RapidNet IP: A synchronized, high throughput, low power wireless networking solution for ESL

Abstract

Electronic shelf labels (ESL) are electronic equivalent of price tags in retail stores, product id labels in large warehouses, and instruction sheets in manufacturing assembly lines. The volume of labels varies up to 1000-12000 in numbers depending on the application. This paper describes novel wireless protocol RapidNet IP and data compression algorithm used to update the ESL tags remotely. RapidNet IP is a secure & synchronized high throughput, low power & long-range wireless networking protocol. This can update 12000 ESL tags in one hour. Time Synchronized channel hopping (TSCH) method allows for congestion free traffic for larger number of nodes. The proprietary joining method allows the faster network formation. Data compression algorithm developed as a part this protocol compresses ESL tag PNG image from 150kb to 2kb. This facilitates the ability to update more tags in a short period and reduces the nodes wakeup time. This enables the low power wireless network end nodes battery life up to 7 years (with CR2450 x2 (2.9” ESL tag)).