Wireless Solar Tracker Sweeping for Reliable Plant Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial solar plants face significant challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively controlling and monitoring thousands of solar trackers due to the cumbersome and costly process of connecting them via wired networks, which is time-consuming and requires extensive wiring.
Innovation Solution
Implementing robust wireless communication methods, including data collection sweeping schemes for rectangular and circular grid topologies, random slotted, hierarchical, and repeaters/collectors schemes, to enable reliable and time-constrained data transfer between a control system and solar trackers, optimizing frequency reuse and transmission paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired networks are used to connect trackers to the control station, then communication reliability is improved, but installation cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with a wireless communication system. Trackers communicate with the central control station via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining communication functionality. This substitution directly addresses the contradiction by removing the installation complexity of wired networks while preserving communication reliability through robust wireless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary medium between trackers and the control station. Instead of direct physical connections, wireless signals serve as the mediator to transmit data and commands, thereby eliminating the need for extensive wiring infrastructure while maintaining reliable communication channels.
2Device complexity
If wireless communication is implemented, then installation cost and time are reduced, but communication reliability and latency performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication system into multiple components including time slot allocation, frequency channel assignment, and hierarchical data collection protocols. By dividing the communication process into structured segments, the system achieves reliable data transmission while maintaining the installation advantages of wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic communication cycles with defined time slots for data transmission and acknowledgment. This periodic structure ensures that critical data is transmitted reliably within specific time windows, addressing latency and reliability concerns while preserving the simplicity of wireless deployment.
3Loss of information
If thousands of trackers are connected via wired networks, then data collection completeness is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless communication protocol that enables all trackers to transmit data using the same communication interface. This multi-functional approach allows complete data collection from thousands of trackers without requiring individual wired connections, thereby maintaining data completeness while dramatically reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple data collection functions into a unified wireless communication framework. Instead of separate wired connections for each tracker, the system combines all data transmission through a common wireless infrastructure, achieving comprehensive data collection with minimal installation overhead.
4Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication protocols are simplified, then ease of implementation is improved, but data transfer reliability and latency performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts communication parameters such as transmission power, data rate, and error correction codes to optimize the balance between implementation simplicity and reliability. By carefully selecting and tuning these parameters, the system achieves robust data transfer using relatively simple wireless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control station monitors communication quality and adjusts transmission parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures reliable data transfer by dynamically adapting to changing conditions while maintaining straightforward protocol implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of wireless communication includes providing a matrix of trackers. The matrix includes rows and columns of trackers. A number of rows and a number of columns in the matrix is determined. If the number of rows is substantially greater than the number of columns, then vertical sweeping is performed including passing data along each of the columns of trackers to an end tracker in each column. If the number of rows is substantially less than the number of columns, then horizontal sweeping is performed including passing data along each of the rows of trackers to an end tracker in each row. If the number of rows is substantially equal to the number of columns, then diagonal sweeping is performed including passing data diagonally across each of the rows and columns of trackers to an end tracker in each row and each column. The data is passed along the end trackers to a final destination data collector.