Wireless Data Collection Sweeping for Solar Tracker Grids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial solar plants face significant challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively connecting thousands of solar trackers to a central control station due to the cumbersome and costly process of using wired networks for continuous tracking and data monitoring, especially considering the vast area coverage and varying weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing robust wireless communication methods, including data collection sweeping schemes for rectangular and circular grid topologies, random slotted, hierarchical, and repeater/collector-based systems, to enable reliable and time-constrained data transfer between a control system and solar trackers, optimizing frequency reuse and transmission paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired network is used to connect thousands of solar trackers to central control station, then data communication reliability is improved, but installation time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired network system with a wireless communication system. Solar trackers use wireless transceivers to communicate status and control data with the central control station, eliminating the need for physical cable installation across thousands of distributed devices. This substitution dramatically reduces installation time and cost while maintaining communication functionality through protocols that ensure reliable data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If wired network is used to connect thousands of solar trackers to central control station, then data communication reliability is improved, but installation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless communication is used to connect solar trackers, then installation time and cost are reduced, but data collection reliability and latency requirements become challenging to meet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoiddata collection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic data collection cycles where solar trackers transmit status information at scheduled intervals to the central control station. This periodic communication approach ensures reliable data transfer by establishing predictable transmission windows, allowing the system to meet latency requirements for operational control while maintaining wireless communication simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the central control station receives status messages from solar trackers and sends control commands back to them. This bidirectional communication with feedback loops ensures reliable data collection and control, allowing the system to monitor tracker conditions and adjust operations in real-time while maintaining wireless communication advantages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If wireless communication is used to connect solar trackers, then installation cost is reduced, but data collection latency requirements become challenging to meet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoiddata collection latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9202371B2Method for robust data collection schemes for large grid wireless networks

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

If the number of rows in a matrix of wireless devices is greater than the number of columns, then vertical sweeping is performed including passing data along each of the columns of wireless devices to an end wireless device in each column. If the number of rows is less than the number of columns, then horizontal sweeping is performed including passing data along each of the rows of wireless devices to an end wireless device in each row. If the number of rows is equal to the number of columns, then diagonal sweeping is performed including passing data diagonally across each of the rows and columns of wireless devices to an end wireless device in each row and each column. The data is passed along the end wireless devices to a final destination data collector.