Dynamic RF Measurement for Coverage Outage Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial communication networks face challenges in providing reliable and low-latency connectivity to vehicles in dynamic environments, such as harbors, due to interference and blockages, which can lead to service outages and safety risks, especially for critical services like URLLC.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a Central Control Unit that determines service outage probabilities and deploys measurement devices, like drones, to assess connectivity in areas where vehicles will move, allowing for proactive measures to prevent service failures, such as changing routes or adjusting network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional static network planning is used, then network infrastructure can be deployed with fixed configuration, but shadow regions and coverage problems occur due to dynamic obstacles and changing propagation environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network planning where the network infrastructure adapts to changing propagation conditions in real-time. Measurement devices continuously monitor the environment and trigger actions such as adjusting transmit power, changing resource allocation, or modifying beamforming parameters to maintain reliable communication despite dynamic obstacles and shadow regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements and predictions to anticipate coverage problems before they occur. By measuring propagation conditions in advance and predicting future shadow regions based on obstacle movement patterns, the network can proactively adjust parameters to prevent communication failures rather than reacting after outages occur.
2Productivity
If higher frequency bands are used for 5G communications, then data transmission capacity is improved, but LOS blockage effects become much more serious causing coverage holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes network parameters such as transmit power, frequency allocation, and beamforming angles based on real-time propagation conditions. When high-frequency signals encounter blockage, the system adjusts parameters to compensate for path loss and shadowing effects, maintaining both high data rates and reliable coverage in 5G networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement devices act as intermediaries between the network infrastructure and the dynamic environment. These devices continuously monitor propagation conditions and relay information back to the network, enabling the system to adapt to LOS blockages caused by large moving objects while maintaining high-frequency 5G communications.
3Measurement precision
If measurement devices are deployed to perform RF measurements in shadow regions, then accurate propagation data is obtained, but system complexity and measurement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing network infrastructure and vehicles as measurement platforms. Vehicles equipped with measurement capabilities perform RF measurements while conducting their normal operations, eliminating the need for dedicated measurement devices. This self-service approach reduces system complexity while maintaining measurement precision for characterizing shadow regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functional measurement devices that can perform both their primary functions (e.g., vehicle operation, data collection) and RF propagation measurements simultaneously. This universal approach allows the same device to serve multiple purposes, reducing overall system complexity while obtaining accurate propagation data in shadow regions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces service failures and ensures reliable communication for vehicles by identifying and mitigating potential connectivity issues before they occur, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
performing radio frequency measurements and reporting back to the network
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method in a radio communication network providing a service for a plurality of devices, the method comprising: determining a service outage probability for a device that is going to move to a sub-area of a coverage area of the network, the service outage probability associated with said sub-area; in response to determining that the service outage probability exceeds a threshold, requesting a measurement device to move to said sub-area and to perform one or more radio frequency measurements; determining whether the service outage probability exceeds another threshold based at least on the requested one or more radio frequency measurements; and triggering at least one action if the service outage probability exceeds said another threshold.