Multi-thread Cellular Communication for UAS Video Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) face limitations in throughput and reliability, particularly with the transmission of control and video data, due to bandwidth constraints and vulnerability to 'loss of link' issues, which hinder real-time mission-critical information sharing and security.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple threads over multiple carriers and towers dynamically splits data streams across cellular networks, prioritizing packet delivery based on data importance, and utilizing altitude to establish additional connections, thereby enhancing throughput and reliability while mitigating bandwidth limitations and connection losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple threads over multiple carriers and towers are implemented to split data streams, then throughput and reliability are improved, but device complexity and system configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data streams into multiple threads that are transmitted over different carriers and towers. Each thread carries a portion of the overall data, allowing parallel transmission paths that improve reliability through diversity while managing complexity through structured segmentation of the communication flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements multi-functionality by enabling the same communication infrastructure to handle multiple data streams simultaneously across different carriers and towers. The platform provides universal access to multi-threaded communication capabilities for various UAS applications without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
2Productivity
If bandwidth is increased to transmit more video data, then data transmission capability is improved, but cost and network resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Video data and other communication streams are segmented into multiple threads that can be transmitted simultaneously over available bandwidth. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of existing network resources by distributing data across multiple parallel paths rather than requiring a single high-bandwidth channel
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds temporal and spatial dimensions to data transmission by utilizing multiple carriers and towers simultaneously. Instead of increasing bandwidth in a single dimension, the patent distributes data across multiple transmission dimensions (different frequency carriers, different geographic towers), effectively increasing capacity without proportionally increasing bandwidth consumption in any single channel
3Reliability
If packet prioritization is implemented based on data importance, then critical data delivery is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different priority levels to different data packets based on their importance. Critical control commands receive higher priority and are transmitted through more reliable paths with higher redundancy, while less critical telemetry data uses standard transmission paths. This localized quality differentiation improves critical data delivery without requiring complex processing of all data uniformly
4Reliability
If multiple data link paths are used to mitigate loss of link, then communication reliability is improved, but system configuration and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-thread communication platform implements self-service capabilities by automatically managing the complexity of multiple data link paths. The system autonomously handles thread creation, carrier selection, tower coordination, and packet routing without requiring manual configuration or intervention. This self-managing architecture improves loss of link mitigation while keeping system operation simple for end users
Data Source
AI summary
This process utilizes multiple threads over multiple paths (towers and/or carriers) in order to improve the above noted problems by dynamically splitting multiple data streams, sending these multiple data streams over multiple data link paths over a cellular network and then combining some or all of the data streams to provide error free availability of relevant data and control while intelligently mitigating bandwidth limitations and “loss of link” or connection, for secure and safe UAS operations. Also described is a process to improve Throughput and/or Reliability of Video data when transmitted over multi-threaded, primarily but not limited to, cellular based communications systems, with a particular emphasis on video used in support of UAS missions.