Sensor Node Hardware Configuration for Power Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of sensor nodes and base stations for sensor networks faces challenges in achieving common hardware configurations that balance performance, size, cost, and operational life, while also addressing noise interference and power consumption issues.

Innovation Solution

The hardware configuration of sensor nodes is shared with base stations, using a serial interface for communication, and noise shielding is implemented to separate noise-generating and noise-sensitive circuits, with external RTC and microcomputer control to minimize power consumption during intermittent operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If hardware configurations are made common between sensor node and base station, then development time and cost are reduced, but performance and size requirements cannot be simultaneously satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment timeVSAvoidperformance adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base station is divided into two functional parts: a wireless communication unit that shares hardware with the sensor node, and a control unit that handles base station-specific functions. This segmentation allows the common hardware to be optimized for low power consumption while the control unit provides the necessary performance enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor node hardware is designed to be universal, serving both as a standalone sensor node and as the wireless communication unit of a base station. When used as a base station, it combines with a control unit to provide enhanced functionality, thus achieving multi-functionality from the same hardware platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If sensor node operates intermittently to save power, then battery life is extended, but communication reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station maintains a cache of communication commands and data in advance. When the sensor node wakes up, the base station can immediately execute pre-prepared commands without requiring the node to remain awake for command retrieval, thus maintaining reliability while enabling intermittent operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the base station tracks the operational state and wake-up schedule of sensor nodes, dynamically adjusting communication timing and cache content to ensure reliable data collection while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7512418B2Sensor node, base station, and sensor network system

Publication Date: 2009.03.31 MAXELL LTD

AI summary

This invention achieves lower electric power consumption of a sensor node for carrying out an intermittent operation, in a sensor net system. A time when the sensor node transmits a signal to a base station is estimated. Then, in accordance with the estimation, a table for storing a signal transmitted from the sensor node is installed in a wireless section of the base station. Consequently, a communication time between the sensor node and the base station can be made shorter. Also, a start time of a micro computer is set for RTC inside the sensor node, so the micro computer inside the sensor node can be put in the standby state.