UAV Subterranean 3D Modeling for Cell Site Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for cell site modeling and maintenance are inefficient and costly, requiring frequent tower climbs by workers, which is dangerous and time-consuming, and conventional site surveys and audits are expensive and labor-intensive, especially with over 200,000 cell sites in the U.S., necessitating a safer and more efficient approach.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for creating three-dimensional (3D) models of cell sites, including subterranean geography, to perform site audits, surveys, and planning, which allows for remote data capture and analysis, reducing the need for physical site visits and utilizing multiple cameras for accurate data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tower climbers perform maintenance and audit work by climbing cell towers, then direct access to equipment is achieved, but safety risks and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces UAVs as intermediary devices to perform maintenance and audit functions from the air, eliminating the need for workers to climb towers. The UAV captures images and data that allow remote inspection of cell tower equipment, thereby improving safety while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of climbing towers with an aerial-based inspection system using UAVs. Instead of physical ascent to access equipment, the system uses unmanned aerial vehicles to capture data from above, substituting mechanical tower climbing with aerial photography and data transmission.
2Measurement precision
If conventional site surveys and audits are performed physically at cell sites, then accurate data collection is achieved, but time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of cell site data through aerial photography and imaging. Instead of physically visiting each site, the system captures visual and spatial data that can be remotely analyzed to create accurate 3D models and survey information, thereby reducing time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-level physical surveying to aerial-based three-dimensional data collection. By capturing images from multiple angles and heights using UAVs, the system creates comprehensive 3D models of cell sites, enabling remote analysis that is both accurate and time-efficient.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras are used for 3D modeling data acquisition, then modeling accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-camera system on UAVs that serves multiple functions: capturing images for 3D modeling, geospatial analysis, and audit documentation. The same aerial platform and camera array perform various surveying and inspection tasks, improving accuracy while managing complexity through integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the risk and cost of cell tower maintenance by enabling safer and faster data collection, improving the accuracy of site surveys and audits, and allowing for real-time monitoring and management of cell sites without repeated physical site visits, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a plurality of images of a cell site including a cell tower and one or more buildings and interiors thereof; process the plurality of images to define a three dimensional (3D) model of the cell site
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include obtaining first data capture for above ground components including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; obtaining second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilizing the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which includes both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; and utilizing the 3D model to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.