Network Diversity Transceiver for Long Distance Airborne Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long distance communication between airborne transceivers is hindered by slow multi-path fading and ducting phenomena, making it challenging to maintain reliable and efficient communication due to the distance dependency of propagation path gain, which previous solutions, such as multiple antennas or spread spectrum techniques, often fail to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
The method involves synchronizing communications resources between a main node and an auxiliary node, generating and transmitting main and auxiliary signals to establish network diversity, allowing the auxiliary node to re-transmit signals to the destination node, thereby optimizing transmission conditions and improving communication efficiency even at lower frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas or spread spectrum techniques are used to combat multi-path fading, then communication reliability should improve, but these solutions are ineffective due to the slow fading process in long distance communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary to establish an indirect communication path between source and destination. This mediator node receives signals from the source, processes them, and forwards them to the destination, creating additional signal paths that experience different fading conditions than the direct path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the communication architecture from a single-hop direct link to a multi-hop networked structure. By adding spatial dimensionality through intermediate relay nodes, the system creates diverse transmission paths that traverse different propagation environments, thereby achieving fading diversity without relying on multiple antennas at single nodes.
2Length of stationary object
If communication is performed over long distances, then operational range is extended, but slow multi-path fading and ducting phenomena degrade transmission quality
Solution Approach 1:
Relay nodes are positioned at intermediate locations along the long-distance path, breaking the single long-hop transmission into multiple shorter hops. Each hop experiences different propagation conditions, and the relay nodes enable signal regeneration and forwarding, thereby maintaining transmission quality over extended distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The long-distance communication link is segmented into multiple shorter communication segments separated by relay nodes. Each segment can be optimized independently, and the segmentation allows the system to overcome the distance-dependent slow fading by creating multiple independent transmission paths through different geographic regions.
3Reliability
If network diversity is established using auxiliary nodes, then communication reliability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay nodes are designed to operate autonomously, performing signal reception, processing, and retransmission without requiring complex centralized control. Each node independently manages its own communication resources and makes local decisions about signal forwarding, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining diversity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay nodes are designed as multi-functional units that can perform multiple roles: receiving signals from sources, processing and regenerating signals, forwarding to destinations, and potentially acting as sources or destinations themselves. This universality reduces the need for specialized equipment and simplifies network architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method in a main node(210) for communication with a destination node (220) over long distances, the method comprising the steps of synchronizing the use of at least one communications resource (270) with an auxiliary node (230), and also generating a main signal (240) and an auxiliary signal (250) from an information quantity, as well as transmitting the main signal (240) to the destination node (220) by the at least one synchronized communications resource, and also transmitting the auxiliary signal (250) to the auxiliary node (230) by the at least one synchronized communications resource.