Supervisory Sensor Network Architecture for M2M Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configuration of sensors in cellular networks, where each sensor is always connected and 'on', leads to resource consumption and power drain, making it costly and inefficient, especially for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.
Innovation Solution
A network architecture where a supervisory sensor manages multiple non-supervisory sensors, allowing the non-supervisory sensors to be in an inactive state most of the time, with the supervisory sensor switching between active and inactive states based on criteria like time, location, or network congestion, reducing unnecessary communication and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each sensor is always connected and 'on' in cellular networks, then sensor functionality and data collection are maintained, but resource consumption and power drain increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple non-supervisory sensors are merged under a single supervisory sensor that handles all network communications. The supervisory sensor consolidates data from multiple sensors and communicates with the network on behalf of the entire group, allowing individual sensors to remain inactive while maintaining collective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The supervisory sensor acts as an intermediary between the non-supervisory sensors and the cellular network. It receives commands from the network, relays them to appropriate sensors, collects data from sensors, and transmits it to the network, eliminating the need for each sensor to maintain constant network connectivity.
2Speed
If each sensor maintains constant network connection, then real-time data transmission is enabled, but signaling resources and network capacity are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors share a single network connection through the supervisory sensor. Instead of each sensor maintaining separate constant connections, they combine their communication needs through one supervisory device, reducing total signaling overhead while maintaining data collection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from continuous connection to periodic communication. The supervisory sensor activates only when needed to transmit collected data or receive commands, entering inactive states between communications to conserve resources while maintaining functionality.
3Ease of operation
If sensors are always active and connected, then immediate response to network commands is possible, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory sensor consolidates network configuration and management functions for multiple sensors. Instead of each sensor requiring individual network configuration and authentication, the supervisory sensor handles all network interactions, simplifying the overall system configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A network includes a supervisory sensor in communication with a wireless network and a non-supervisory sensor in communication with the supervisory sensor, wherein the non-supervisory sensor communicates with the wireless network through the supervisory sensor. The supervisory sensor may be configured to receive downloads from a server communicating through the wireless network and to collect data from the non-supervisory sensor. The supervisory sensor may be configured to transmit the collected data to a server on the wireless network. Moreover, the non-supervisory sensor and the supervisory sensor each have an active state and an inactive state and wherein the supervisory sensor may be in the active state while the non-supervisory sensor is in the inactive state.