Sensor Node Dynamic Transmission Control for Energy Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems face challenges with battery replacement and power management, particularly in wireless sensor nodes with low power environmental generators, where maintaining energy balance between power generation and consumption is difficult, leading to inefficient communication and increased labor and time for users.
Innovation Solution
A sensor node configuration with environmental sensors, a transmitter, detector, and transmission interval controller that manages power supply from a storage capacitance to control regular and irregular data transmissions based on detected environmental changes, optimizing power usage by reducing unnecessary transmissions and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If communication interval is shortened to transmit measured values when environmental changes occur, then responsiveness to environmental changes is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller dynamically adjusts the communication interval based on environmental change detection. When environmental changes are detected, the communication interval is shortened to transmit measured values promptly. When no changes occur, the interval is extended to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication interval parameter according to the detected environmental conditions. The controller monitors environmental parameters and modifies the transmission timing parameter accordingly, switching between regular intervals and event-triggered transmission based on whether environmental changes exceed thresholds.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If battery is provided for power supply, then continuous operation is ensured, but user labor and time for battery replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node incorporates a power generator that automatically generates electricity from the surrounding environment (light, heat, vibration, etc.). This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for battery replacement by users, while ensuring continuous operation through generated power. The system serves itself by converting environmental energy into electrical energy for its own operation.
3Ease of operation
If environmental power generator with low generation power is used, then device portability and ease of installation are improved, but maintaining energy balance between power generation and consumption becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its power consumption to match the low generation power available from environmental sources. The sensor controller regulates operation modes, sensor activation, and communication frequency based on available power levels, ensuring energy balance is maintained while preserving portability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs only the essential measurements and transmissions needed to maintain functionality with limited power. Non-critical functions are reduced or eliminated, and transmission occurs only when necessary (upon environmental change detection), allowing the low-power generator to sustain operations without requiring excessive power generation capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor node of the invention includes: a first to nth (n is an integer equal to or greater than two) environmental sensors which are configured to acquire ambient environmental information; a transmitter that is configured to regularly issue ambient environmental information acquired by at least one of the second to nth environmental sensors at a predetermined cycle and is configured to irregularly issue ambient environmental information acquired by the first environmental sensor and ambient environmental information acquired by at least one of the second to nth environmental sensors; a detector that is configured to detect a change value of ambient environmental information acquired by the first environmental sensor greater than a first threshold value; and a transmission interval controller that is configured to control a timing at which the transmitter regularly and irregularly issues the ambient environmental information. Power is constantly supplied from a power storage to the first environmental sensor, the transmission interval controller, and the detector when storage capacitance of the power storage is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, and the transmission interval controller is configured to: control a timing of sensing by the second to nth environmental sensor within the predetermined cycle and a timing of issuing by the transmitter to cause the transmitter to perform the regular issuance; and control a timing of sensing by the second to nth environmental sensor and a timing of issuing by the transmitter to cause the transmitter to perform the irregular issuance, according to a predetermined condition, when the change value greater than the first threshold value is detected by the detector.