Dual-Network UAV Control Using Cellular and WiFi Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges with interference and service quality due to the use of non-authorized frequency bands in WIFI protocols, which affects the reliability of control signaling and data transmission.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a cellular network connection for control signaling and a WIFI network connection for data transmission, allowing UAVs to perform operations like take-off, landing, and data acquisition with improved service quality and faster data rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If WIFI protocol is used for control signaling transmission, then data transmission rate is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to interference and channel occupation in non-authorized frequency bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication functions into two separate networks: cellular network for control signaling and WIFI network for data transmission. This segmentation allows each network to be optimized for its specific function, with cellular providing reliable control and WIFI providing fast data transfer, thereby resolving the contradiction between transmission rate and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary that receives control signaling from the controller via cellular network, processes it, and then forwards instructions to the UAV. This intermediary structure ensures that control commands are transmitted reliably through the cellular network while data can still be transmitted at high speeds through the WIFI network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cellular network is used for control signaling transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but data transmission rate deteriorates compared to WIFI

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments communication tasks by assigning control signaling to the cellular network and data transmission to the WIFI network. This allows control commands to be transmitted reliably through cellular while large data payloads are transmitted at high speeds through WIFI, resolving the speed-reliability trade-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication parameters by selecting different networks for different types of data: cellular network parameters are optimized for reliable control signaling with higher priority and quality of service, while WIFI parameters are optimized for high-speed data transfer, thereby achieving both reliability and speed requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If dual-network connection is established, then both control reliability and data transmission rate are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol and data transmission qualityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the UAV communication system multi-functional by enabling it to connect to and operate on two different networks simultaneously. The system can perform control signaling through cellular network and data transmission through WIFI network, achieving universal communication capability that resolves the contradiction between transmission quality and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3661320B1Method and apparatus for controlling controllable device
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3661320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3661320B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3661320B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for controlling a controllable device. The method comprises: establishing a cellular network connection to a base station after a boot operation is completed; establishing a wireless fidelity (WIFI) network connection to a control device for controlling the controllable device after establishing the cellular network connection to the base station; and transmitting control signaling to the base station by means of the cellular network connection, and transmitting data to the control device by means of the WIFI network connection; wherein the controllable device is a multimode controllable device that supports both a cellular communication system and a WIFI communication system simultaneously. The present disclosure can transmit control signaling of the controllable device by means of a cellular network with high service quality and transmit data by means of a WIFI network with a fast transmission speed, thereby achieving efficient transmissions of control signaling and data of the controllable device.