UAV Cellular Emulation for Emergency Device Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions fail to automatically obtain and analyze vital information from devices in emergency areas with no or limited network access, unable to initiate access, trigger data collection, enable data analysis, determine the number of devices, and initiate dialogue with devices in such areas.
Innovation Solution
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) emulate a cellular network, sending an emergency response trigger message to connected devices, which respond with vital data, allowing the UAV to determine actions based on the received data and establish connectivity for further communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cellular networks are used for emergency communication, then network coverage is available in normal conditions, but network access is lost in disaster areas with no or limited connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
A UAV acts as an intermediary mobile base station between disaster victims and the core network. The UAV deploys a local cellular network in the disaster area, enabling devices to connect to the UAV which then relays data to the core network, solving the connectivity problem in areas where traditional networks fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from ground-based fixed infrastructure to aerial mobile infrastructure. By deploying the base station in three-dimensional space (aerial dimension), the system overcomes ground-based infrastructure failures and reaches disaster areas that are inaccessible or damaged on the ground.
2Ease of operation
If manual data collection methods are used in emergency situations, then communication is possible when devices are within range, but automatic data collection and analysis cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
Devices in the disaster area automatically respond to paging messages from the UAV without requiring manual user action. The system self-organizes by having devices autonomously report their status, location, and needs, enabling automatic data collection and situation assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV sends paging messages to devices and receives automatic responses containing vital information. This feedback loop enables the UAV to collect data from multiple devices, analyze the situation, and determine appropriate rescue actions without manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based digital assistants are used, then AI processing capabilities are available, but internet access is required which is unavailable in disaster areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts essential AI and data processing capabilities from the cloud and implements them locally on the UAV. The UAV contains onboard processing resources that can analyze collected device data and make rescue decisions autonomously, eliminating dependency on external internet connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enabling autonomous emergency assistance for one or more communication device, CD, registered in a regular cellular network. The method is performed in an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and comprises emulating a cellular network in a geographical region, wherein the UAV and the one or more CD are without connectivity with the regular cellular network, sending an information message in the geographical region, the message comprising an emergency response trigger, receiving an automatic emergency data response from the one or more CD in the geographical region, in response to the sent message, and determining an action based on the received automatic emergency data response. A CD, a UAV, a computer program and a computer program product are also presented.