Sensor Node Metadata Management for Network Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor networks face challenges in efficiently managing and transmitting sensor data and contextual information, particularly in large-scale deployments where power constraints and limited addressing schemes hinder effective communication and data utilization.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a receiver and transmitter apparatus in sensor nodes that can request and transmit metadata to a gateway node, enabling the derivation and transmission of contextual sensor data, which enhances data usability by incorporating location, time, and other metadata, and allows for end-to-end connections with correspondent nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If sensor nodes transmit raw sensor data continuously, then data availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary metadata fields (such as location, time, sensor identification) from the complete sensor data package, transmitting only this extracted metadata rather than the full raw data. This selective extraction reduces the volume of transmitted information while maintaining essential contextual value, thereby lowering power consumption while preserving data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits partial sensor information (metadata) rather than complete raw data streams. By sending only the essential contextual attributes needed for data interpretation rather than excessive complete datasets, the system achieves adequate information availability with reduced communication overhead and power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metadata is included with sensor data, then data usability is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by including metadata only where and when it is needed for specific sensor data contexts. Rather than uniformly adding comprehensive metadata to all sensor transmissions, the system selectively incorporates contextual information (such as location or time) based on the specific sensor type, application requirements, and data importance, thereby improving usability without excessive overhead.
3Productivity
If direct end-to-end connections are established with sensor nodes, then communication efficiency is improved, but addressing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway node as an intermediary between correspondent nodes and sensor nodes. The gateway manages the addressing and routing complexity, allowing correspondent nodes to communicate efficiently with sensor nodes without directly handling the complex addressing schemes. The gateway translates and manages addresses, enabling direct end-to-end communication paths while shielding upper layers from addressing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising a receiver configured to receive sensor data, a transmitter configured to cause the sensor data, or data derived at least in part from the sensor data, to be transmitted, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a metadata request to a first node. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a sensor node for inclusion in a sensor network, the sensor node capable of measuring at least one physical property to produce the sensor data.