UAV Modular Redundant Communication Modems for Emergency Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication services can be disrupted by natural or human-induced events, and deploying ground wireless communication support vehicles is often hindered by terrain features, leading to gaps in communication coverage that affect first responders and the public during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network cell equipped with modular communication hardware components that can switch between different communication standards and frequency bands to maintain continuous communication, using modular communication modems that can be installed and removed in a plug-and-play fashion to ensure reliable connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground wireless communication support vehicles are deployed, then wireless communication coverage can be provided in affected areas, but deployment is hindered by terrain features such as steep hills and lack of passable roadways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based communication vehicles to aerial drones, moving the communication infrastructure from the ground plane to the aerial dimension. This allows communication coverage to be provided in areas inaccessible to ground vehicles by operating in three-dimensional space above terrain obstacles such as steep hills and without requiring passable roadways.
2Reliability
If single communication modem is used in UAV network cell, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability is compromised when primary communication channel is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent modems, each capable of operating on different communication channels. This segmentation allows the system to divide communication traffic across multiple modems, so that if one communication channel is disrupted, other modems can maintain connectivity, thereby improving communication reliability without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters by utilizing multiple modems that can operate on different frequency bands, protocols, or transmission modes. This parameter diversity allows the UAV network cell to adapt to varying communication conditions and maintain connectivity by switching between different communication parameters when disruptions occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular communication modems with multiple frequency bands are installed, then adaptability to different communication standards is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages multiple communication modems by activating only the necessary modems based on current communication requirements and signal conditions. This dynamic approach allows the UAV network cell to maintain adaptability to different communication standards while reducing power consumption by keeping unused modems in a low-power or inactive state rather than running all modems continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network cell that uses modular communication modems may be configured to support various communication standards and communication frequency bands. An authentication request from a modular communication modem of a plurality of modular communication modems in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network cell may be received at a core network of a wireless carrier network following an installation of the modular communication modem into the UAV network cell, in response to authenticating that the modular communication modem is authorized to communicate with the core network, the modular communication modem is registered at the core network to handle communication between the UAV network cell and the core network. However, in response to determining that the modular communication modem is not authorized to communicate with the core network, the modular communication modem is disallowed from handling communication between the UAV network cell and the core network.