Expandable Path Search Rings for Wireless Backhaul Site Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network operators face challenges in efficiently identifying viable sites for new wireless tower installations due to complex site acquisition processes, especially in urban areas with obstructions and terrain constraints, requiring automation to meet time-to-market pressures and leverage existing infrastructure for backhaul connections.

Innovation Solution

A wireless design and site backhaul analysis tool that uses expandable path search rings to analyze potential backhaul between new and existing sites, computing radio signal path profiles and visually depicting viable candidate sites within specified search areas to aid in rapid network deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual site survey and analysis methods are used, then thorough evaluation of potential sites is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and cannot meet time-to-market pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesite evaluation accuracyVSAvoidtime to identify viable sites

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical surveying and analysis processes with automated computer-based systems that use algorithms to compute radio signal path profiles, evaluate backhaul options, and identify viable sites automatically, thereby maintaining evaluation accuracy while dramatically reducing time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automated evaluation where the computer automatically performs site surveys, computes signal paths, evaluates backhaul connectivity, and generates recommendations without requiring manual intervention at each step, thus accelerating the site identification process while maintaining thoroughness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the backhaul search area is expanded to cover more potential sites, then more backhaul options are available, but the complexity of analyzing all candidates increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackhaul search coverageVSAvoidanalysis complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large backhaul search area into manageable analysis units by using expandable search rings that grow incrementally and by dividing the analysis into systematic steps (computing path profiles, evaluating candidates, selecting viable sites), making the complex evaluation process tractable while maintaining comprehensive coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic expandable search rings that automatically adjust their scope based on findings, allowing the analysis to expand to cover more areas when needed while contracting or stopping when sufficient backhaul options are identified, thereby managing complexity adaptively throughout the evaluation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If automated tools are used to speed up site identification, then time-to-market is reduced, but the precision and accuracy of site evaluation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesite identification speedVSAvoidsite evaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual evaluation with automated computer-based analysis that uses sophisticated algorithms to compute radio signal path profiles and assess backhaul connectivity, maintaining or even improving evaluation precision through consistent application of standardized criteria while dramatically increasing identification speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the automated tool computes path profiles, evaluates candidates against predefined criteria, and refines its selections based on the results, ensuring that speed does not compromise accuracy by continuously verifying and adjusting evaluations throughout the automated process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11470534B2System and methods for evaluating backhaul of wireless sites using expandable path search rings

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 WIRELESS APPLICATIONS CORP

AI summary

The disclosed technology provides a system and method for evaluating candidate wireless sites within path search rings around centerpoints or new potential sites based on a portfolio of centerpoints, a portfolio of candidate sites, a variable radius of the path search rings, and a variable number of target candidates or paths sought within each path search ring, where the system and method computes radio path properties between the centerpoints and candidate sites and visually depicts bounding rings around centerpoints based on whether the target number of viable candidates or paths exist within the path search ring.