Sensor Aware Network Context-Driven Data Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of sensors increases and networks expand, existing data aggregation techniques struggle to maintain optimal routing performance and Quality of Service (QoS) in sensor data flows, leading to congestion and suboptimal responses to detected events or conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor aware network is introduced, where sensor data packets include network context data determined by rules, allowing sensor aware nodes to perform specific actions, such as prioritizing data routing and managing sensor data flows based on context, using a network command module to provide policies and manage network resources dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data aggregation techniques are used to reduce congestion, then network throughput is improved, but routing performance and Quality of Service deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different network nodes to perform different functions based on their characteristics and position in the network. Sensor nodes aggregate data locally while router nodes perform routing decisions, allowing each node to optimize its specific function rather than requiring all nodes to perform all functions, thereby maintaining routing performance while improving throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensor network into functional layers: sensor nodes for data collection and aggregation, and router nodes for routing and data forwarding. This segmentation allows data aggregation to occur at the sensor layer without compromising the routing decisions made at the router layer, resolving the contradiction between throughput improvement and routing performance maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of sensors increases, then monitoring capability is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having sensor nodes aggregate and preprocess data locally before transmitting to the network. This preliminary data aggregation reduces the volume of data entering the network, preventing congestion while maintaining the enhanced monitoring capability provided by the increased number of sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges data aggregation functionality into the sensor nodes themselves rather than requiring separate aggregation servers. This integration allows sensors to combine their monitoring functions with data consolidation, enabling scalable deployment of more sensors without proportional increase in network traffic.
3Productivity
If data aggregation is performed at sensor nodes, then congestion is reduced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing sensor nodes with multi-functional capabilities that can aggregate data, filter information, and make local routing decisions. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified node design that handles multiple tasks, reducing the need for separate specialized components and thereby limiting the increase in network complexity while improving throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are a method and a sensor aware network for dynamic processing of sensor data. Network context data are inserted into data packets from sensors or local sensor networks coupled to the sensor aware network. Sensor aware nodes in the sensor aware network can read the context data and can respond by performing specific network actions. The sensor data and network context data are provided to one or more application nodes. The sensor data and network context data can be stored in a database and later searched according to the network context data. Advantageously, sensor data flows can be treated differently by the sensor aware network, the application and the user, depending on the type of sensor data and the actual data values. Thus critical responses to certain sensor data flows can be implemented more efficiently than otherwise possible using conventional network configurations.