Terrain-Based Site Viability Assessment for Line-of-Sight Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing site viability assessment methods for objects like solar tracking devices are limited by fixed location measurements, failing to account for varying heights above a fixed location to ensure line of sight with the sun, especially on uneven planetary surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a root finding method to determine the minimum height required for an object to establish a line of sight with a second object, such as the sun, by iteratively refining a search space to converge on the minimum height within a threshold, considering terrain elevation and time-based object locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed location measurements are used to determine sun visibility, then the assessment is simple to perform, but the assessment is incomplete and fails to account for height variations above the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional fixed location measurements to three-dimensional assessment by incorporating height as an additional dimension. The system evaluates sun visibility at multiple elevation levels above the surface, transforming the assessment from a single-point measurement to a volumetric analysis that accounts for vertical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The assessment method becomes dynamic by evaluating visibility across a range of heights rather than a fixed position. The system iteratively tests different elevation levels to determine the minimum height required for sun visibility, allowing the assessment to adapt to varying terrain and object configurations.
2Loss of information
If traditional fixed location measurements are used, then the method is computationally efficient, but it fails to determine the minimum height required for line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces iterative geometric line-of-sight calculations with a trained machine learning model that directly predicts minimum height requirements. This substitution transforms a computationally intensive geometric problem into a rapid inference task, preserving height information while dramatically improving assessment speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary training of the machine learning model using extensive geometric calculations and terrain data. Once trained, the model encapsulates complex height determination logic, enabling rapid predictions without repeating computationally expensive iterative calculations for each new assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed location measurements are performed, then the assessment covers only surface level, but it cannot identify viable sites at elevated positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the assessment from two-dimensional surface mapping to three-dimensional spatial analysis by incorporating vertical elevation as a critical dimension. This enables identification of viable sites at multiple height levels, transforming the solution space from a flat surface to a volumetric region above the terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different assessment criteria to different vertical zones, determining the minimum height required for sun visibility at each specific location. This localized height requirement calculation ensures that each site is evaluated according to its specific terrain characteristics and elevation needs.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining a viable site for a first object and associated method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and memory that stores code executable by the processor to provide various processes. The apparatus includes receiving a digital model of a terrain including a plurality of elements with corresponding elevations within a predetermined area. The first object is configured to be positioned at a predetermined position within the predetermined area. The apparatus also includes determining a location of a second object at a predetermined time. The apparatus further utilizes a root finding method, to determine a minimum height of the first object above the predetermined position to establish a line of sight with the second object at the predetermined time. The apparatus additionally determines whether the minimum height is within a threshold height of the first object and identifies the predetermined position as a viable site for the first object if it is within the threshold height.