Underground Sensor Network Using Inductive RF Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collecting data from remote locations, such as underground sites, is challenging due to communication signal availability and attenuation, making it difficult to access and maintain sensors for soil monitoring in agricultural, oil, and gas applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensor network system using low-frequency radio communication and inductive charging, allowing sensors to be placed underground without wired connections, with a central transceiver capable of addressing and powering individual sensors to transmit data back to a central location, utilizing ground-penetrating radar for location detection and programmable drones or vehicles for scanning and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed underground in remote locations for soil monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but communication signal availability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless RF communication and inductive power transfer. Sensors communicate data and receive power through electromagnetic fields that penetrate soil, eliminating the need for physical access to underground sensor locations for maintenance or data retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses RF signals as an intermediary to transfer both power and data through the soil medium. The transceiver system acts as an intermediary that can energize sensors underground and receive their readings without direct physical contact, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless sensors are used in remote locations, then ease of installation is improved, but power supply availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wired power delivery with inductive power transfer through RF electromagnetic fields. The transceiver system can wirelessly energize sensors underground through the soil, maintaining sensor operation without physical power connections and preserving deployment simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors are designed to harvest power from the RF signals transmitted by the system. The same RF communication signals that carry data also provide power to the sensors, allowing them to operate autonomously without external power infrastructure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If low-frequency radio signals are used for communication, then signal penetration capability is improved, but communication speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes low-frequency RF signals (e.g., 13.56 MHz) that have superior soil penetration capabilities compared to higher frequencies. While lower frequencies inherently provide slower data rates, the system compensates by optimizing the communication protocol and using efficient modulation schemes to achieve adequate throughput for soil monitoring applications.
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
Enables stable, long-term soil monitoring without disturbing the sensors, allowing for accurate collection and transmission of data on soil characteristics like temperature, moisture, and pH levels, even in hard-to-reach areas, with the ability to penetrate deeply underground and withstand surface machinery.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor query signal energizes a first power supply for the first sensor
Implementation Method 2
A sensor network system using low-frequency radio communication and inductive charging, allowing sensors to be placed underground without wired connections
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention include using a controller to control a transceiver to transmit a sensor query signal to a first sensor at a first location of one or more locations having one or more sensors, wherein the sensor query signal energizes a first power supply for the first sensor, wherein energizing the power supply causes the first sensor to perform a sensor reading at the first location and transmit to the transceiver an encoded response signal representing the sensor reading, and analyzing, using the controller, the encoded response signal to determine the sensor reading at the first location.