Tethered Drone Power Switching for Emergency Cell Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural disasters can render cellular communication networks unavailable due to inoperable base station transceivers, leading to network outages that can last from minutes to weeks or months, posing risks to user safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
Deploying drones equipped with on-board power systems and base station transceivers, connected to ground-based power and communication systems via tethers, to provide temporary communication functionality and maintain network access until equipment is repaired or replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile communication equipment is deployed to restore network access, then network availability is improved, but deployment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a drone-based mobile base station that can dynamically deploy and reposition itself to provide network coverage. The drone carries complete base station equipment and can be rapidly deployed to disaster areas, changing from a static infrastructure approach to a dynamic mobile solution that can adapt to changing network needs and quickly restore service.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication equipment integrates multiple functions including power generation, signal transmission, and communication capabilities in a single deployable unit. This multi-functional design allows the system to provide comprehensive network restoration without requiring separate deployment of multiple specialized equipment pieces, reducing overall deployment time.
2Reliability
If temporary towers and equipment are deployed, then network service is restored, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the base station transceiver, power system, and communication equipment into an integrated mobile unit mounted on a drone. This merging of previously separate components into a single unified system simplifies deployment operations and reduces the complexity of setting up temporary network infrastructure while maintaining full network restoration capability.
3Area of stationary object
If extensive mobile equipment is deployed, then network coverage is improved, but resource consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile base station on the drone operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active transmission mode and standby mode. This periodic operation allows the system to provide network coverage when needed while conserving energy during non-critical periods, optimizing the balance between coverage area and power consumption for the disaster relief scenario.
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 drone system ensures extended cellular communication functionality during outages, reducing downtime and maintaining user access to emergency services and data services by providing a mobile, reliable communication solution.
Implementation Method 1
The on-board power system may have a battery and be configured to receive power over an air-to-ground power feed
Implementation Method 2
cause the power system to charge the battery using the base power system via the air-to-ground power feed
Data Source
AI summary
A drone may receive power from mobile base station equipment via an air-to-ground power feed during flight, which allows the drone to remain in flight for longer periods of time than relying on battery power alone. The air-to-ground power feed may be included in a tether that includes multiple air-to-ground power feeds or communication feeds. In some cases, the drone is powered by an on-board power system during takeoff and landing sequences to avoid damage to the tether or the drone and/or signal interference within the tether. In some cases, the drone may follow flight patterns during takeoff and landing sequences to avoid damage to the tether or the drone and/or signal interference within the tether.