Slave Unit Wake-Up Control for Wireless Signal Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices used in cycle computers, such as those for bicycles, face power conservation challenges due to limited battery life, as they operate continuously without efficient power-saving mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication apparatus comprising a master unit and a slave unit, where the slave unit wakes up periodically to receive and transmit signals only when a threshold change in the detected signal is detected, and remains in a sleep mode otherwise, using a wake-up control unit to conserve power by prohibiting wake-ups if no signal change occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slave unit operates continuously to monitor and transmit detected signals, then the reliability of signal transmission is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave unit operates periodically instead of continuously. It wakes up at intervals determined by receiving beacons from the master unit, monitors detected signals during wake periods, and returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains signal transmission reliability by regularly checking for changes while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave unit autonomously determines when to wake up and when to sleep based on beacon reception and detected signal changes. The wake-up control unit automatically prohibits wake-up when no significant changes occur, eliminating the need for external control and enabling the device to self-regulate its power consumption while maintaining operational reliability.
2Speed
If the slave unit wakes up frequently to check for signal changes, then the responsiveness to signal changes is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave unit employs periodic wake-up cycles synchronized with beacon transmissions from the master unit. During each wake period, it checks for detected signal changes and transmits if changes are detected. The period duration is optimized to balance responsiveness to signal changes with power conservation, waking up frequently enough to catch changes but infrequently enough to save power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the wake-up frequency and monitoring parameters based on the detected signal state. When no significant changes are detected, the wake-up control unit prohibits unnecessary wake-ups, extending the sleep period. When changes are detected, the system increases responsiveness by waking up more frequently to monitor and transmit the changed signals.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the slave unit remains in sleep mode to conserve power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect signal changes timely deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slave unit alternates between sleep mode and active monitoring mode in periodic cycles. During sleep mode, power consumption is minimized. During active periods, triggered by beacon reception or detected signal changes, the unit wakes up to monitor and transmit signals. This periodic alternation ensures that the unit conserves power during sleep while maintaining timely detection capability during active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave unit performs preliminary monitoring of detected signals during wake periods before entering sleep mode. The wake-up control unit anticipates potential signal changes by maintaining readiness to wake up when beacons are received, even if no immediate changes are detected. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the unit does wake up, it can immediately detect and respond to signal changes without significant delay.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A wireless communication apparatus including a master unit and a slave unit. The master unit includes a transmitter configured to transmit a beacon periodically and a receiver. A detector is provided that is configured to output a detected signal and the slave unit is configured to receive the detected signal from the detector. The slave unit includes a receiver configured to receive the beacon periodically at a receiving timing determined based on the beacon, and a transmitter configured to transmit the detected signal to the master unit receiver at a transmitting timing determined based on the beacon if a value of the detected signal changes by a threshold amount.