Unmanned Vehicle Nodes for Remote Network Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods lack effective network data connectivity in remote areas such as forestry and plantations, where physical travel is often necessary to communicate with field workers and devices, due to the absence of infrastructure and challenging terrain.
Innovation Solution
Unmanned vehicles (UVs) are employed as wireless nodes in a mesh network to provide both online and offline data connectivity, using terrestrial and aerial UVs that can establish connectivity with terminals, including sensors and end-user devices, and relay data through fixed or mobile nodes to operations offices, enabling secure and bidirectional communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional communication methods are used in remote areas, then physical travel is necessary to communicate with field workers and devices, but this increases time consumption and operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces UV nodes as intermediary devices that relay communication between remote terminals and the network. These UV nodes act as mobile communication relays, receiving data from terminals in remote areas and forwarding it to the network infrastructure, thereby eliminating the need for physical travel while maintaining communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel with an electromagnetic communication system. By using UV nodes equipped with wireless communication capabilities, the system substitutes the need for physical movement with electromagnetic signal transmission, achieving communication without physical travel
2Reliability
If UV nodes are deployed to provide network connectivity in remote areas, then data connectivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV nodes are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as communication relays, provide network connectivity, and can potentially perform other tasks such as data collection or environmental monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby managing system complexity while improving network reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mobile UV nodes that can dynamically position themselves to optimize communication coverage in remote areas. This dynamic deployment allows the system to adapt to varying terrain and communication requirements without requiring a fixed, complex infrastructure, thereby improving network reliability while managing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned vehicle (UV) system provides network data connectivity for terminals. UV nodes in the system may transmit and receive terminal data in a network of UV nodes and other nodes according to a routing protocol. The nodes may include fixed nodes or UV nodes with a wired or wireless network connection to a destination terminal. A UV node may receive data from a source terminal for transmission to the destination terminal, and when the UV node is within range of a node in the network connected the destination terminal, the UV node transmits the received data to the node within range for forwarding to the destination terminal via the network.