Consolidating Location Data in Radio Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio access networks (RANs) face bandwidth limitations and high costs due to individual subscriber units requesting location-dependent information, such as weather data, which can consume available bandwidth and incur substantial charges from content providers.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine the geographic location of each subscriber unit, calculate a representative location for a group, and request location-dependent information from a content provider using this representative location, broadcasting it to all units within the RAN's coverage area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each subscriber unit individually requests location-dependent information, then each unit receives accurate location-specific data, but bandwidth consumption increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual information requests into a single consolidated request by determining a representative geographic location for a group of subscriber units. The system combines location data from multiple units, calculates a representative location (such as centroid or average coordinates), and submits one unified request to the content provider, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while still providing location-dependent information to all units in the group
Solution Approach 2:
The representative geographic location serves multiple functions simultaneously: it represents the group's location for information retrieval purposes, enables a single request to serve multiple subscriber units, and provides a common reference point for distributing location-dependent information to all units in the group, thereby achieving multi-functionality with a single computational element
2Adaptability or versatility
If each subscriber unit individually requests location-dependent information, then each unit gets customized data, but content provider charges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple payment-worthy requests into a single request by consolidating location data from multiple subscriber units into one representative location. This merging approach reduces the number of billable requests to the content provider while maintaining the ability to deliver location-specific information to each unit based on their individual positions relative to the representative location
3Loss of energy
If a representative location is calculated for a group, then bandwidth and costs are reduced, but the complexity of determining and calculating location increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location processing task into distinct stages: first collecting individual location data from subscriber units, then separating the calculation of representative location from the information request process, and finally segmenting the distribution of information back to individual units. This segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the overall process into manageable, independent steps
Solution Approach 2:
The representative geographic location acts as an intermediary element that simplifies communication between the group of subscriber units and the content provider. Instead of managing multiple complex individual requests, the system uses this intermediary representative location to mediate the information exchange, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the desired bandwidth savings
4Ease of operation
If individual requests are made for location-dependent information, then specific needs are met, but available bandwidth is consumed quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple simple individual requests into one consolidated request mechanism. While individual units still experience simple operation (requesting information based on their location), the system combines these requests behind the scenes using the representative location approach, thereby maintaining ease of operation for users while dramatically improving bandwidth efficiency through reduced redundant data transmission
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for consolidating location-dependent information in a two-way radio system includes determining a geographic location of each subscriber unit in a group of subscriber units active within a radio frequency (RF) coverage area of a base station (BS), determining a single representative geographic location for the group of subscriber units based on their geographic locations, requesting location-dependent information from a content provider using the representative geographic location, and causing the location-dependent information to be broadcast within the RF coverage area.