Uncrewed Vehicle Connectivity Switching for Reliable Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for improving the reliability of remote control of uncrewed vehicles using multiple wireless networks consume excessive energy and radio resources by sending navigational control data simultaneously through multiple networks, which can degrade battery life and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
An uncrewed vehicle equipped with the ability to establish simultaneous connections to at least two wireless networks, utilizing a connectivity control function to monitor and switch the control data connection to the network providing better quality-of-service, thereby reducing the need for continuous dual transmission and optimizing radio resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data packets are sent via multiple mobile networks in parallel, then the reliability of remote control is improved, but energy consumption and radio resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by sending only critical navigational control data through multiple networks simultaneously,่้all data. Less critical data is sent through a single network, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliability for essential control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating transmission quality across different data types. Critical control data receives high-reliability multi-network transmission, while non-critical data uses standard single-network transmission, optimizing energy usage based on local data importance
2Reliability
If all data packets are sent via multiple mobile networks in parallel, then the reliability of remote control is improved, but radio resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by limiting multi-network transmission to only critical navigational control data packets, while sending other data through a single network. This reduces overall radio resource consumption while maintaining reliability for essential control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different transmission strategies to different data types. Critical control data receives multi-network transmission for high reliability, while non-critical data uses single-network transmission, optimizing radio resource allocation based on local data importance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV moves to the edges of mobile network coverage, then operational flexibility is improved, but connectivity quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing connections to multiple mobile networks before the UAV reaches coverage edges. This creates a buffer that maintains connectivity quality even when moving to areas with potentially degraded signal strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a selection mechanism that monitors connectivity quality across multiple networks and dynamically switches or loads balances traffic. This intermediary layer protects against degradation at coverage edges by routing traffic through networks with better signal quality
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an uncrewed vehicle, such as a drone, which is capable of establishing simultaneous data connections to at least two wireless networks. A navigational control system may provide navigation instructions to the uncrewed vehicle via a control data connection established via a first wireless network. The invention further relates to a connectivity control function for controlling network connectivity of the uncrewed vehicle. For that purpose, the connectivity control function may obtain data indicative of a quality-of-service which the first wireless network provides for the control data connection. If it is determined that a second wireless network provides better quality-of-service, the connectivity control function may send a connectivity control instruction to the uncrewed vehicle to switch the control data connection from the first wireless network to the second wireless network.