RF Coverage Mapping via Aircraft RSSI and GPS Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing the RF coverage area of ARINC VHF Data Link Mode 2 (VDLM2) ground stations are inadequate, as simulations do not account for operational issues like multipath and physical obstructions, and rely on limited and expensive dedicated flight data collection.
Innovation Solution
A network analysis system that receives operating data from aircraft, extracts position and signal strength information, and generates graphical RF coverage maps to verify and improve the accuracy of predicted coverage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simulations are used to estimate RF coverage area, then ground station deployment can be planned in advance, but the coverage predictions do not account for operational issues like multipath and physical obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simulations to perform preliminary ground station deployment planning before actual installation. The simulation model predicts RF coverage areas based on ground station locations, allowing planners to optimize ground station placement in advance while accounting for terrain and potential obstructions, thus resolving the contradiction between early deployment planning and accurate coverage prediction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where actual RF coverage measurements from deployed ground stations are compared against simulation predictions. This feedback loop allows the system to refine and update the simulation model to better account for real-world operational issues like multipath effects and physical obstructions, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the benefits of preliminary planning
2Measurement precision
If dedicated flight data collection is used to verify RF coverage, then accurate coverage characterization can be obtained, but the cost and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes aircraft participate in RF coverage verification as part of their normal operations rather than requiring dedicated coverage testing flights. The system collects RF signal strength data from aircraft during routine flights, transforming regular operational data into valuable coverage verification information, thus eliminating the need for separate dedicated flight campaigns and reducing both time and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables aircraft to self-report their position and RF signal strength measurements automatically during normal operations. The aircraft's existing navigation and communication systems are utilized to collect coverage data without requiring special instrumentation or dedicated testing procedures, allowing continuous passive data collection that significantly reduces time and resource requirements compared to traditional active measurement campaigns
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for producing radio-frequency (RF) coverage maps for networks of ground stations. The coverage maps are produced from ground station log files that are generated for a particular network of RF radio stations, including an ARINC VHF Data Link Mode 2 (VDLM2) Network. A coverage map regarding interactive communications between aircraft and various ground stations at a particular location therefrom is generated based on actual available operating data including geographic locating of an aircraft, which may be according to Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system data or other aircraft geolocating data, and Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurements for the data exchange with the aircraft. Collected and/or recovered actual available operating data may be massaged to determine an actual coverage map, which may map the RSSI measurements to associated aircraft geographic locations to provide indications of relative signal strengths at various points around the particular location.