Autonomous Mobile Backhaul Relay for Network Coverage Holes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile network coverage gaps, known as 'coverage holes,' occur in remote areas and high-demand situations due to techno-economic barriers, where traditional deployment methods are challenging, and existing solutions fail to dynamically optimize coverage without human intervention.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle equipped with a wireless access communications access point, scanning system, processor, navigation system, and propulsion system that identifies areas of poor coverage, moves to optimize signal quality, and initiates operation as a relay to extend network coverage, without relying on mobile terminals or fixed base station optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional fixed base station deployment is used, then network coverage is provided in accessible areas, but coverage holes remain in remote or high-demand areas due to techno-economic barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static nature of fixed base stations into a dynamic system by deploying mobile autonomous vehicles that can autonomously navigate to and from coverage holes. These vehicles carry wireless access point equipment and can dynamically reposition themselves to extend network coverage to remote areas or high-demand zones without requiring traditional fixed infrastructure deployment, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage area expansion and deployment difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicles are equipped with self-navigation capabilities including scanning systems to detect transmissions from other wireless access points, processors to determine directions of coverage deterioration, and navigation systems to direct movement. This self-service capability allows the vehicles to autonomously identify and position themselves in coverage holes without human intervention, eliminating the need for complex manual deployment while expanding network coverage
2Reliability
If mobile network infrastructure is deployed in remote areas, then coverage is improved, but the cost and engineering complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical construction approach of building fixed base stations in remote areas with an autonomous mobile system. Instead of physically constructing infrastructure in difficult-to-reach locations, the system uses self-navigating vehicles that can transport and deploy wireless access point equipment autonomously, significantly reducing the mechanical engineering complexity and infrastructure requirements while maintaining reliable network coverage
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous vehicles are deployed to extend coverage, then coverage holes are filled dynamically, but the system complexity increases compared to fixed base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicles serve multiple functions: they act as mobile platforms carrying wireless access point equipment, function as self-navigating units with scanning and navigation systems, and provide dynamic coverage extension capabilities. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated platform, managing the complexity while maximizing adaptability and coverage optimization benefits
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle having wireless access communications access point equipment is arranged to set up a base station in a coverage "hole" by scanning to detect transmissions from another wireless communications access point (step 104), and determines a direction in which quality of coverage from the other wireless communications access point 1 decreases (step 105), and directs the autonomous vehicle to move in the direction of decreasing coverage (step 103, 113) until it reaches a limit of coverage (106), at which point it hands over to another base station or, if no further base station is available, sets up as a wireless communications point connecting through the last base station to a backhaul connection.