Wireless Sensor Network Energy Management via High-Energy Node Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless sensor networks face significant energy constraints due to battery limitations and challenging deployment environments, especially as they transition into everyday life applications where energy-saving solutions are crucial.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that defines sensor nodes within a wireless sensor network as ordinary, initializing a high energy device to determine node types and calculate dormancy periods based on neighbor difference degrees, allowing forwarding nodes to work intermittently and source nodes to operate continuously, optimizing energy usage through data aggregation and transmission schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensor nodes rely on batteries for power supply, then the wireless sensor network can be deployed flexibly, but the energy of sensor nodes is extremely restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidenergy of sensor nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic working and dormancy cycles for sensor nodes. Nodes alternate between active periods (collecting and transmitting data) and dormant periods (low-power state), reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining network functionality through scheduled operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts node states between working and dormancy modes based on network needs and energy levels. The system adapts operational parameters in real-time, allowing nodes to transition flexibly between different power states to optimize energy usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If sensor nodes are deployed in hard-to-reach regions, then the network can cover specialized areas, but battery changing becomes difficult and requires large amounts of manpower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbattery changing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables sensor nodes to autonomously manage their own energy consumption through self-organized dormancy scheduling and data aggregation. Nodes automatically adjust their operational patterns without requiring external intervention for battery replacement, effectively serving themselves energy-management needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If forwarding nodes work continuously, then data transmission is uninterrupted, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidenergy consumption of forwarding nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous data transmission through coordinated multi-node operation. While individual nodes cycle between working and dormancy, the network maintains continuity by having multiple nodes take turns forwarding data, ensuring that useful action (data transmission) continues without interruption across the network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Use of energy by moving object

If source nodes work intermittently to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but real-time data transmission capability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption of source nodesVSAvoidreal-time data transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different operational patterns to different node types based on their roles in the network. Source nodes that require real-time transmission maintain continuous operation, while intermediate forwarding nodes implement dormancy cycles. This localized differentiation of operational quality optimizes energy usage without compromising real-time transmission requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9560591B2Method for saving energy for wireless sensor network

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method for saving energy for a wireless sensor network is provided, comprising: introducing a high energy device; defining a sensor node within a coverage of the high energy device as a source node or a forwarding node by the high energy device based on a routing relationship; sending sensed data to the high energy device by the source node at any time; and selecting a forwarding node at a working time to forward the data by the high energy device while making the other forwarding nodes at a dormancy time.