CONTROL PLANE FOR SENSOR COMMUNICATION

• US 20120283992A1
• Filed: 05/05/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ji, Lusheng, Miller, Robert R. II
• Granted Patent: US 9,118,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can employ a control plane for managing communications with respect to a set of sensors. By utilizing a control plane, a distinction between control messages and data messages can be provided in a standardized way and the set of sensors can benefit from additional functionality and configurability. For example, the control plane can be employed to modify parameters associated with the set of sensors, which can be effectuated in real time and in situ as opposed to at the time of fabrication or deployment. Moreover, such modifications can relate to both the sensing portions of a particular sensor as well as the communication portions of a particular sensor.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a data network configured to propagate a data message associated with a set of sensors configured to measure a physical attribute, wherein the data message is configured to include measurement data associated with the physical attribute; and

a control component configured to provide a dedicated control plane for the set of sensors, wherein the dedicated control plane is configured to propagate a control message associated with the set of sensors, wherein the control message is distinct from the data message and configured to include instruction data associated with the set of sensors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the dedicated control plane is further configured to operate on a single channel that differs from one or more channels associated with the data network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the dedicated control plane is further configured to operate according to a different network protocol than that employed in connection with the data network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the dedicated control plane is further configured to operate according to a different communication rate or priority than that of the data network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the dedicated control plane is further configured to enable independent addressability for sensors included in the set of sensors.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control component is further configured to employ the dedicated control plane to adjust a parameter associated with a sensor of the set of sensors.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control component is further configured to adjust the at least one parameter in real time.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is in situ.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the parameter relates to a sensitivity of the sensor.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the control component is further configured to employ the dedicated control plane to receive an acknowledgment from the sensor, wherein the acknowledgment indicates the parameter was adjusted.

11. The system of claim 6, further comprising an intelligence component configured to dynamically infer an adjustment associated with the parameter.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the adjustment relates to a communication channel utilized by the set of sensors.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control component is included in a sensor of the set of sensors.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the control component is remote from the set of sensors.

15. A sensor, comprising:

a sensing component configured to measure a physical quantity; and

a communications component configured to communicate control messages representing instructions by way of a control plane and to communicate data messages representing data associated with the physical quantity by way of second network distinct from the control plane.

16. The sensor of claim 15, further comprising a management component configured to adjust the sensor based upon an instruction included in a control message received by way of the control plane.

17. The sensor of claim 15, further comprising an intelligence component configured to dynamically infer an adjustment to the sensor.

18. A method, comprising:

maintaining a communications network for a set of sensors configured to measure a physical quantity;

maintaining a control plane for the set of sensors;

employing a processor for differentiating between a control message including a sensor command and a data message including sensor data; and

propagating the control message by way of the control plane.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising utilizing the control plane for transmission of the control message instructing the sensor from the set of sensors to modify in real time a parameter associated with the sensor that is in situ.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving an acknowledgement from the sensor that the parameter was modified according to instructions included in the control message.