Wireless Sensor Network Debugger Server Node

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale wireless sensor networks are difficult to debug efficiently due to the inaccessibility of nodes and the need for additional hardware like debuggers or programmers, which is impractical for hundreds of nodes and can lead to systemic errors and lengthy firmware/software upgrades.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for debugging wireless sensor networks that initiates a single debugging session across multiple nodes, receives and presents network topology information, and allows for remote software upgrades without additional hardware, using a server node and client nodes configured to support wireless debugging and Over-the-Air upgrades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional hardware like debugger or programmer is attached to each node, then node debugging capability is improved, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenode debugging capabilityVSAvoidhardware deployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the debugging functionality through a server node that communicates with client nodes via wireless medium. Instead of physically attaching debuggers to each node, the system uses software-based communication to replicate debugging capabilities remotely, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining debugging reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The server node acts as an intermediary between the debugging system and multiple client nodes. It receives topology information from nodes, maintains debugging sessions, and facilitates communication without requiring direct physical connection to each node, thus simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If physical access to each node is required for debugging, then direct node inspection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to node inaccessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenode inspection accuracyVSAvoidnode accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically attaching debuggers to nodes with a wireless communication-based system. The server node communicates with client nodes through radio frequency signals, eliminating the need for physical access while maintaining the ability to inspect node states, execute code, and retrieve debugging information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If separate debugging sessions are established for each node, then individual node debugging is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual node debuggingVSAvoiddebugging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual debugging sessions into a single unified debugging session that simultaneously manages multiple client nodes. The server node maintains one debugging session that can communicate with multiple nodes through the wireless medium, enabling parallel debugging operations across the entire network and significantly improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If hardware debugger is used for firmware upgrade, then upgrade reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy upgrade process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware upgrade reliabilityVSAvoidupgrade duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical hardware-based firmware upgrading with wireless over-the-air updates. The server node transmits firmware images to client nodes through the wireless medium, eliminating the need for physical connection and significantly reducing upgrade time while maintaining reliability through structured update protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables preliminary preparation of firmware images and update protocols on the server node before actual deployment. The server can manage update scheduling, verify firmware integrity, and coordinate simultaneous updates across multiple nodes, thereby reducing overall upgrade time while ensuring reliable deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10432500B2Debugger for wireless sensor networks

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 ATMEL CORP

AI summary

In an embodiment, a method of debugging a wireless sensor network comprises: initiating, by a server node over a wireless medium, a single debugging session with a plurality of nodes of the wireless sensor network; receiving, by the server node over the wireless medium, network topology information from the nodes; and presenting, by a display device coupled to the server node, a network topology view constructed from the topology information, the network topology view including a graphical representation of each node in the topology.