Wireless Tag Battery Life via Periodic BLE Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset-tracking systems face challenges with short battery life in wireless tags, leading to frequent replacements and high costs, especially in industries requiring long-term tracking of mobile assets, where tag failure can be undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A wireless tag apparatus that switches between low-power and active states to conserve battery life, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication and sensors to transmit data periodically or upon movement or impact, extending battery life and reducing replacement needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the wireless tag transmits data continuously at high rate, then the location tracking accuracy is improved, but the battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless tag alternates between active transmission states and low-power sleep states, transmitting location data at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation allows the tag to maintain acceptable location tracking accuracy while significantly extending battery life by minimizing the time the radio transmitter is active.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag dynamically adjusts its transmission rate based on asset movement detection. When motion is detected, the tag increases transmission frequency to maintain tracking accuracy; when stationary, it reduces transmission frequency to conserve battery power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between tracking accuracy and battery life.
2Speed
If the wireless tag uses high transmission power, then the transmission range is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tag uses high transmission power only during periodic active transmission intervals rather than continuously, allowing it to achieve sufficient transmission range for mobile asset tracking while minimizing total energy consumption through duty cycling.
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 solution significantly extends the battery life of asset-tracking tags, enabling longer-term monitoring with reduced maintenance costs and minimizing the risk of tag failure in mobile asset tracking applications.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, via a wireless tag apparatus, a first radio frequency (RF) signal of a first frequency range... transmitting, via the wireless tag apparatus, a second RF signal of a second frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
An asset tag apparatus and methods of monitoring assets with an asset tag are provided. The asset tag apparatus includes a housing and a wireless transmitter located within the housing. A processor is located within the housing, wherein the processor is in communication with the wireless transmitter. An accelerometer is positioned within the housing, wherein the accelerometer is in communication with the processor, wherein a wake-up signal is transmitted from the accelerometer to the processor in response to an activation of the accelerometer, and wherein the wireless transmitter transmits a signal externally from the housing in response to the wake-up signal received by the processor.