Wireless Sensor Power Management for Low Energy IoT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless sensor devices with 'always-on' or 'always listening' capabilities continuously drain battery power or require an electrical outlet due to maintaining network connections independently of sensor data availability.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management system in wireless sensor devices that transitions from a low power consumption mode to a higher power mode only when sensor data indicates a need for network communication, using a power manager coupled with signal processing circuitry and Bluetooth circuitry to establish connections efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless sensor devices maintain continuous network connections to provide always-on functionality, then the device availability and responsiveness are improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by evaluating sensor data before initiating network connections. The power manager continuously monitors sensor data in low-power mode and only activates network resources when predetermined conditions are met, avoiding continuous connection maintenance while ensuring timely response when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between different power modes based on real-time sensor data evaluation. The power manager adjusts the operational state of network resources from low-power mode to active connection mode dynamically, allowing the device to adapt its power consumption level to actual communication needs while maintaining availability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If wireless sensor devices establish network connections frequently to transmit sensor data, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to repeated connection establishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the power manager continuously evaluates sensor data and uses this information to control network resource activation. This feedback loop ensures that network connections are established only when sensor data indicates actual communication needs, optimizing the balance between data transmission capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by transitioning between different power modes and connection states based on sensor data evaluation. The power manager adjusts parameters such as network resource activation state, connection establishment timing, and power mode levels to optimize both data transmission capability and power consumption efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10797744B2System and methods for low power consumption by a wireless sensor device

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AMERICAS CORP

AI summary

An example system and method operate a wireless device in a first mode with power to operate a communication resource of the wireless device turned off. While operating the wireless device in the first mode, the system and method evaluates an attribute in a first portion of sensor data. Responsive to the evaluation of the attribute, the system and method transitions to the wireless device to operate in a second mode with power to operate the communication resource turned on. The system and method use the communication resource to establish a wireless connection and communicate packets via the wireless connection.