Autonomous Vehicle Microwave Antenna Alignment for Network Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile network expansion using manned vehicles is limited by accessibility, safety concerns, and inefficiency in areas inaccessible to human drivers, leading to misalignment of microwave antennas which weakens transmission signals and requires manual realignment.

Innovation Solution

The use of autonomous vehicles equipped with microwave antennas and AI technology, along with a blockchain network, for autonomous navigation, alignment, and realignment of microwave antennas to maintain optimal signal strength and network integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manned vehicles are used for network expansion, then network nodes can be set up in accessible areas, but the system cannot operate in inaccessible areas and poses safety risks to human drivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to network expansion areasVSAvoidsafety risks to human drivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle performs network node setup operations independently without human intervention. The vehicle navigates autonomously to inaccessible areas, positions itself, and completes the network equipment installation and microwave antenna alignment tasks by itself, eliminating the need for human drivers in dangerous environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system operated by human drivers with an autonomous navigation and control system. The autonomous vehicle uses sensors, processors, and control algorithms to navigate and perform network expansion tasks, substituting human mechanical operation with automated electronic control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If microwave antennas are manually aligned by engineering teams, then initial network setup can be completed, but realignment requires manual intervention when misalignment occurs due to weather or other factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission signal strengthVSAvoidrealignment operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle continuously monitors the alignment status of microwave antennas using feedback from signal strength measurements and positioning systems. When misalignment is detected due to weather or environmental factors, the system automatically adjusts the antenna position and re-aligns it with the target antenna, maintaining optimal transmission signal strength without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous vehicle performs self-alignment of microwave antennas using onboard sensors and positioning systems. The vehicle automatically detects its position, calculates the required antenna orientation, and adjusts the antenna position to maintain proper alignment with network infrastructure, eliminating the need for engineering teams to perform manual realignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If autonomous vehicles are deployed for network expansion, then inaccessible areas can be reached and deployment time is reduced, but the system complexity increases with AI and blockchain integration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork deployment speedVSAvoidautonomous vehicle system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines navigation, network equipment installation, microwave antenna alignment, and real-time monitoring capabilities in a single system. The vehicle can perform multiple network expansion tasks autonomously, reducing the need for separate specialized systems and equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a blockchain network as an intermediary layer that coordinates autonomous vehicle deployments and manages network node information. The blockchain serves as a decentralized ledger that stores and verifies network expansion data, enabling seamless communication and coordination between multiple autonomous vehicles and network infrastructure without centralized control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240388925A1System, method, and medium for mobile network expansion using an autonomous vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 RAKUTEN SYMPHONY INC

AI summary

A method for expanding a mobile network via an autonomous vehicle includes receiving a network expansion request comprising configuration data, mapping a network expansion site, generating a set of computer navigation instructions to be used by the autonomous vehicle to set up a microwave link and a radio network node for expanding the mobile network, selecting an autonomous vehicle, deploying the selected autonomous vehicle to the network expansion site to autonomously set up the microwave link and the radio network node.