Low-Power Sensor Network Protocol Using Sleep Mode Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote sensing devices, such as Internet cameras, require significant power for operation and data transmission, limiting their placement options and duration of use, especially in wireless installations where battery replacement or wired connections are necessary, and they struggle to transmit high-resolution data efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A network sensor system with a communication protocol that allows sensors to operate in a low-power sleep mode most of the time, using a central gateway to manage power consumption by synchronizing sensors and activating them only when necessary for data transmission, with repeaters extending the network's reach and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If sensors operate continuously to transmit high-resolution data, then data transmission quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic action principle by organizing sensor network operations into structured time frames with specific phases. Sensors alternate between sleep mode and active transmission modes, with data collected during idle periods and transmitted in designated time slots. This periodic operation allows high-resolution data to be accumulated and transmitted in bursts, maintaining data quality while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are placed in discreet, remote locations, then installation flexibility is improved, but power source availability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service principle through energy harvesting mechanisms that allow sensors to generate their own power from environmental sources such as light, heat, or vibration. This eliminates the need for external power sources or frequent battery replacement, enabling sensors to be deployed in discreet, remote locations without access to electrical infrastructure. The sensors become self-sufficient, maintaining installation flexibility while solving the power availability problem.
3Device complexity
If battery-powered wireless sensors are used, then installation complexity is reduced, but operational duration worsens due to frequent battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting transmission power levels, data sampling rates, and sleep wake intervals based on environmental conditions and network requirements. This allows the system to optimize the balance between operational duration and data quality, extending battery life significantly while maintaining functional performance. The adaptive parameter adjustment enables sensors to operate for extended periods without battery replacement.
4Measurement precision
If high-resolution data is transmitted frequently, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but network power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action principle by pre-processing and filtering sensor data before transmission. Sensors perform local analysis to identify significant events or anomalies, and only transmit high-resolution data when such events are detected. During normal conditions, summarized or lower-resolution data is transmitted. This preliminary filtering maintains monitoring accuracy for critical events while dramatically reducing overall network power consumption by minimizing frequent high-resolution transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A network sensor system is provided that is capable of extremely low-power operation. The network sensor system implements a communication protocol that allows the sensors to operate at most times in a sleep mode, where only a low-power time is active. In this way, each sensor's receiver, transmitter, and support circuitry are operated only when strictly necessary. The network has a defined network time frame, and each device maintains and adjusts its own clock and relationship with the network time. In this way, each sensor is aware about when it may be sent a message, and opens a short listen window only when such a message is expected. If no message is received, or if the message is addressed to another sensor, the sensor goes back to sleep. The sensor's transmitter is only activated in the case where the message 1) is received during the listen period, 2) is addressed to the sensor, and 3) requires a transmission action. Otherwise, the transmitter remains deactivated.