Trailing Pointer Calculation for Low-Power Process Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In modern process measurement technology, there is a trade-off between high measurement accuracy and low energy consumption, particularly in standalone, wireless measuring devices, where frequent measurements increase energy consumption but infrequent measurements lead to inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A trailing pointer is used in a measuring device-external display and evaluation unit to calculate process measurement variables by approximating past temporal developments and comparing them with current values, transmitting data only when deviations exceed a threshold, thereby reducing unnecessary transmissions and conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequent measurements are performed to increase measurement accuracy, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing pointer calculates and stores past temporal developments of process variables in advance. This preliminary calculation allows the system to predict current values without performing new measurements, thereby reducing the frequency of actual measurements and associated energy consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously measuring and transmitting actual process values, the system creates a copied representation (trailing pointer) that approximates the temporal development based on historical data. This copy suffices for display purposes, eliminating the need for frequent actual measurements and reducing energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If measurement data is transmitted frequently to external devices, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing pointer pre-calculates and stores the temporal development of process variables locally in the measuring device. This preliminary action allows the external display device to receive and show updated values without requiring frequent data transmission, thus reducing communication energy consumption while maintaining accurate representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailing pointer acts as an intermediary that resides locally in the measuring device, generating approximate current values from stored historical data. This intermediary eliminates the need for frequent direct communication between the measuring device and external display, reducing transmission energy while maintaining data accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Drag pointer, set up for calculating a process measurement variable, comprising a computing unit for approximately calculating a past temporal development of the value of the process measurement variable from process measurement data of a measuring device, as well as for calculating the current value of the process measurement variable from the past temporal development.