Multi-Link Satellite Processor for Autonomous Vehicle Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face limitations in sensor reliability, especially during inclement weather, and inability to detect certain road conditions or objects, which can lead to safety risks and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link satellite processor system utilizing database processing, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics to enhance vehicle control by communicating with satellite networks, providing data and commands independent of onboard sensors and cameras, and enabling geofencing, bi-directional data flow, and satellite-based telemetry for improved decision-making and maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If onboard sensors and cameras are used for autonomous vehicle operation, then vehicle self-control and independent operation are enabled, but reliability deteriorates during inclement weather and for undetectable road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces satellite networks as an intermediary system that provides external perception and navigation capabilities to autonomous vehicles. The satellite-based system acts as a mediator between the vehicle's control systems and the external environment, providing reliable data about road conditions, surrounding objects, and geographic location that supplements or replaces onboard sensors when they fail or are insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating multiple satellite network services (communication, navigation, perception) into a single external system. The satellite network provides diverse functions including real-time location tracking, road condition monitoring, object detection, and navigation guidance, allowing one external system to replace multiple specialized onboard sensors and systems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and actuators are installed to improve detection capability, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the perception and detection functions from the vehicle's onboard sensor system and relocates them to external satellite networks. Instead of equipping the vehicle with multiple complex sensors to achieve high measurement precision, the system extracts these detection capabilities and implements them through satellite-based observation and data transmission, significantly reducing onboard hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses satellite networks to create virtual copies of the physical detection environment. Rather than physically installing multiple sensors to detect various road conditions and objects, the system uses satellites to observe and transmit information about the environment, creating a digital representation that replaces the need for multiple physical sensing devices.
3Reliability
If satellite network communication is used to provide external control, then reliability improves by reducing dependence on onboard hardware, but loss of information may occur during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing communication protocols, data formats, and transmission pathways between satellite networks and vehicles before actual operation. The system pre-configures error correction mechanisms, data prioritization rules, and fallback communication modes to prevent information loss during transmission, ensuring reliable control data delivery even under adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the satellite network receives acknowledgment and status information from the vehicle, allowing real-time monitoring of data transmission quality. The system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust transmission parameters, retransmit lost data packets, and optimize communication pathways, thereby maintaining high reliability and minimizing information loss during satellite-vehicle communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-link satellite processor is described that provides command or control information to a vehicle via multi-link satellite downlink signals. Embodiments of the invention provide an Earth-based multi-link satellite processor that process information to generate the command information and to transmit the command information to commercial satellite or low-Earth orbit and satellites. The command information is provided to a vehicle via the multi-link satellite downlink signal in which one or more commercial satellites and at least one low-Earth orbiting satellite are used to generate the multi-link satellite downlink signal.