Structural Electronics Sensor Node Without Transceivers or Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless sensor systems are bulky and consume high power due to the inclusion of transceivers and internal energy sources, making them unsuitable for deployment in locations requiring smaller packaging.
Innovation Solution
Structural electronics wireless sensor nodes are fabricated using patterned nanostructures embedded in electrically insulating matrices, eliminating the need for transceivers and internal energy sources by integrating electronic components directly into the structural material, allowing for compact, zero-pin designs that operate at lower power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transceivers and internal energy sources are included in wireless sensor systems, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but device size and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the transceiver and internal energy source from the sensor system, eliminating the need for bulky packaging while maintaining sensor functionality through alternative communication methods
Solution Approach 2:
The structural material serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides mechanical support, houses the sensor elements, and enables communication through the structural medium itself, eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication components
2Reliability
If transceivers and internal energy sources are included in wireless sensor systems, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but power consumption increases to 1-10 milliwatts
Solution Approach 1:
The internal energy source and transceiver are extracted from the system, eliminating the 1-10 milliwatt power consumption associated with these components and enabling operation at substantially lower power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the external structural medium to provide communication functionality, eliminating the need for dedicated high-power transceiver components and their associated energy consumption
3Reliability
If conventional sensor systems are designed with transceivers, then wireless communication is enabled, but packaging size becomes bulky and unsuitable for certain locations
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver component is removed from the sensor packaging, allowing for compact design that can be deployed in locations where smaller dimensions are required while maintaining communication through the structural medium
Data Source
AI summary
A structural electronics wireless sensor node is provided that includes layers of electronic components fabricated from patterned nanostructures embedded in an electrically conductive matrix. In some aspects, the structural electronics wireless sensor node includes a plurality of nanostructure layers that each form individual electronic components of the structural electronics wireless sensor node. In certain embodiments, the structural electronics wireless sensor node includes electronic components such as a resistor, a inductor, a capacitor, and/or an antenna.