Communication Structures for UAV Delivery Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for delivery in disaster scenarios poses communication challenges, particularly in maintaining low-latency communication links over long distances and in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining a communication structure that links a set of delivery UAVs with a base unit, using a minimum number of communication UAVs positioned at transitory static positions along delivery routes, which supports communication regions and dynamically adjusts to changes in UAV routes and numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If delivery UAVs operate over larger distances, then delivery range is extended, but communication latency increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication UAVs as intermediary nodes between delivery UAVs and the base station. These communication UAVs relay data packets, enabling delivery UAVs to maintain communication over extended distances without directly connecting to the base station, thus preserving communication reliability while extending delivery range.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is segmented into multiple hops through communication UAVs rather than requiring a direct long-range connection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended delivery range by breaking down the communication task into manageable segments, each maintaining reliable connectivity.
2Reliability
If communication UAVs are deployed to extend coverage, then communication reliability improves, but system complexity and number of required UAVs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. Communication UAVs are deployed and positioned adaptively based on real-time delivery routes and coverage requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain communication reliability while minimizing the number of communication UAVs needed at any given time, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters such as communication UAV positions, deployment numbers, and routing paths dynamically based on delivery mission requirements. This allows optimization of communication reliability for each specific scenario without unnecessarily increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication structure is dynamically reconfigured, then adaptability to changing environments improves, but computational requirements and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations and pre-planning for communication UAV deployment based on anticipated delivery routes and environmental conditions. By preparing communication structures in advance for expected scenarios, the system can rapidly adapt to changing environments without excessive reconfiguration time during actual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication structure uses feedback mechanisms to monitor environmental changes and delivery UAV positions in real-time. This feedback enables incremental, targeted reconfigurations rather than complete system redesigns, reducing the time and computational resources needed for adaptation while maintaining high environmental adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a method for determining a communication structure to communicatively link a set of delivery unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, with a base unit, the communication structure defined by a minimum number of communication UAVs positioned relative to a set of delivery routes of the delivery UAVs at multiple transitory static positions, wherein a communication UAV at a transitory static position supports a communication region, comprises determining a subset of delivery UAVs outside of a communication region of a first communication UAV at a first transitory static position, the subset of delivery UAVs representing a number of unsupported delivery UAVs that are not communicatively linked, via the first communication UAV, to the base unit supplementing the number of communication UAVs with a second communication UAV, and selecting a second transitory static position for the second communication UAV, the second transitory static position minimising a metric representing a number of unsupported delivery UAVs.