Drone Broadband Access Mitigating Atmospheric Fading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadband access systems, particularly satellite-based systems, are costly and inefficient for remote and underserved regions due to high hardware and launch costs, as well as adverse atmospheric effects that impact signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A drone-based broadband access system that uses a network of drones equipped with transmission medium fixtures and radio sub-systems to provide coverage, switch data, and adapt to atmospheric conditions by adjusting transmission resources and switching between different transmission media to mitigate fading caused by rain, fog, and clouds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite systems are used to provide broadband access in remote areas, then coverage is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, long-lived satellites with cheaper, shorter-lived drones that can be deployed on-demand. The drone platform uses commercial off-the-shelf components rather than space-qualified hardware, dramatically reducing cost while accepting that drones require more frequent replacement or recharging compared to satellites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a terrestrial copy of satellite functionality using drone platforms. Instead of deploying actual satellites in orbit, the system uses ground-based drones that replicate satellite communication functions at a fraction of the cost, leveraging similar transmission and reception architectures but in a terrestrial environment.
2Productivity
If high-frequency transmission media are used to provide high-capacity broadband access, then data rate is improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to atmospheric fading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of transmission parameters based on real-time atmospheric conditions. The system continuously monitors signal quality metrics and adjusts modulation schemes, coding rates, and frequency selection to optimize both data rate and reliability under varying weather conditions such as rain, fog, and clouds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes transmission parameters (frequency, power, modulation) in response to atmospheric conditions. When fading is detected, the system adjusts these parameters to maintain reliable communication, such as switching to more robust modulation schemes or adjusting transmit power levels to compensate for atmospheric attenuation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a network of drones is deployed to provide broadband access, then scalability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the broadband access function into independent, modular drone units that can operate autonomously or in coordination. Each drone is a self-contained platform with its own transmission, reception, and control systems, allowing the network to scale by simply adding or removing individual drone segments rather than redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal drone platforms that can perform multiple functions: providing broadband access, relaying traffic between different types of terminals, and adapting to various atmospheric conditions. This multi-functionality reduces overall network complexity by using a single platform type for diverse applications rather than requiring specialized equipment for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for mitigating the effects of atmospheric conditions such as rain, fog, cloud in a broadband access system using drone/UAVs. In one embodiment, terminal and drone radio and transmission medium fixture sub-systems comprise multiple transmission media. In one embodiment, in response to changes in atmospheric conditions the drone radio sub-system switches transmission medium to reduce the effects of atmospheric conditions. In another embodiment, the terminal and drone radio sub-systems equalize the data rates among terminals in response to changes in atmospheric conditions observed by different terminals. In another embodiment, the drone radio sub-system adjusts the transmit power on the downlink to different terminal according to fading due to atmospheric conditions on each link.