Mobile Robot Daisy Chain for Wireless Coverage Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient and flexible deployment of wireless communication network coverage, particularly in situations where rapid capacity growth or unexpected changes occur, such as during events or in challenging terrains, and maintaining this coverage when mobile robots fail or require maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves mounting radio base stations on mobile robots and implementing a method where these robots form a daisy chain loop to maintain and shift positions, allowing for continuous coverage and efficient replacement, with a maintenance base managing the deployment and recharging of the robots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile robots are deployed to provide wireless communication coverage, then deployment speed and coverage flexibility are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to robot failures and maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a circular buffer of mobile robots at the maintenance base before deployment is needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a robot fails or needs maintenance, a replacement is immediately available, maintaining system reliability without compromising deployment speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a reserve buffer of mobile robots at the maintenance base that serve as backup units. This cushioning approach ensures that if deployed robots fail or require maintenance, the coverage can be maintained by rotating buffer robots into service, thus protecting against reliability issues
2Duration of action of stationary object
If mobile robots form a daisy chain loop for coverage, then coverage continuity is improved during replacement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot system is divided into discrete functional units that can be independently deployed, managed, and replaced. Each robot operates as a separate node in the daisy chain, allowing individual replacement without affecting the entire system, thus enabling coverage continuity through modular replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic daisy chain loop where mobile robots can be added, removed, and repositioned in real-time. The chain automatically reconfigures when robots are replaced or need maintenance, maintaining continuous coverage through dynamic adaptation rather than static deployment
3Reliability
If a buffer of mobile robots is maintained at maintenance base, then reliability is improved through quick replacement, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a circular buffer where mobile robots are continuously rotated between deployment and maintenance base. Robots that complete their service cycle are recovered at the maintenance base for recharging and maintenance, then returned to the buffer for redeployment, efficiently utilizing resources while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robots in the buffer operate on periodic cycles, alternating between deployment phases providing coverage and maintenance phases for recharging. This periodic rotation ensures that robots are available when needed while systematically addressing maintenance requirements, balancing reliability with resource efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A system, method, apparatus, and computer program for maintaining a radio coverage area of a wireless communication network, implemented in a mobile robot (100) of a plurality of mobile robots (100) providing the radio coverage area, are described. Each mobile robot (100) comprising a radio base station of the wireless communication network. The method comprises upon receiving instruction from a maintenance base (110), moving to a geographical position to deploy as part of a daisy chain loop of mobile robots (100). The method further comprises upon receiving further instruction from the maintenance base (110), moving to a further geographical position as part of a circular shift operation performed by the mobile robots (100) deployed to the daisy chain loop to maintain the radio coverage area and to return a further mobile robot (100) of the mobile robots (100) deployed to the daisy chain loop to the maintenance base (110).