Portable Radio Repeater Magazine Ejection for Disaster Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, including radio repeaters, are ineffective in severe disaster conditions such as terrorist attacks or earthquakes, where building infrastructure is damaged, leading to poor communication between emergency personnel and their supervisors, and inadequate tracking and location of personnel within buildings.

Innovation Solution

A portable radio repeater system with a controller that automatically switches between passive and active modes based on received signal strength, coupled with a portable magazine that ejects repeaters to create a dynamic network in adverse conditions, using a transceiver, signal strength logic, and environmental sensors to enhance communication and location tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed radio repeater systems are installed in buildings, then communication coverage is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to infrastructure damage and traffic overload in disaster conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to disaster conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the communication coverage function into multiple portable repeater units that can be independently deployed throughout a building. Each repeater operates autonomously, creating a distributed network that avoids single points of failure and can adapt to infrastructure damage by routing communications through available units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The repeater system transitions from static fixed installations to dynamic portable units that can be rapidly deployed and repositioned. The repeaters automatically activate based on detected signal conditions, creating a flexible network that adapts to changing disaster conditions and infrastructure availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If portable repeaters are manually deployed, then communication coverage can be established, but response time is delayed and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoiddeployment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater units are equipped with automatic activation capabilities that detect signal strength and communicate needs without human intervention. When signal degradation is detected, the system autonomously triggers deployment sequences, eliminating the need for operators to manually assess conditions and deploy each unit individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Repeaters are pre-positioned in portable magazines ready for immediate deployment. The system performs preliminary assessments of communication needs and has deployment mechanisms pre-configured, allowing rapid response when disaster conditions arise without requiring complex real-time decision-making or manual setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automatic ejection mechanisms are used to deploy repeaters, then deployment speed is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidmagazine mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical ejection mechanisms with simpler electromechanical or electronically-controlled deployment methods. Motors, solenoids, or other electrically-actuated mechanisms provide controlled ejection of repeaters from magazines, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining deployment speed and enabling precise control over the ejection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If repeaters operate continuously in active mode, then communication coverage is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Repeaters operate in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power monitoring mode and active transmission mode. The units continuously monitor signal conditions in a passive state and only activate fully when communication needs are detected, thereby maintaining communication availability while significantly reducing average power consumption during extended operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8019278B2Wireless communication system, portable radio repeater and magazine therefor

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A wireless communication system and portable radio repeater are described. The system includes a portable magazine having multiple portable radio repeaters disposed therein. One or more of the repeaters are automatically or manually ejected based on a received signal strength measurement. Once ejected, each repeater communicates from the ejected location, automatically switching between passive and active receive modes based on received signal strength. The repeater has a sensor to transmit environmental data or a visual or audible locator. The magazine has a dispensing mechanism with a mechanical or electro-mechanical release mechanism that holds the repeater to be ejected in a substantially fixed position. The dispensing mechanism detects when the repeater switches to the active mode and dispenses the repeater in response thereto, as well as detecting the number repeaters remaining within the magazine and communicating this information.