, thereby reducing the required energy store capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The energy store provides partial power support (only to critical components) rather than full power support, which is sufficient for the intended function of maintaining communication during outages without requiring excessive capacity
3Reliability
If battery powered peripherals are used to achieve long battery life, then the reliability is improved, but the power consumption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral is designed to function universally with both mains power (normal operation) and battery power (power outage), automatically switching between power sources based on availability, thus achieving both long operational life and high power capability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a peripheral for a home alarm system, the peripheral comprising: a processor operatively connected to a first transceiver that is configured to transmit signals to, and to receive control signals from, a controller of the alarm system; the peripheral being configured to power the processor, the first transceiver and other power-consuming electronics of the peripheral using electricity supplied from an external energy source; a rechargeable energy store arranged to receive power from the external energy source and to power the second processor and the first transceiver, but not at least some of the other power-consuming electronics, in the event of loss of power from the external energy source; the processor being configured in the event of loss of power from the external energy source to cause the first transceiver to transmit a message to inform the controller of the alarm system of the loss of power, the processor and the first transceiver drawing their power from the energy store.