Radio Transceiver Siting with Terrain-Based Installation Height Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining optimal installation locations and heights of access points and subscriber modules in wireless networks are inefficient and lack a comprehensive, user-friendly approach for planning and installation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing high-performance computing units, such as CPUs and GPUs, processes elevation and terrain data to calculate preferred installation heights and locations for subscriber modules and access points, considering factors like Fresnel zones and obstructions, providing interactive heat maps for efficient site planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to determine access point locations and subscriber module heights, then installation can proceed with basic terrain considerations, but the determination process is inefficient and lacks comprehensive planning capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the geographical area into a grid of multiple locations, allowing independent analysis and determination of preferred installation heights for each location. This segmentation enables parallel processing and comprehensive coverage of the service area without overwhelming computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of preferred installation heights for all potential locations before actual installation begins. By pre-determining optimal heights based on terrain data and radio propagation models, the system eliminates the need for trial installations and measurements during the deployment phase.
2Measurement precision
If trial radio transmissions are used to determine preferred installation height, then basic signal strength information can be obtained, but the process requires physical installation and measurement iterations
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates preferred installation heights using radio propagation models and terrain data before any physical installation occurs. This preliminary determination eliminates the need for iterative trial installations and on-site measurements, significantly reducing deployment time while maintaining measurement precision through computational modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model of the geographical area with terrain elevation data and uses computational algorithms to simulate radio propagation. This virtual copy allows for accurate prediction of signal strength and optimal height determination without requiring physical trial installations.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive terrain and obstruction analysis is performed for all locations, then accurate preferred height determination is achieved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the service area into a grid of discrete locations and processes each location independently. This segmentation allows for comprehensive terrain and obstruction analysis at each point while enabling parallel computation, thereby maintaining high accuracy without overwhelming computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs analysis for all potential locations within the service area, even though not all locations will ultimately be selected for installation. This excessive action ensures that the most optimal location is identified with high precision, as the comprehensive analysis provides accurate preferred heights for every possible site.
4Productivity
If manual determination methods are used for access point siting, then installation flexibility is maintained, but planning efficiency and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic, location-specific preferred height recommendations based on real-time terrain data and radio propagation calculations. This dynamic approach maintains installation flexibility by allowing operators to select from multiple viable locations and heights, while the automated computational engine significantly improves planning efficiency compared to manual methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A respective preferred installation height above ground level is determined for each of a plurality of locations for a subscriber module for receiving a radio link from an access point in a wireless network, the access point having a given height above ground level and a specified location, and the subscriber module being situated within a given geographical area including the location of the access point. The method comprises accessing elevation data for the given geographical area, processing the elevation data to generate a preferred height data file representing a preferred height for a subscriber module to be wirelessly visible by the access point at each of the plurality of locations and processing the required height data file to provide output data indicating the preferred height of the subscriber module as a function of location.