Communication Module for Multi-Sensor Temporal Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for personal performance monitoring, such as those using EMG sensors during sports, face challenges in efficiently communicating data from multiple sensors to a central monitoring unit, particularly in maintaining temporal relationships between signals and requiring dedicated transmitter modules for each sensor type, which limits flexibility and practicality.
Innovation Solution
A communication module that processes and transmits sensor data with embedded time stamps, allowing for chronological ordering of data messages across multiple sensors, using a time slot-based wireless communication protocol to synchronize and coordinate signals from various sensors, enabling robust and efficient data transfer without the need for extensive wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated transmitter modules are used for each sensor type, then sensor signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transmitter module that can handle multiple sensor types (EMG, ECG, accelerometers, gyroscopes) through a single device. The module uses standardized wireless communication protocols and configurable signal processing capabilities to adapt to different sensor inputs, eliminating the need for dedicated transmitter modules for each sensor type while maintaining transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter module is divided into functional segments including signal reception interface, processing unit, wireless communication unit, and power management. Each segment can be independently configured to handle different sensor types, allowing the same physical module to serve multiple functions through software configuration rather than requiring separate hardware modules
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for transmitting sensor data, then ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but loss of information regarding temporal relationships deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system embeds time stamps into sensor data packets before wireless transmission. The processing unit records the exact time when each sensor signal is captured and attaches this temporal information to the data packet, ensuring that temporal relationships are preserved throughout the wireless communication process and can be accurately reconstructed at the receiving end
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized data packet structure as an intermediary format that carries both sensor data and embedded time stamp information. This structured packet format serves as a mediator between the wireless transmission protocol and the temporal relationship requirements, ensuring that time information is systematically preserved during wireless communication
3Device complexity
If multiple sensors are connected to a single module, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different sensor types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter module employs dynamic configuration capabilities where the processing unit can adapt its signal processing parameters, sampling rates, and communication protocols based on the type of sensor connected. The module dynamically switches between different operational modes to optimize performance for EMG, ECG, accelerometer, or gyroscope inputs, maintaining high adaptability while using a single physical device
4Reliability
If time slot-based communication protocol is used, then synchronization of multiple sensors is improved, but productivity in terms of data transmission speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a time slot-based communication protocol where different sensors transmit data in periodically allocated time slots. This periodic structure ensures synchronized transmission from multiple sensors without collisions, while the processing unit efficiently packs multiple sensor readings into each time slot to maximize data throughput within the periodic framework
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication module, monitoring unit and method of monitoring a physical performance. The module has a receiving unit, processing unit and wireless communications unit. With these units the module continuously receives sensor signals from a sensor connected to the communication module, processes the sensor signals to form a plurality of successive data messages containing data at least partly derived from the sensor signals, and transmits the formed data messages to an external wireless receiver device at a plurality of successive transmission time slots using a wireless communication protocol. The processing unit is adapted to add information to the data messages regarding the difference between first time points based on predefined characteristics of the sensor signals and second times points corresponding to transmission slots. The invention allows for relating the individual signals temporally with each other for better overall analysis of the performance.