USB Hosted Sensor Module for Data Center Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cooling systems face high costs and complexity due to extensive wiring for temperature measurement, and existing indoor location technologies struggle in aggressive data center environments with multiple RF pathways and noise issues, hindering widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A USB hosted sensor module that utilizes existing USB slots for power and communication, equipped with environmental sensors and multiple communication channels (USB, RF, and optical) to autonomously monitor and locate assets within data centers, reducing deployment costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive overlay sensor array or wired chains of discrete temperature systems are used, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but deployment cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module utilizes the USB port's multiple functions (power supply, data communication, and device identification) to eliminate the need for separate wiring for temperature measurement. The host device's USB interface serves universal purposes, allowing the sensor module to obtain power and transmit data through the same connection, thereby reducing deployment complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If RF signal strength measurement is used for asset location, then location capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates in aggressive data center environments with multiple RF pathways and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary medium for asset location. Instead of relying on RF signals that are susceptible to interference from metallic surfaces and multiple pathways in data centers, the system uses optical signals (visible light) as a cleaner intermediary that can be modulated to carry location information without being affected by the same electromagnetic interference, thereby improving reliability.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If carrier-less RF systems or combined RF and acoustic ranging techniques are used, then location capability is improved, but noise related issues and engineering complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF-based location systems with an optical-based system using visible light for communication and location tracking. This substitution eliminates the noise-related issues inherent in RF environments, as optical signals are not subject to the same electromagnetic interference from metallic surfaces, power equipment, and multiple RF pathways that plague data center environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A USB hosted sensor module, comprising: a substrate; a sensor mounted on the substrate; and a USB connector extending from the substrate, the USB connector capable of electrically coupling to a USB port of a host device, the USB connector capable of drawing power from the USB port of the host device to provide electrical power to the USB hosted sensor module; and a processing device mounted on the substrate, the processor capable of supporting a first communication channel and a second communication channel, wherein the first communication channel is between the USB hosted sensor module and an external communication device, wherein the second communication channel is between the USB hosted sensor module and the host device.