TDR Sensor Protocol for Power and Form Factor Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT sensors require a transmitter and drivers/receivers for data transmission, leading to increased power consumption and form factor, especially in wired uni-directional or bi-directional signaling systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing time-domain reflectometry (TDR) with programmable resistors on the controller, allowing sensors to transmit data without a transmitter, by analyzing impedance changes in the reflected TDR signal to determine sensor values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensors use traditional transmitters and drivers/receivers for data transmission, then data communication capability is improved, but power consumption and form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transmitter functionality from the sensor and relocates it to the controller. The sensor now only needs to modulate its impedance to encode data, while the controller handles the complex TDR signal generation and reception, significantly reducing the sensor's power consumption and form factor while maintaining full data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces TDR (time-domain reflectometry) as an intermediary mechanism for data transmission. Instead of direct electrical signaling between sensor and controller, the system uses impedance modulation detected through TDR waves, enabling efficient communication with minimal sensor-side electronics
2Ease of operation
If sensors use traditional transmitters and drivers/receivers for data transmission, then data communication capability is improved, but sensor form factor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transmitter and receiver components from the sensor assembly and consolidates them in the controller. This leaves the sensor as a minimal component that only requires impedance modulation capability, dramatically reducing its form factor while preserving bidirectional communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it generates TDR signals, receives and decodes impedance-modulated data from sensors, and manages the communication protocol. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated transmitter/receiver hardware in each sensor, reducing overall system complexity and sensor form factor
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces power consumption and form factor of sensors by eliminating the need for transmitters, while enabling efficient data transmission through TDR logic on the controller.
Implementation Method 1
A primary device transmits a TDR signal to a first sensor. A reflected signal is received in response to the transmitted TDR signal. The reflected signal is analyzed to determine an impedance of the first sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for collecting sensor data using time-domain reflectometry (TDR). A primary device transmits a TDR signal to a first sensor. A reflected signal is received in response to the transmitted TDR signal. The reflected signal is analyzed to determine an impedance of the first sensor. Based on the impedance of the first sensor, a sensor value for the first sensor is determined.