Sensor Network Configuration via Domain-Specific Language Parsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and cost associated with configuring and deploying sensor networks, which require expert technicians and result in static, expensive, and time-consuming setups, limiting adaptivity and integration with other networks.

Innovation Solution

A sensor configuration method using a domain-specific language to define sensor descriptions, which are parsed and mapped to controller commands, enabling automated setup, data access, and data processing steps, allowing for flexible and adaptive sensor network configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If expert technicians manually configure sensor networks with custom implementations, then the sensor network can be tailored for specific applications, but the setup becomes complex, expensive, and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom implementation for specific applicationVSAvoidcomplex setup and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sensor descriptions that copy the configuration intent from high-level domain-specific language into executable command formats. Instead of manually configuring each sensor, the system copies the abstract configuration description into concrete controller commands through parsing and mapping, automating the complex manual setup process while maintaining application-specific customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor description format acts as an intermediary between the high-level configuration intent and the low-level controller commands. This intermediary layer translates abstract configuration requirements into executable instructions, eliminating the need for expert technicians to directly interact with complex controller configurations while preserving application-specific adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple configuration options are provided for sensor networks, then more customization is possible, but the proliferation of heterogeneous network data models and protocols increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple configuration optionsVSAvoidproliferation of heterogeneous network data models

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor description format provides a universal configuration interface that works across multiple sensor types and controller implementations. Instead of requiring separate configuration protocols for each sensor model, the system uses a single domain-specific language that can be parsed and mapped to various controller command formats, reducing the proliferation of heterogeneous data models while maintaining multiple configuration options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system copies the universal sensor description format into controller-specific command formats through automated parsing and mapping. This allows the same high-level configuration description to be adapted to different controller types without requiring separate configuration processes, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple heterogeneous protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Stability of the object's composition

If static sensor network configurations are used, then the implementation is stable, but the setup is expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable implementationVSAvoidtime consuming deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor descriptions are prepared in advance in a standardized domain-specific language format that captures the complete configuration intent. This preliminary preparation of configuration descriptions allows for rapid automated deployment without time-consuming manual setup, while the parsed and mapped commands ensure stable, reliable configuration execution that maintains implementation stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If specialized sensing capability is provided by vertical solutions, then specific domain requirements are met, but the adaptivity and integration opportunity into other sensor networks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecialized sensing capabilityVSAvoidintegration opportunity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor description format creates a universal configuration interface that specialized sensors can use while maintaining their domain-specific capabilities. The standardized description format allows specialized sensors to be integrated into heterogeneous sensor networks without requiring custom configuration protocols for each integration scenario, thus maintaining both specialized functionality and broad adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10667103B2Method and apparatus for software defined sensing

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

Systems and methods for configuring a sensor on a controller include receiving a sensor description defined in a format of a domain specific language corresponding to the sensor. The sensor description is parsed to identify one or more instructions. The one or more instructions are mapped to corresponding commands of the controller to enable the controller to perform the one or more instructions.