Small Cell Roadway Devices for Continuous Mobile Data and Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face limitations in accessing broadband data services due to the limited coverage area of WiFi hotspots, which inhibits continuous data access when users move between locations.
Innovation Solution
A system of small cell data expansion roadway devices (DERs) that provide wireless communication links between mobile devices and backhaul networks, enabling continuous data access by detecting objects, such as vehicles, and communicating their presence to network controllers, thereby extending WiFi coverage along roadways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If WiFi hotspots are used for mobile data access, then data transfer rate and power usage are improved, but coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the roadway into multiple zones with distributed roadway devices (RDs) that each provide localized WiFi coverage. These segmented coverage zones collectively form an extended continuous coverage area along the roadway, allowing mobile devices to access high-speed WiFi data as they move through different zones without experiencing coverage gaps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users move between locations, then mobility is improved, but continuous data access deteriorates due to limited hotspot coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The roadway devices are pre-deployed along the roadway to establish coverage zones before users arrive. As mobile devices move through the roadway, they seamlessly transition between pre-established coverage zones, ensuring continuous data access without interruption. The system proactively maintains connectivity by having coverage ready in advance for moving users.
3Reliability
If traffic control devices detect objects and communicate presence information, then safety and traffic management are improved, but device complexity and communication infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roadway devices perform multiple functions: providing WiFi data access, detecting objects/vehicles, and communicating presence information for traffic safety. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device rather than separate systems, the overall system complexity is reduced while achieving both data access and safety objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
A data expansion system that provides continuum of discrete wireless small cell coverage areas for electronic devices in vehicles includes a set of traffic control devices configured to provide communicate information regarding the presence of an obstruction in a vehicle or pedestrian path. The system includes a first traffic control device configured to communicate with an electronic device in a first vehicle. The system also includes a second traffic control device communicatively coupled to the first traffic control device. The second traffic control device is configured to detect a presence of an object. The second traffic control device also is configured to communicate the presence of the object to at least one of: a network controller, the first traffic control device, or another traffic control device.