Wireless Sensor Network Battery Monitoring and Adaptive Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless sensor networks face challenges in efficiently managing energy consumption, particularly in battery-powered sensors deployed in areas with limited access to electrical power, leading to frequent battery replacements and network inefficiencies due to RF noise and interference.

Innovation Solution

A wireless network system that includes nodes, gateways, coordinators, and boosters, which optimize energy use by redirecting signals, balancing load, and adding boosters to maintain network connectivity while minimizing energy consumption, using techniques such as load balancing, re-routing messages, and predicting battery life based on internal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network uses battery-powered sensors to operate in remote areas, then the network can be deployed in locations without electrical power, but the battery life is limited and requires frequent replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors battery voltage, current, and temperature of each sensor node, using this feedback to dynamically adjust transmission power, sampling rates, and routing decisions to extend battery life while maintaining network functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network dynamically adapts its operation mode based on battery status, transitioning between different power levels, sampling frequencies, and communication protocols to optimize the balance between deployment flexibility and battery duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the network transmits data with high power to ensure reliable communication, then the signal quality improves, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes transmission parameters (power level, data rate, modulation scheme) based on channel conditions and battery status, using adaptive modulation and coding to maintain communication reliability while minimizing energy consumption at each transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the network monitors battery status frequently to predict failures, then the accuracy of prediction improves, but the energy consumption for monitoring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery life prediction accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic monitoring with varying intervals, performing comprehensive battery health assessments at longer intervals and lighter status checks more frequently, balancing prediction accuracy with energy consumption through hierarchical monitoring strategies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Area of stationary object

If the network adds more nodes to expand coverage, then the area monitored increases, but the complexity of network management and energy distribution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidnetwork management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network segments itself into clusters with local cluster heads that manage small groups of nodes, reducing overall network complexity by distributing management functions while enabling scalable expansion of coverage area through modular cluster addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system effectively extends battery life, reduces energy consumption, and maintains network performance by optimizing signal routing and adding boosters where needed, thereby minimizing the need for frequent battery replacements and enhancing network resilience against RF noise and interference.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a voltage drop in the battery; determining an internal resistance of the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage drop measurement: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS12355658B2Energy efficient wireless network of sensors

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 BUTLR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

The system includes a wireless network that combines the functionality of the sensors with the formation and maintenance of the network, while balancing the network with the minimization of the energy consumed by the entire system. The system may include nodes, gateways, coordinators, extension sensors and boosters. The system may perform a method comprising applying a known load to a battery in a first node; measuring a voltage drop in the battery; determining an internal resistance of the battery; estimating a remaining life in the battery based on the internal resistance; and in response to the remaining life being below a remaining life threshold, re-directing, by a first gateway, signals in a mesh network away from the first node and to one or more of a plurality of nodes interfacing with the first node, wherein the first gateway interfaces with the first node and a network.