Movable Underwater Optical Base Stations for Seamless Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical communication systems face challenges in constructing seamless coverage areas underwater due to the difficulty in appropriately arranging base station apparatuses, leading to dead zones and incomplete coverage.

Innovation Solution

An optical communication system with movable base station apparatuses equipped with movement mechanisms and a management apparatus that determines and designates optimal positions for these stations, enabling the construction of comprehensive underwater coverage areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base station apparatuses are fixed in position, then one-to-one optical communication can be established with high directivity, but coverage areas cannot be seamlessly constructed and dead zones occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station apparatus is equipped with a movement mechanism that enables it to change its position dynamically. This allows the base station to move to optimal locations for maintaining communication coverage, resolving the contradiction between fixed-position reliability and seamless coverage area construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If base station apparatuses are arranged densely to eliminate dead zones, then coverage completeness improves, but arrangement difficulty and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage area completenessVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station apparatus autonomously determines its own position and moves to appropriate locations using its movement mechanism. This self-positioning capability eliminates the need for complex external arrangement processes, reducing system complexity while achieving complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than statically arranging base stations in dense configurations, the system uses dynamic positioning where base stations can move to optimal locations. This reduces the initial arrangement complexity while maintaining coverage completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If base station apparatuses are made movable to enable flexible positioning, then coverage area construction improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbase station structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station apparatus autonomously manages its own positioning and movement, eliminating the need for complex external control systems. This self-service approach justifies the added movement mechanism by reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The base station apparatus is divided into functional modules, with the movement mechanism as a separate component. This modular segmentation allows the communication function to remain simple while adding mobility capability independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4611284A1Optical communication system, base station device, and management device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4611284A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4611284A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4611284A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system performs optical communication underwater. The optical communication system includes: a base station apparatus configured to perform optical communication with a terminal apparatus underwater; and a movement mechanism provided in the base station apparatus or connected with the base station apparatus. The movement mechanism moves the base station apparatus on a water surface and/or underwater.