Guided Wave Communication System Using Unmanned Aircraft Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for bandwidth in communication systems due to widespread use of smartphones and portable devices poses challenges for traditional macrocell base stations, necessitating the deployment of small cells like microcells and picocells, while also requiring efficient broadband access networks to support services like voice, video, and internet browsing.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires or dielectric materials, to propagate signals without requiring an electrical circuit, allowing for efficient data transmission over long distances with reduced loss, and can be deployed using unmanned aircraft systems for convenient installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional macrocell base stations are used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is large, but bandwidth capacity is insufficient to meet increasing demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the broadband access network into multiple small cell base stations (microcells and picocells) that each provide localized high-capacity access. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high total bandwidth capacity by aggregating multiple small cells while each individual cell maintains manageable coverage area, resolving the contradiction between overall bandwidth capacity and individual coverage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If small cell base stations are deployed to increase bandwidth capacity, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but deployment complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoiddeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs small cell base stations that can function as both wireless access points and guided wave transmission terminals. This multi-functionality reduces deployment complexity by eliminating the need for separate wired backhaul infrastructure in many cases, as the small cells can communicate with each other and with the core network through guided wave transmissions along existing utility infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses guided wave transmission along existing utility infrastructure (power lines, communication cables) as an intermediary to connect small cell base stations to the core network. This intermediary approach avoids the need for new dedicated fiber optic installations, significantly reducing deployment complexity and cost while maintaining high bandwidth capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If guided wave transmission is used for broadband access, then signal loss is reduced and transmission efficiency is improved, but infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal lossVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes existing utility infrastructure (power lines, communication cables) for guided wave transmission, making the system adaptable to already-deployed infrastructure. This approach reduces signal loss by using dedicated guided wave paths while avoiding the need for completely new infrastructure, as existing utilities can be repurposed for data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables existing utility infrastructure to serve dual purposes: traditional functions (power distribution, telephony) and new guided wave data transmission. This self-service approach allows the infrastructure to provide multiple services without requiring additional dedicated structures, reducing overall infrastructure requirements while maintaining low signal loss characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables reliable and efficient communication by reducing signal loss and eliminating the need for electrical return paths, allowing for the use of single-wire transmission lines and dielectric materials, thereby enhancing bandwidth capacity and supporting diverse communication services.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGuided electromagnetic waves: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS10139820B2Method and apparatus for deploying equipment of a communication system

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining, by an unmanned aircraft including a processor, a control signal that causes the unmanned aircraft to fly in proximity to a transmission medium, where the unmanned aircraft includes a carrying system that releasably carries a communication device, and where a positioning of the communication device in proximity to the transmission medium enables the communication device to be physically connected on the transmission medium and enables the communication device to provide communications. Other embodiments are disclosed.