3D Pathloss Simulation for Dynamic Wireless Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dynamic environments with moving objects cause signal degradation, leading to reduced functionality in networked devices due to issues like lost signals, data transfer errors, and high latency, which existing technologies fail to effectively manage.

Innovation Solution

A cross-layer tool chain simulates a three-dimensional model of a physical environment to emulate signal degradation and outputs commands to optimize network operations, including navigational commands and service level adjustments, to maintain reliable connections and improve user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices are placed conservatively to avoid pathloss issues, then network reliability is improved, but device placement flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoiddevice placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts device placement recommendations based on real-time environmental conditions and signal characteristics. Instead of static conservative placement, the system adapts placement strategies according to actual pathloss measurements and environmental changes, allowing optimal flexibility while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes placement parameters dynamically based on measured signal characteristics and environmental factors. By adjusting placement parameters according to actual conditions rather than using fixed conservative values, the system achieves both reliability and placement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If excessive build-out is performed to ensure coverage, then network coverage is improved, but network cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidnetwork cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary pathloss measurements and environmental assessments before finalizing network deployment. By predicting signal propagation characteristics in advance, the system optimizes access point placement to achieve adequate coverage without excessive build-out, reducing unnecessary network costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automatic pathloss measurement and analysis capabilities to self-optimize network coverage. Through automated environmental scanning and signal characteristic analysis, the system determines minimal sufficient coverage areas, avoiding costly over-deployment while ensuring adequate network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If transient pathloss issues are ignored, then device functionality is maintained, but signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures pathloss characteristics and provides feedback to adjust device operations in real-time. By monitoring signal quality and environmental conditions, the system dynamically adapts device functionality to maintain both ease of operation and signal quality, rather than ignoring transient issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs periodic pathloss measurements and adjustments to maintain signal quality. Through regular environmental scanning and signal characteristic analysis, the system proactively addresses transient pathloss issues before they significantly impact signal quality, while maintaining device functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11799569B2Pathloss mitigation via simulated models of dynamic environments

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Aspects provide for dynamic pathloss mitigation via a cross layer tool chain by simulating a three-dimensional model of a physical environment including an access point, an endpoint running an application, and a passive object; emulating network traffic for the application transmitted between the access point and the endpoint; simulating, in the model, pathways for signals to carry the traffic in a plurality of regions for the physical environment; emulating signal degradation along the pathways in the plurality of regions based on respective locations for the access point, the endpoint, and the passive object in the physical environment; and in response to the signal degradation satisfying a pathloss threshold, outputting a command to the application to affect operations of the endpoint. Additionally, the cross layer tool chain outputs a Graphical User Interface showing a signal degradation map based on the simulated network traffic overlaid on the model.