UAV Relay for Mobile Network Congestion Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of devices connected to the Internet increases, network channels become congested, leading to reduced data speeds and reliability, necessitating a solution to provide alternate network channels for relieving congestion.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to relay data between user devices and network access points, establishing a direct line of sight connection to improve data speeds and reliability by reducing the load on congested access points and providing alternate network channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more devices are connected to the Internet, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but network channels become congested leading to reduced data speeds and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a backend system as an intermediary that monitors network conditions across multiple access points and intelligently routes device connections to less congested channels. This mediator coordinates between devices and access points, preventing direct connection to congested channels while maintaining overall network coverage and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal and informational dimension to network connection management by implementing real-time monitoring of network conditions and dynamically selecting access points based on current congestion levels. This transforms the static network connection model into a dynamic multi-dimensional selection process that considers traffic load, data speeds, and reliability metrics across multiple dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more devices are connected to the Internet, then network coverage is expanded, but data speeds are reduced due to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The backend system acts as an intelligent intermediary that monitors data speeds across multiple access points and routes device connections through optimal channels. By mediating the connection process, the system ensures devices connect to access points with higher available bandwidth, maintaining data speeds even as overall network coverage expands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic access point selection where the backend system continuously monitors network conditions and adjusts connection routing in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to changing traffic patterns, ensuring devices are always connected through the fastest available path while maintaining expanded coverage.
3Ease of operation
If devices connect directly to the nearest access point, then connection simplicity is maintained, but congestion at that access point increases reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The backend system serves as an invisible intermediary that handles the complexity of access point selection while maintaining simplicity for end devices. Devices simply connect to any available access point, and the backend automatically routes them through optimal paths, preserving connection simplicity while enhancing reliability through intelligent load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service load balancing where the backend automatically monitors congestion levels and redirects connections without user intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains connection simplicity for users while dynamically optimizing for reliability by automatically selecting less congested access points.
4Device complexity
If a single network access point is used, then device complexity is reduced, but network congestion increases reducing data speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple access points distributed across different locations, each handling a portion of the total traffic load. This segmentation prevents any single access point from becoming a bottleneck, maintaining simple device architecture while achieving higher aggregate data speeds through parallel traffic distribution across multiple segmented access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the network architecture by deploying access points across multiple locations rather than relying on a single centralized point. This dimensional expansion allows traffic to be distributed across multiple spatial paths, reducing congestion at any single location while maintaining simple device connectivity options.
Data Source
AI summary
Various arrangements for managing network channels are presented. A backend system can receive data from one or more data sources. Based at least in part on the data received from the one or more data sources, a triggering event and a location related to the triggering event can be determined. Location data associated with the location related to the triggering event can be transmitted to a UAV and the UAV deployed. While the UAV is deployed at the location, the UAV can relay data between wireless devices, such as cellular phones, and a network access point, such as a cellular base station.