Temporospatial Maritime Mesh Networking With High-Altitude Platforms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maritime networks face challenges in providing continuous data connectivity and coverage to nautical or aerospace vehicles traveling at varying distances from land, especially when they are out of range of terrestrial nodes, leading to increased latency and cost.
Innovation Solution
A maritime mesh network utilizing a combination of aerospace and maritime nodes, including balloons, airplanes, and terrestrial nodes, forms dynamic links using free-space optical communication to maintain connectivity, with a network controller determining optimal configurations based on client and node locations, trajectories, and traffic patterns to adjust node positions for robust communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terrestrial nodes are used for maritime network coverage, then network infrastructure cost is reduced, but coverage continuity is lost when vehicles travel beyond terrestrial range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces maritime nodes (unmanned surface vessels) and aerospace nodes (high-altitude platforms, satellites) as intermediary elements to extend network coverage beyond terrestrial nodes. These intermediaries relay communications between terrestrial infrastructure and mobile clients, ensuring continuous coverage when vehicles travel beyond terrestrial range while maintaining cost-effectiveness through selective deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into multiple tiers: terrestrial nodes for coastal coverage, maritime nodes for intermediate oceanic zones, and aerospace nodes for remote maritime regions. This segmentation allows each node type to operate within its optimal range, ensuring coverage continuity without requiring expensive universal terrestrial infrastructure deployment.
2Area of stationary object
If aerospace nodes are deployed to extend coverage, then coverage area is increased, but network complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network configuration where the controller continuously monitors client locations and adjusts node assignments in real-time. Aerospace nodes are deployed and positioned dynamically based on predicted client trajectories and current network conditions, allowing coverage area expansion without permanent complex infrastructure in all regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as node transmission power, antenna beam directions, and link establishment criteria based on real-time conditions. This allows the network to adapt coverage area and complexity levels dynamically, deploying aerospace nodes only when and where needed rather than maintaining fixed high-complexity infrastructure everywhere.
3Loss of time
If static network configuration is used, then network management is simplified, but latency increases when nodes must be repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by predicting client trajectories and pre-positioning maritime and aerospace nodes along anticipated routes before clients arrive. This proactive configuration minimizes latency by ensuring nodes are already in optimal positions when clients enter coverage zones, rather than reacting after connectivity is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the controller monitors actual client positions, link quality, and node performance, then adjusts network configuration in real-time. This closed-loop control reduces latency by dynamically optimizing routing and node positions based on current conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making.
4Reliability
If manual node positioning is used, then operational cost is reduced, but network robustness against obstructions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where nodes autonomously perform positioning and orientation adjustments based on controller instructions. Maritime nodes use their own propulsion systems to move to commanded positions, and aerospace nodes adjust their orientation and location autonomously, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining robustness against obstructions through automated repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical positioning with automated electronic control and actuation. Nodes receive electronic commands from the controller and use their integrated propulsion and steering systems to self-position, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electromechanical systems that reduce operational costs while improving response time and robustness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces latency and cost by providing continuous coverage and additional bandwidth, enhances network robustness against obstructions, and adapts to changing vehicle locations, ensuring efficient data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
forms dynamic links using free-space optical communication to maintain connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
A maritime network provides network coverage for nautical or aerospace vehicles traveling over the sea. Generating the network configuration for the maritime network includes receiving client information for client devices in range of a given node of the maritime network for a period of time that the client devices are traveling asea, as well as location information for the period of time from a plurality of nodes in the network including the given node. Based on the client information and the location information, a network configuration is determined to include a plurality of links to be formed for routing paths through the maritime network. The routing paths are configured to transmit data related to the client devices, and the plurality of links includes a link between the given node and another node in the network that is within a maximum distance from the given node.