Inspection Route Checkpoint Reporting for Low-Coverage UAV Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned vehicles used for field inspections may miss checkpoints or fail to perform tasks due to adverse conditions, and existing communication systems lack efficient mechanisms for real-time status reporting and instruction delivery, especially in areas with limited data coverage.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system that allows unmanned vehicles to identify and report task statuses at checkpoints, enabling base stations to adjust inspection routes and instruct vehicles to reattempt tasks or skip checkpoints, using non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) signature sequences for efficient data transmission over low data rate connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If unmanned vehicles operate in areas with limited data coverage, then operational reach is expanded, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reachVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection route is divided into multiple checkpoints, and the communication process is segmented into discrete task status reports at each checkpoint. This allows the system to operate in limited coverage areas by breaking down continuous communication requirements into intermittent, manageable reporting instances at specific locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures inspection routes with multiple checkpoints and pre-establishes reporting requirements before deployment. This preliminary setup enables unmanned vehicles to operate autonomously in areas with limited real-time communication capability, as they can follow pre-planned routes and report at predetermined checkpoints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If real-time status reporting is implemented at all checkpoints, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but data transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements differentiated reporting at different checkpoints based on local conditions and requirements. Not all checkpoints require the same level of detailed reporting - the system can adjust reporting granularity and frequency at each checkpoint to match local needs, reducing overall data overhead while maintaining necessary monitoring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system reports task status at checkpoints selectively - only when tasks are completed or when anomalies are detected, rather than continuously reporting all intermediate states. This partial reporting approach maintains monitoring accuracy for critical events while significantly reducing unnecessary data transmission overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If inspection routes are rigidly predefined, then route consistency is improved, but adaptability to adverse conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute consistencyVSAvoidadaptability to adverse conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection route system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. While the overall route structure is predefined for consistency, the system allows real-time adjustments to the route based on adverse conditions, task completion status, and unexpected events. Checkpoints can be skipped, revisited, or new checkpoints added dynamically during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where task status reports from checkpoints are used to dynamically adjust the inspection route. Base stations receive status information and can send updated route instructions back to unmanned vehicles, allowing the route to adapt to actual operating conditions while maintaining the structured framework of predefined checkpoints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Speed

If frequent communication occurs between vehicles and base stations, then control responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol responsivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous communication, the system uses periodic reporting at predefined checkpoints. Unmanned vehicles communicate task status at regular intervals corresponding to checkpoint completions, rather than maintaining constant communication links. This periodic approach maintains necessary control responsiveness while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows unmanned vehicles to skip communication during routine, successful task executions and only report when necessary - such as when completing checkpoints, detecting anomalies, or encountering adverse conditions. This selective reporting skips unnecessary communication events, reducing energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness for critical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP3804274B1Inspection route communications
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3804274B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804274B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3804274B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects and features related to wireless communication for unmanned vehicles or inspection routes are described. In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, a system, and an apparatus are provided. A method of wireless communication includes identifying a plurality of checkpoints for an inspection route corresponding to a mobile communication device. The method includes identifying a task status for a current checkpoint of the plurality of checkpoints, the task status indicating a status of one or more tasks corresponding to the current checkpoint. The method includes sending a report to a communication device indicating the task status for the current checkpoint.