Smart Sensor Antenna Structure for Light-Sensing Streetlight Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional streetlight controllers with wireless communication capabilities face challenges in integrating light sensors or circuitry that detect light, as existing antenna systems do not allow for proper light sensing without inhibiting the functionality of these components.
Innovation Solution
A light sensing device with a substrate that has interruptions, such as apertures or lenses, to allow light to pass through, positioning radiative antenna elements on one surface and light-responsive circuitry, like photosensors, on the opposite surface, enabling effective light detection while maintaining wireless communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional antenna system is used in streetlight controllers, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but light sensing functionality is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional layers: an antenna layer for wireless communication and a sensor layer for light detection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interference, resolving the contradiction between wireless communication and light sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar antenna design to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with vertical separation between antenna elements and light sensors. By utilizing the vertical dimension, both wireless communication and light sensing can coexist without mutual interference
2Device complexity
If light sensors are integrated under antenna systems, then device compactness is improved, but light detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device structure is segmented into distinct stacked layers with the antenna system in one layer and light sensors in another. This vertical segmentation maintains compactness while preventing the antenna from blocking light paths to the sensors, thereby preserving detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate structures such as transparent substrates and strategically positioned apertures that mediate between the antenna layer and sensor layer. These intermediaries allow light to pass through to the sensors while maintaining the structural integrity and compactness of the integrated device
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 configuration allows for reliable light sensing and wireless communication by ensuring that light can reach the photosensors without obstructing the antenna's functionality, enhancing the operational efficiency of streetlight controllers.
Implementation Method 1
The processing section includes light-responsive circuitry and is configured such that the light-responsive circuitry is positioned so as to receive at least some of the light entering the housing through the one or more interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna for a smart sensor device includes a generally circular, substantially rigid substrate and a radiative antenna element integrated with the substrate. According to one embodiment, the antenna element is a primary cellular antenna arranged to pass signals at frequencies between 600 MHz and 3 GHz. According to another embodiment, a second radiative antenna element may be integrated with the substrate. In such a case, the second antenna element may be arranged to receive location-based signals from satellites or operate as a cellular diversity antenna arranged to receive cellular signals present in proximity to the antenna. The substrate may include at least one interruption (e.g., aperture or lens) arranged to permit light to reach an area inside the sensor device that would otherwise be shielded by the substrate. In such a case, the radiative antenna element(s) may be integrated with the substrate so as to avoid the interruption.