Wireless Sensor Startup via Smartphone Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy-intensive processes involved in the startup of wireless sensors with autonomous power supply, such as searching for and selecting mobile communications providers, downloading firmware updates, and dialing into an external end system, significantly deplete the battery capacity, necessitating an energy-efficient solution.
Innovation Solution
Outsource energy-intensive startup tasks to a mobile communications device, such as a smartphone, using it to establish a wireless data connection, simulate the sensor, and configure the mobile communications connection, thereby reducing the sensor's energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor performs startup processes itself (searching for mobile communications providers, downloading firmware updates, dialing into external end system), then the sensor can be configured and connected, but the battery capacity is significantly depleted
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile communications device acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the external end system. The mobile device performs the energy-intensive startup processes (searching for providers, downloading firmware, establishing connections) while the sensor remains in a low-power state. This mediator approach allows the sensor to benefit from complex configuration without consuming excessive battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communications device creates a simulated representation of the sensor for the purpose of configuration and connection establishment. By simulating the sensor's functionality during startup, the mobile device can handle complex communication protocols and configuration tasks without requiring the actual sensor to perform these energy-intensive operations.
2Productivity
If the sensor performs intensive computing work during startup, then the sensor can be properly configured and connected, but the operating time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communications device serves as a computational intermediary that handles the intensive processing tasks during sensor startup. Instead of the sensor performing all configuration and communication tasks locally, the mobile device offloads these computationally demanding operations, allowing the sensor to remain in a low-power state throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communications device performs preliminary configuration actions before the sensor needs to fully operationalize. By pre-establishing communication channels, downloading necessary firmware updates, and configuring connection parameters in advance, the system reduces the computational burden on the sensor during its actual operation phase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor performs all startup tasks independently, then the sensor is self-sufficient, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communications device functions as an energy-providing intermediary that compensates for the sensor's limited battery capacity. This mediator approach allows the sensor to benefit from comprehensive self-configuration capabilities while the mobile device supplies the necessary computational resources and energy headroom required for intensive startup processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communications device is a multi-functional platform that simultaneously serves as a configuration tool, communication bridge, and computational resource. By consolidating multiple functions (provider selection, firmware management, connection establishment) into a single device, the system reduces the overall energy burden on the sensor while maintaining versatile configuration capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method starts up a sensor for process and automation technology, in which as many tasks and computing processes as possible are outsourced to a mobile communications device such as a smartphone during configuration for mobile communication, and then a finished, locally optimal configuration of the mobile communications connection is transferred to the sensor in a very energy-efficient manner, preferably via a near-field communication (NFC) connection or a Bluetooth data connection.