Modular Mesh Radio Housing for Automatic Peer-to-Peer Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems for military and emergency use are cumbersome, provide low power and low bandwidth, and require users to carry separate devices, making them unsuitable for mission-critical applications and unreliable in austere environments.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained mesh radio unit integrated into a housing that can be coupled with primary communication devices, such as smartphones, providing automatic failover to a meshed communication network with high bandwidth and secure encrypted communications, capable of operating in the absence of primary network coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional communication systems are used for military and emergency use, then communication redundancy is provided, but the systems are cumbersome, bulky, and require users to carry two separate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a primary communication radio and a secondary mesh network radio into a single integrated housing unit. The secondary radio is physically coupled to the primary communication device through a housing that receives the device, merging multiple communication functions into one unified system. This eliminates the need to carry separate devices while maintaining communication redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated communication unit provides multiple communication modes (primary network and mesh network) within a single device. The housing can receive various primary communication devices and provides both primary and secondary communication pathways, making the system universally applicable across different communication scenarios and device types.
2Reliability
If conventional secondary network radios are used, then communication failover is provided, but the radios are low power, low range, and low bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power and performance parameters of the secondary mesh radio by integrating it with the primary communication device's power supply and processing capabilities. The secondary radio in the integrated unit has access to higher power levels and greater bandwidth compared to conventional standalone secondary radios, enabling long-range, high-bandwidth mesh network communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes mesh network connections and maintains readiness for failover before primary network failure occurs. The integrated unit can operate independently on the mesh network, and the housing design allows the secondary radio to be pre-configured and powered, ensuring immediate failover capability without the limitations of low-power conventional secondary radios.
3Reliability
If separate devices are used for primary and secondary communication, then communication redundancy is achieved, but users must ensure connection between devices is not broken or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the secondary mesh radio into the same housing as the primary communication device, the patent eliminates the need for separate physical devices. The housing itself becomes the connection medium, physically receiving and securing the primary device while enabling wireless communication between the two radios. This merging removes the operational burden of maintaining connections between separate devices.
4Reliability
If conventional communication systems are used, then some level of communication is provided, but the systems are inappropriate for mission critical use cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct functional modules within a unified housing: a primary communication radio and a secondary mesh network radio. Each radio maintains its independence and functionality while being physically integrated. This segmentation allows the system to provide mission-critical reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines different communication technologies (primary network radio and mesh network radio) into a composite communication unit. Each radio type contributes its strengths, creating a composite system that is more capable and reliable than either component alone, suitable for mission-critical applications where diverse communication pathways are essential.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a self-contained mesh radio extension unit, comprising a receiving sleeve having an open volume and a first data connector for communicative coupling to a communication device or cellular phone inserted in the open volume. A low-gain internal antenna and a high-gain external antenna are coupled to a digital data link (DDL) with a first DDL operating frequency. The DDL provides bidirectional internet protocol (IP) connectivity between the first data connector and a peer-to-peer meshed communication network, controlling one or more of the antennae as transceivers at the first DDL operating frequency. An integrated power supply system powers the DDL and includes a rechargeable internal battery and an external power interface. A control system automatically routes IP packets received or transmitted by the DDL and includes a network address translation (NAT) router and an IP addressing service for assigning and tracking IP addresses across the peer-to-peer meshed communication network.