Sensor Controller Dynamic Data Rate Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore equipment monitoring systems lack efficient control over sensor data rates, leading to unnecessary power consumption and bandwidth overload, as all sensors operate at fixed rates regardless of their criticality or environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor controller dynamically adjusts data rates for each sensor module based on predetermined criteria, prioritizing critical parameters and reducing sampling and transmission during static conditions to conserve power and manage bandwidth effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all sensors operate at fixed high data rates to ensure continuous monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but power consumption and bandwidth usage increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor data rates based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors parameter changes and automatically increases or decreases sampling frequencies accordingly, transitioning from static fixed rates to adaptive dynamic rates that match actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the data rate parameter based on detected conditions. When critical parameter changes are detected, the system increases the data rate parameter; when conditions are stable, it decreases the data rate parameter, thereby optimizing the balance between monitoring reliability and power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If all sensors operate at fixed high data rates to capture critical changes, then measurement precision is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases causing overload
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic data rate adjustment where sensors switch between different sampling frequencies based on operational conditions. This prevents bandwidth overload during stable periods while maintaining high measurement precision when critical changes occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic sampling at variable intervals. During normal conditions, sensors sample at lower frequencies; when critical thresholds are approached or exceeded, the system increases sampling frequency periodically to capture critical changes without持续 high bandwidth consumption.
3Reliability
If sensors continuously sample and transmit data to monitor equipment operation, then reliability of monitoring is improved, but battery power longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sampling intervals based on operational conditions. During stable periods, it reduces sampling frequency to conserve battery power; when critical conditions are detected, it increases sampling frequency to maintain monitoring reliability, thereby extending battery longevity without sacrificing safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sampling rate parameter adaptively. By reducing the data rate parameter during normal operation and only increasing it when necessary, the system extends battery life while maintaining adequate monitoring reliability for critical equipment safety.
4Device complexity
If uniform data rates are applied to all sensors, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different sensor criticality and conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different data rates to different sensors based on their criticality and operational conditions. Critical sensors receive higher data rates while non-critical sensors operate at lower rates, creating local differentiation in quality without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors about their operational conditions and criticality to automatically adjust their data rates. This feedback mechanism enables adaptability to individual sensor needs while maintaining overall system simplicity through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a sensor controller configured to apply predetermined criteria to determine when a parameter value sampled by a sensor module meets the predetermined criteria, and in response to making such a determination, adjust a commanded data rate including an update time period. In an illustrative example, the predetermined criteria may be independently defined for each sensor in a network. In examples with a network of sensors, the sensor controller may dictate sensor module operation at differentiated data rates. In an illustrative example, a sensor controller may communicate with a series of pressure level sensor modules connected to a drilling apparatus in a mud logging application. Upon detection of a pressure level change that exceeds a critical condition as determined through comparison with the predetermined criteria, the sensor controller may increase or decrease a data rate of the respective sensor module, for example.


