Wireless Sensor Network Hub Negotiates Guaranteed Time Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless sensor networks, existing systems face inefficiencies due to frequent repetition of timeslot definition signals, leading to impractically long signal durations and significant power consumption in sensor nodes, especially as the number of timeslots increases, and this is exacerbated by the need for nodes to maintain a powered receiver for broadcast beacon and timeslot definition signals.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with a hub that negotiates a single periodic guaranteed time slot for sensor nodes using a non-repeating timeslot definition signal, reducing the operational time of receivers and minimizing power consumption, while allowing for efficient communication and network architecture optimization, including tree-like and mesh network architectures to extend communication range and battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If timeslot definition signals are repeated frequently to define timeslots for wireless nodes, then the timeslot definition is maintained and updated, but the signal duration becomes impractically long and power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimeslot definition maintenanceVSAvoidsignal duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hub performs preliminary action by negotiating and defining all timeslots in advance using a single timeslot definition signal. This preliminary definition eliminates the need for frequent repetitions of the timeslot definition signal, thereby reducing signal duration while maintaining reliable timeslot allocation for all sensor nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If timeslot definition signals are repeated frequently to define timeslots for wireless nodes, then the timeslot definition is maintained and updated, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimeslot definition maintenanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hub performs preliminary action by negotiating and defining all timeslots in advance using a single timeslot definition signal. This preliminary definition eliminates the need for frequent repetitions of the timeslot definition signal, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable timeslot allocation for all sensor nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If receivers are kept operable for broadcast beacon signals and timeslot definition signals, then nodes can receive network information, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork information receptionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Sensor nodes operate their receivers in a periodic manner, activating only during specific guaranteed time slots when they are scheduled to transmit or receive data. This periodic operation significantly reduces power consumption compared to keeping receivers continuously operable, while still ensuring reliable reception of network information during critical periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Use of energy by moving object

If a single timeslot definition signal is used to negotiate timing, then power consumption is reduced, but the complexity of negotiation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnegotiation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple timeslot definition operations into a single comprehensive negotiation process. The hub negotiates the timing of all guaranteed time slots for multiple sensor nodes in one unified timeslot definition signal, rather than performing separate negotiations for each node. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity and power consumption while maintaining effective timeslot allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10455368B2Systems and methods for providing communications within wireless sensor networks based on at least one periodic guaranteed time slot for sensor nodes

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 ZAINAR INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing communications within wireless sensor networks based on at least one periodic guaranteed time slot for sensor nodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system includes a hub having one or more processing units and RF circuitry for transmitting and receiving communications in a wireless network architecture. The system also includes a plurality of sensor nodes each having a wireless device with a transmitter and a receiver to enable bi-directional communications with the hub in the wireless network architecture. The one or more processing units of the hub are configured to execute instructions to negotiate a timing of the at least one periodic guaranteed time slot for the plurality of sensor nodes once using a single timeslot definition signal.