Sensor Assembly Dynamic Configuration for Reliability and Energy Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems lack mechanisms for dynamically adjusting performance and reliability, failing to provide sufficient information about faulty operations and recover from anomalies, which limits their adaptability and effectiveness in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a plurality of same-type sensors, where a processor operates a variable number in active and inactive states based on operational parameters related to environmental conditions, allowing for dynamic adjustment and failover mechanisms to maintain desired performance and reliability levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant sensors are used to improve reliability, then the system can recover from sensor failures, but the device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor configuration where the system can switch between different numbers of active sensors based on operational conditions. The processor dynamically adjusts which sensors are active versus inactive, allowing the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing complexity during normal operation. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the redundancy configurable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of sensor activation state (active/inactive) based on environmental conditions and operational needs. By modifying this parameter dynamically, the system can adjust its reliability level without permanently increasing hardware complexity, as sensors can be switched between states rather than always being actively connected.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are operated in active state to improve performance, then measurement accuracy increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active sensors based on operational parameters and environmental conditions. During normal operation, fewer sensors remain active to conserve energy, while the system can activate additional sensors when higher measurement precision is required or when environmental conditions demand enhanced sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of keeping all sensors continuously active, the system uses only the necessary number of sensors for each operational context. This partial action approach maintains adequate measurement precision while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to having all sensors always active.
3Reliability
If sensors are configured for high reliability operation, then the system can withstand environmental variations, but the system lacks adaptability to adjust performance dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic sensor configuration system where the processor can adjust the number of active versus inactive sensors based on real-time operational parameters and environmental conditions. This dynamic capability provides both reliability (by maintaining sufficient active sensors) and adaptability (by adjusting performance level according to needs).
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is designed to serve multiple operational modes through a single configurable architecture. The same physical sensors can be configured for high-reliability operation or reduced-performance operation depending on environmental conditions, making the system universally adaptable rather than requiring separate dedicated configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and systems for controlling a sensor assembly with a plurality of same type sensors. Sensors are operated in active and inactive states. The activation state of at least one of the sensors is changed based on an operational parameter that relates to an environmental condition differentially affecting the plurality of same type sensors.