Wireless Sensor Gateway Architecture for Heterogeneous Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial sensor systems face integration challenges due to heterogeneity and the need for specific communication technologies, exacerbated by continuous ICT infrastructure changes, leading to increased integration efforts and potential impossibility of integration.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing master and slave sensors connected via wireless networks, including LTE/5G, edge gateways, and cloud instances, enabling flexible communication and data processing, supporting heterogeneous and homogeneous sensor environments with integrated security services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific communication technologies are used for each sensor type, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication architecture where a single communication protocol and gateway infrastructure can handle multiple sensor types and industrial communication standards (Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT, HTTP). This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain reliable communication across heterogeneous sensors without requiring separate dedicated communication paths for each sensor type, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication gateways as intermediary devices that translate between various industrial communication protocols and the unified cloud platform interface. These gateways act as mediators that handle protocol conversion, data normalization, and communication management, allowing sensors with different communication requirements to integrate seamlessly into a single system without increasing end-to-end complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If product-specific communication gateways are used for each sensor group, then communication compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple product-specific gateway functions into a single unified cloud-based communication platform. Instead of deploying separate gateways for different sensor types, the system merges all communication protocols (Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT, HTTP) into one centralized service that handles all sensor communications through standardized interfaces, thereby maintaining protocol compatibility while reducing the number of discrete gateway devices required.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified cloud communication platform performs multiple gateway functions simultaneously - it acts as an OPC UA server, MQTT broker, HTTP endpoint, and Modbus translator all in one system. This multi-functional universal gateway eliminates the need for multiple specialized gateways, reducing device complexity while maintaining full compatibility with diverse sensor communication protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous ICT infrastructure changes are accommodated, then system adaptability is improved, but integration effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic communication platform that can automatically adapt to changing ICT infrastructure requirements. The cloud-based architecture allows real-time updates of communication protocols, data formats, and integration methods without requiring physical reconfiguration or redeployment of sensors. The system dynamically adjusts its communication behavior based on current infrastructure capabilities, maintaining adaptability while minimizing manual integration effort through automated configuration and self-adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor system (10), comprising: - one or more master sensors (20); - a plurality of slave sensors (30); and - one or more servers (40); wherein, the one or more master sensors are configured to wirelessly send data to the plurality of slave sensors; wherein, the plurality of slave sensors are configured to acquire environmental and/or industrial process data based on associated configurations of the plurality of slave sensors; wherein, the plurality of slave sensors are configured to wirelessly send the environmental and/or industrial process data to the one or more master sensors; and wherein, the one or more master sensors are configured to send the environmental and/or industrial process data to at least one of the one or more servers over a wireless network (50).