Wireless Sensor Power Mode Cycling for Aircraft Data Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless sensor networks in aircraft applications face challenges in achieving high reliability and low data latency while conserving energy, as existing solutions do not adequately address the need for infrequent data loss and efficient battery life, especially in stringent performance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where wireless sensors operate in reduced power modes, transitioning between power modes based on communication requests from an access point, storing data and only transmitting in response to specific commands, and adjusting power modes based on communication activity, including time stamp information for clock synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless sensors continuously operate in full power mode to ensure high reliability and low data latency, then data transmission reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor alternates between sleep mode and active listening mode in periodic cycles. During sleep mode, the sensor consumes minimal energy. During active listening mode, the sensor wakes up to check for messages from the access point and then returns to sleep mode, achieving energy efficiency while maintaining reliability through periodic availability.
2Loss of time
If wireless sensors frequently wake up to check for messages to reduce data latency, then data latency is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor implements periodic wake-up cycles where it briefly activates to check for messages from the access point and then returns to sleep mode. This periodic action balances the need for low latency (by being available to receive messages) with energy conservation (by spending most time in sleep mode).
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor dynamically adjusts its operational state between sleep mode and active listening mode based on communication needs. The sensor transitions between these states adaptively, waking up only when necessary to check for messages and remaining in sleep mode otherwise, optimizing both latency and energy consumption.
3Speed
If wireless sensors transmit data proactively without access point requests to reduce latency, then data transmission speed is improved, but energy consumption increases and unnecessary transmissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback-based communication where the access point sends requests to the sensor based on actual data needs. The sensor only transmits data when it receives a specific request message from the access point, eliminating unnecessary transmissions and reducing energy consumption while maintaining efficient data transfer through on-demand communication.
4Reliability
If wireless sensors remain in active state to receive communications, then communication reliability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates in periodic cycles alternating between sleep mode and active listening mode. During each cycle, the sensor wakes up for a brief period to check for messages from the access point, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation extends battery life by minimizing active state duration while maintaining communication reliability through regular availability checks.
Data Source
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AI summary
Providing wireless communication between an access point and a wireless device includes the wireless device operating in a first reduced power mode for a first period of time, where the wireless device does not receive communications while operating in the first reduced power mode and includes the wireless device operating in a full power mode for a second period of time, where the wireless device transitions back into the first reduced power mode in response to there being no communication from the access point to the wireless device during the second period of time. The wireless device may be a wireless sensor. In response to the access point directing the wireless sensor to collect data at a particular collection time, the wireless sensor may enter the first reduced power mode for a time prior to the collection time.