Network Arena Controller Firewall Policies for Robot Communication Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot competitions face challenges with event safety, integrity, flow, and technology due to radio frequency interference, inconsistent radio equipment, and limitations in communication capabilities, leading to safety hazards, re-matches, and difficulties in managing frequency usage and distributing new game rules.
Innovation Solution
A networked robot competition control system that manages communications by using a Network Arena Controller (NAC) to configure robots with firewall policies, limit bandwidth, and enforce quality of service, ensuring secure and controlled communication sessions between operator stations and robots, and allowing for dynamic changes in game rules distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If contestants use mixed radio equipment (model airplane controllers), then radio capability and frequency channels are improved, but RF noise, EMI, co-channel interference, and multipath effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the radio communication parameters by requiring all contestants to use consistent point-to-point radio equipment operating on predetermined frequency channels instead of allowing mixed equipment. This standardization eliminates the harmful RF noise and electromagnetic interference that occur when model airplane controllers transmit at high power levels, while still providing adequate radio capability for robot control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contestants use mixed radio equipment, then radio capability is improved, but co-channel interference and multipath effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns predetermined frequency channels to predetermined contestants and requires consistent radio equipment usage. This parameter standardization prevents co-channel interference by ensuring that each contestant operates on a dedicated frequency channel, eliminating the overlapping transmission issues that occur with model airplane controllers.
3Reliability
If organizers confiscate radio controllers to minimize safety hazards, then safety is improved, but event flow and logistics become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides radio controllers to contestants in advance before the competition event. This preliminary provision eliminates the need for organizers to confiscate and guard radio controllers during the event, simplifying logistics while maintaining safety through the use of standardized equipment with built-in safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables contestants to self-manage their radio controllers throughout the event without requiring organizer intervention or confiscation. The standardized equipment with predetermined frequency channels allows contestants to operate independently while maintaining safety, eliminating the complex logistical burden of radio controller management.
4Reliability
If consistent point-to-point radio equipment is used, then safety and event integrity are improved, but the number of radio channels required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal point-to-point radio equipment that can be shared across multiple contestants through a centralized control system. The field controller manages multiple robots and operators through a single radio channel infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated channels for each contestant while maintaining safety and control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing communications with robots. In some implementations, a computer network, where operators interface with the network to control movement of robots on a wireless computer network includes a network arena controller and a plurality of robot controllers. The network arena controller is configured to provide firewall policies to substantially secure communication between robot controllers and the associated robots. Each controller is included in a different robot and configured to wirelessly communicate with the network arena controller. Each robot controller executes firewall policies to substantially secure wireless communication.