Wireless Fire Detection Using TDMA Mesh Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless fire monitoring systems face challenges with high installation and maintenance costs, bandwidth limitations, and inability to support voice evacuation due to standard wireless protocols like CSMA/CA, which are inefficient for battery-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
A wireless fire detection monitoring system utilizing a time division multiple access (TDMA) mesh communication protocol over open standard high data rate wireless devices, with IEEE 802.11 compliance, for deterministic performance and reduced power consumption, allowing for efficient data aggregation and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard wireless protocols like CSMA/CA are used, then device compatibility and ease of manufacture are improved, but deterministic performance and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network into master devices and child devices with assigned time slots, implementing TDMA protocol to divide channel access into deterministic segments. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing structured, predictable communication patterns while maintaining standard wireless hardware compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time slot assignment and clock synchronization mechanisms that adapt to network conditions. Master devices dynamically allocate time slots to child devices based on data generation patterns, providing deterministic performance while maintaining flexibility for different device types and communication scenarios.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low data rate protocols are used, then battery power consumption is reduced, but bandwidth capacity and detection latency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time slots for data transmission where child devices wake up at predetermined intervals to send data to master devices. This periodic action allows battery-powered devices to remain in low-power sleep mode between transmissions, reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate bandwidth capacity through efficient time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous network operation by implementing overlapping time slots and mesh networking capabilities. When one device is transmitting or sleeping, other devices continue to monitor and transmit, maintaining continuous useful action across the network without requiring all devices to operate at high power simultaneously.
3Reliability
If wired medium is used, then system reliability is improved, but installation cost and maintenance complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless TDMA-based communication system. By substituting physical cable infrastructure with structured wireless time-division protocols, the system maintains reliable communication while eliminating installation complexity associated with wiring, especially in existing buildings or hard-to-reach locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal wireless platform that can support multiple device types (smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, emergency communication devices) and communication patterns (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one) through a single TDMA protocol implementation, replacing the need for different wired configurations for different device types.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing wireless fire systems are used, then installation cost is reduced, but adaptability for remodeling and expansion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mesh networking capabilities where devices can dynamically join, leave, or relocate in the network. The TDMA protocol allows flexible reconfiguration of time slots and routing paths, enabling easy adaptation to remodeling scenarios or network expansion without requiring complete system replacement or complex re-wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces master devices as intermediaries that coordinate communication between child devices and the central control panel. This intermediary layer provides flexibility for network reconfiguration, as master devices can dynamically adjust time slot allocations and routing to accommodate new devices or changing spatial arrangements without affecting overall system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless fire detection monitoring system comprises a control unit which includes a wireless transceiver and control software to implement a wireless multi-hop communications protocol. A network of battery powered monitoring devices is provided for monitoring alarm conditions. Each monitoring device includes software to implement the wireless communication protocol with one of, the control unit and at least one other child member of the plurality, or, at least two other members of the plurality where a selected device communicates with at least one child device and at least one parent device. The wireless multi-hop communications protocol comprises a time division multiple access communications protocol with the monitoring devices being time synchronized and the control unit and the monitoring devices are adapted to communicate compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard.