Wireless Sensor Interface for Scalable Demand-Response Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high installation and maintenance costs of wireless sensor networks limit their penetration in the marketplace due to the need for custom solutions tailored to specific applications, making it difficult to achieve scalability and flexibility in sensor deployments without significant redesign or redeployment.
Innovation Solution
A plug-and-play universal sensor interface allows sensor module units to be easily connected to wireless nodes, enabling flexible and scalable sensor network configurations without requiring extensive reconfiguration of the existing infrastructure, thus reducing costs and enabling seamless adaptation to changing sensor application objectives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless sensor networks are customized for specific applications, then application-specific performance is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensor interface that can accommodate multiple sensor types through a standardized connection mechanism. The interface includes a standardized connector, mounting structure, and electrical connection system that works with various sensor modules, eliminating the need for custom installation for each sensor type while maintaining application-specific performance through software configuration
2Reliability
If wireless sensor networks are customized for specific applications, then application-specific performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor network system into modular components: standardized interface hardware, sensor modules, and software configuration layers. This segmentation allows the physical infrastructure to remain simple and universal while application-specific functionality is achieved through software modules, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The universal interface design consolidates multiple connection types into a single standardized mechanism, reducing the variety of hardware components needed while maintaining support for different sensor types through software configuration
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensor networks are redeployed for changing applications, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized interface allows sensor modules to be easily connected and disconnected without reconfiguring the underlying infrastructure. This enables rapid redeployment for different applications by simply changing the sensor modules or software configuration rather than redesigning the entire network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes the universal interface infrastructure in advance, so that when application changes are needed, only the sensor modules or software need to be changed rather than the entire physical network, significantly reducing redeployment time
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless sensor network at a monitored location can be configured to generate sensor channel(s) of data to assess operational conditions at the monitored location. Inputs based on the sensor channel(s) of data are provided to a host system for analysis of a demand to one or more resources at the monitored location. Response messages can be generated based on the demand analysis and transmitted to actuator(s) at the monitored location to effect an adjustment to the operational conditions.