Wake-on-Radio Node Switching for Energy-Efficient Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting consumption data from decentralized data acquisition devices to a master network node are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and lack flexibility, particularly in battery-operated networks, due to high transmission volume and fixed time specifications.

Innovation Solution

The method employs a wake-on-radio concept where network nodes switch from a power-saving mode to a receiving mode at specific intervals to listen for consumption data, allowing bidirectional communication with frequency and data rate adjustments, enabling dynamic path adjustment and quasi-permanent readiness for data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If consumption data is transmitted using fixed time specifications and undirected addressing in an interstation network, then data redundancy and availability are improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic wake-up intervals where network nodes alternately sleep and wake to receive data, replacing continuous operation. Each node wakes up at predetermined intervals to check for data transmissions, then returns to sleep mode, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining data availability through periodic monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The master node transmits wake-up calls before actual data transmission to activate receiving nodes only when needed. This preliminary activation ensures nodes are ready to receive data when the master has information to send, avoiding continuous listening and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable data delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If network nodes continuously monitor for data transmissions, then data transmission readiness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission readinessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Network nodes switch between sleep mode and active receiving mode at predetermined intervals. During sleep mode, consumption is minimized; during active intervals, nodes monitor for wake-up calls and data transmissions. This periodic cycling maintains transmission readiness when needed while dramatically reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Each network node autonomously manages its own sleep-wake cycles based on predetermined intervals and wake-up calls from the master node, without requiring continuous external control. This self-service approach enables nodes to independently balance readiness and energy consumption by activating only when wake-up signals are received.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional communication with frequency and data rate adjustments is implemented, then communication flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frequency and data rate adjustments based on communication conditions. The master node and network nodes can switch between different frequency bands and modulation schemes adaptively, optimizing communication performance for varying channel conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized protocols and pre-defined parameter sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2560345B1Method and device assembly for transferring consumption data from decentralised data recording devices
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 METRONA WARMEMESSER UNION
  • EP2560345B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2560345B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The method for transmitting consumption data of locally arranged data acquisition device to a master-node (12) by a network of nodes, involves switching a receiving unit of a node (10) at certain intervals by a power saving mode in a receive mode. The communication between the nodes is based partially or temporarily on a wake-on-radio concept during transmission of the consumption data. The receiving unit is carried out for a certain time on a certain radio channel in the receive mode. An independent claim is included for a device for transmitting consumption data of locally arranged data acquisition device to a master-node by a network of nodes.