Wireless Sensor Interface for Asset Tracking via Satellite Modem

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional asset tracking systems face significant costs and technical challenges in connecting mobile terminals to sensors affixed to assets, particularly due to the need for extensive cable connections, which increase deployment expenses and raise weatherproofing and insulation issues.

Innovation Solution

A wireless sensor interface with a mobile terminal and satellite modem that enables low-power, low-cost two-way communication between sensors and a mobile terminal, using a master-slave configuration with independently addressable wireless devices that conserve power and reduce costs by minimizing cable connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cable connections are used to connect sensors to mobile terminals, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but deployment costs and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with wireless communication technology. Sensors transmit data wirelessly to mobile terminals using radio frequency communication, eliminating the need for physical cable infrastructure while maintaining data transmission reliability through protocol-level error handling and retransmission mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication protocols and signal processing intermediaries between sensors and mobile terminals. These intermediaries manage data transmission without physical connections, handling tasks such as signal modulation, error correction, and data packetization to ensure reliable communication without cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive cable connections are deployed to connect sensors, then sensor data can be collected, but deployment expenses and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor deployment flexibilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical cable installation by using wireless communication. Sensors can be deployed anywhere within wireless range of mobile terminals without requiring cable routing through walls, windows, or difficult-to-reach areas, dramatically reducing installation labor and material costs while increasing deployment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data transmission function into independent wireless communication modules at both sensor and terminal ends. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently without physical interconnection, enabling modular deployment where sensors and terminals can be installed separately and connected through wireless protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If continuous power is supplied to sensors and mobile terminals, then uninterrupted monitoring is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring continuityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling and transmission of sensor data instead of continuous monitoring. Sensors collect data at predetermined intervals and transmit only when changes exceed thresholds or at scheduled times. Mobile terminals wake from low-power states periodically to receive and process data, then return to sleep mode, maintaining monitoring reliability while dramatically reducing average power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where mobile terminals send acknowledgment signals to sensors confirming successful data reception. This allows sensors to enter low-power states with confidence that data was received, and enables dynamic adjustment of sampling rates based on data importance and battery status, optimizing the balance between monitoring continuity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The wireless interface reduces deployment costs and power consumption while maintaining effective communication of sensor data and position information, addressing the technical and economic challenges of connecting sensors to mobile terminals in asset tracking systems.

Implementation Method 1

the mobile terminal can generate position information through the reception of satellite position signals such as that generated by the GPS satellite network

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Data Source

PatentUS8284629B2Wireless sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 SKYBITZ INC

AI summary

A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.