Utility Sensor Reconnection via Periodic Orphan Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connected utility sensors may become orphaned due to failure to establish or maintain communication with intermediate devices, leading to data loss and increased maintenance costs without manual verification.
Innovation Solution
A utility sensor module broadcasts an advertisement signal and enters a modified sleep mode if no response is received within a predetermined time, periodically resuming transmission to conserve energy and facilitate reconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor module continuously broadcasts advertisement signals to ensure communication, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module implements periodic broadcasting of advertisement signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuous broadcasting. This periodic action maintains communication reliability by periodically checking for connections while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the broadcasting behavior based on communication state. When no response is received within a predetermined time, the sensor module modifies its operation to enter sleep mode with periodic broadcasting, adapting the communication strategy to balance reliability and energy efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor module enters sleep mode to conserve energy, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to discover orphaned sensors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module uses periodic broadcasting during sleep mode to maintain periodic communication attempts without continuous energy consumption. This allows the system to discover orphaned sensors through intermittent advertisement signals while conserving energy compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the sensor module monitors for response messages within predetermined time periods. When no response is detected, the module adjusts its broadcasting behavior, creating a feedback loop that balances energy conservation with orphaned sensor discovery capability.
3Measurement precision
If manual verification is used to detect orphaned sensors, then the accuracy of detection is improved, but the time required for maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module performs self-verification by broadcasting advertisement signals and monitoring for responses autonomously. This self-service capability allows the system to detect orphaned sensors without manual intervention, maintaining detection accuracy while significantly reducing maintenance time and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from response messages to automatically determine communication status. When no response is received within predetermined time, the sensor module autonomously identifies itself as orphaned and can report this status, eliminating the need for manual verification and reducing maintenance time.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility sensor module includes one or more sensors, a communication link, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to broadcast an advertisement signal associated with a communication protocol for a first transmission time. The advertisement signal is configured to cause an external device to transmit a response message. The electronic processor is further configured to determine whether the response message is received within a predetermined time period, and in response to determining that the response message was not received within the predetermined time period, operating in a modified sleep mode. Operating in the modified sleep mode includes modifying the operation of the communication interface to broadcast the advertisement signal at a periodic interval, such that the advertisement signal is only broadcast at the periodic interval for a second transmission time.