Mobile Machine Networking with Redundant Links for Field Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges in establishing and maintaining electronic communications between mobile machines operating in outdoor environments with obstacles and adverse conditions, such as trees, hills, dust, rain, and snow, which can disrupt communication ranges and hinder effective coordination for tasks like construction and agriculture.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for networking mobile machines using a resilient communications structure with at least two different electronic communication methods: machine-to-machine networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi) and external networks (e.g., cellular or satellite), ensuring redundancy and real-time data sharing through onboard and offboard computing systems to maintain synchronized data pools across machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If machines use a single electronic communication method, then the system is simpler, but communication reliability deteriorates in challenging outdoor environments with obstacles and adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system dynamically switches between multiple communication methods (direct machine-to-machine wireless communication and remote server-mediated communication) based on environmental conditions and connectivity status, allowing the system to adapt to changing outdoor environments with obstacles and adverse conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters by selecting different communication methods (direct peer-to-peer vs. server-mediated) based on factors like signal strength, environmental obstacles, and network availability, optimizing communication reliability under varying conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If machines operate in large fields with distant separations, then operational flexibility improves, but communication range is exceeded making coordination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A remote server acts as an intermediary that mediates communication between machines operating in large fields, allowing machines beyond direct communication range to exchange data and coordinates through the server, maintaining operational flexibility while enabling distant coordination
3Speed
If the system uses only direct machine-to-machine communication, then data sharing is faster, but the system becomes vulnerable to communication disruptions from obstacles and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for communication disruptions by maintaining backup communication paths through remote servers, ensuring that if direct machine-to-machine communication fails due to obstacles or environmental conditions, data sharing can continue through alternative routes without complete system failure
Data Source
AI summary
Each of a plurality of mobile machines includes an onboard communications and control system configured to communicate with each of the other machines via at least two different electronic communication methods, communicate working information specific to the machine to each of the other machines, receive working information from the other machines and store the received working information in the data pool. An offboard computing system is configured to communicate with each of the mobile machines using at least one of the at least two different electronic communication methods, receive the working information from each of the machines, store the received working information in a data pool and communicate the data pool to each of the machines. Each of the data pools always includes the most recent working information from each of the mobile machines. The mobile machines may use the data pools to coordinate operations.