Wireless Sensor Hand-off and Channel Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing healthcare monitoring systems face challenges in providing continuous, low-power wireless communication and tracking of implantable and wearable biosensors, particularly in minimizing power consumption and ensuring reliable data transmission within a network of limited range, while allowing sensors to roam and hand-off between base stations without interference.
Innovation Solution
A healthcare monitoring system comprising sensor devices with radio frequency transceivers that attach to base stations, a central server for channel management, and a network architecture that dynamically allocates channels, scans for available frequencies, and handles hand-offs between base stations, ensuring continuous data transmission and location tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If wireless transmission is used to minimize power consumption of implantable sensors, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission range is limited and requires receiving equipment in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate base stations distributed throughout the facility that act as mediators between the low-power implantable sensor and the external monitoring system. The sensor transmits data wirelessly at low power to nearby base stations, which then relay the data through wired connections to the central server, enabling extended range without increasing sensor power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple distributed base stations rather than requiring a single centralized receiver. Each base station covers a local area and can independently receive transmissions from sensors in its vicinity, allowing the sensor to maintain low power consumption while the network as a whole provides facility-wide coverage
2Loss of information
If a network of base stations is deployed to enable continuous monitoring and tracking, then location tracking capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base stations are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as data receivers for physiological monitoring and as location tracking reference points. The same infrastructure that enables continuous data collection also provides tracking capability by recording which base station receives transmissions at any given time, eliminating the need for separate tracking hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks sensor location by monitoring which base station receives wireless transmissions from the sensor. The central server maintains a database that automatically updates the sensor's location based on base station communications, eliminating the need for manual tracking or additional positioning hardware on the sensor itself
3Duration of action of stationary object
If sensors are allowed to roam between base stations for continuous coverage, then monitoring continuity is improved, but channel interference and hand-off reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary channel assessment and hand-off preparation before the sensor actually needs to switch base stations. Base stations monitor signal strength and proactively establish communication channels with sensors as they approach coverage boundaries, ensuring smooth transitions without interruption to monitoring continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters including channel selection and transmission power based on real-time conditions. When a sensor roams between base stations, the system dynamically hands off the connection and adjusts channels to avoid interference, maintaining reliable communication throughout the transition
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
The system enables efficient, low-power wireless communication and tracking of biosensors, ensuring reliable data transmission and location monitoring within a healthcare facility, with robust channel allocation and hand-off mechanisms to maintain continuous coverage and minimize interference.
Implementation Method 1
transmit data between the sensor and some monitoring and control system using some form of wireless transmission mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A healthcare monitoring system includes a plurality of patient wearable sensor devices for the purpose of monitoring physiological data, each sensor device including a radio frequency transceiver. A plurality of base stations are provided at respective fixed locations within a healthcare facility, each base station including a radio frequency transceiver for communicating with one or more of the sensor devices for the purpose of receiving monitored physiological data. A central server is coupled to the base stations for the purpose of receiving and recording monitored physiological data. Each sensor device is arranged in use to attach to a first base station that is within range, and to attach to a second, different base station that is within range when contact with the first base station is lost, attachment of the sensor device to a base station being registered with the central server.