Unmanned Vehicle Ephemeral Network Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There are geographic areas lacking sufficient network connectivity due to high costs of deploying fiber-based access, spotty coverage from existing radio-based networks, unreliable satellite connectivity, and insufficient edge computing capacity to meet quality-of-service requirements.
Innovation Solution
Unmanned vehicles (UVs) equipped with portable radio units and edge computing capacity are deployed to provide network connectivity and computing resources, acting as base stations or repeaters, and can travel to optimize coverage and service multiple customers, offering ephemeral network resources based on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber-based network access is deployed in geographic areas, then network connectivity quality is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs portable radio units that can be rapidly deployed and moved to provide temporary network coverage in underserved areas. These units are designed to be cost-effective, temporary solutions rather than permanent fiber infrastructure, allowing network coverage to be provided at lower cost while maintaining acceptable connectivity quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces portable radio units as intermediary devices between existing network infrastructure and end users in hard-to-reach areas. These units act as mobile base stations that relay network traffic, providing fiber-like connectivity quality without requiring actual fiber deployment to remote locations.
2Area of stationary object
If existing radio-based networks are expanded to cover more areas, then geographic coverage is improved, but network capacity and quality of service deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network coverage area into multiple zones served by different portable radio units. Each unit provides focused, high-capacity coverage to its local area rather than one unit attempting to serve a vast region, thereby maintaining network quality while expanding overall geographic coverage through coordinated deployment of multiple segmented units.
3Ease of operation
If satellite connectivity is used in remote areas, then network access is improved, but reliability and quality of service worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses portable radio units as intermediary devices that connect to reliable terrestrial network infrastructure and provide localized high-quality service to end users. This intermediary approach avoids the reliability issues of direct satellite connectivity while maintaining the ease of access benefit, as users can connect to nearby portable units rather than relying on satellite links.
4Adaptability or versatility
If UVs are deployed to provide ephemeral network resources, then adaptability and response to demand are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated systems where portable radio units and UVs can self-deploy, self-configure, and self-manage based on detected network demand. The system uses automated provisioning and orchestration to allocate resources dynamically without requiring complex manual coordination, thereby achieving high adaptability while keeping operational complexity manageable through self-service capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments that provide demand-based allocation of ephemeral radio-based network resources. In one embodiment, a determination is made that an unmanned vehicle has unallocated computing capacity along a travel path. At least a portion of the unallocated computing capacity is provisioned for use by a customer for a time period as the unmanned vehicle progresses on the travel path.