Vehicle-Based Data Transmission Extender for 5G Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular network technologies face poor coverage and blockage issues, particularly in remote areas and high-blockage zones, where 5G networks are more susceptible to interference, leading to limited communication capabilities in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-based data transmission extender system that uses vehicle-mounted transceivers to relay signals and extend cellular network coverage by establishing communication between a fixed base station and mobile devices, utilizing signal detectors and data meters to track and optimize data flow, and leveraging machine learning to identify effective coverage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 5G networks are deployed to provide high-speed data service, then network bandwidth and speed are improved, but coverage area is reduced and blockage susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vehicle-based data transmission extenders as intermediary devices that relay 5G signals between base stations and mobile devices in coverage areas. These extenders mounted on vehicles act as mobile signal amplifiers, extending the effective coverage of 5G networks into remote and blockage-prone areas without requiring additional fixed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static base station coverage to dynamic mobile coverage by deploying signal extenders on moving vehicles. This allows the coverage area to adapt and move with traffic patterns, providing dynamic extension of 5G coverage to areas that would otherwise be dead zones.
2Area of stationary object
If additional base stations are deployed to extend coverage to remote areas, then coverage area is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying additional fixed base stations, the patent uses vehicle-mounted extenders as mobile intermediaries that relay signals from existing base stations. This approach extends coverage without adding permanent infrastructure, reducing system complexity while expanding service area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates mobile copies of base station functionality by deploying extenders on vehicles. These portable units replicate the signal transmission capabilities of fixed base stations, providing coverage extension without requiring duplicate permanent infrastructure.
3Reliability
If vehicle-based extenders are deployed to extend coverage, then coverage reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic detection of mobile devices by signal detectors on vehicles to trigger extender activation. Rather than continuous operation, extenders are activated periodically when needed, reducing energy consumption while maintaining coverage reliability when devices are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where signal detectors detect mobile devices and trigger extender activation. This feedback-driven operation ensures extenders only consume energy when coverage extension is actually needed, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods for improving cellular network coverage using a vehicle-based data transmission extender. One such generalized method includes establishing communication between a fixed base station of a cellular network and a first wireless device, which includes a data transmission module that is part of a first vehicle. Data is relayed between the fixed base station and a second wireless device using the first wireless device to extend geographic coverage of the cellular network to the second wireless device. The method also includes at least one of: detecting, using a signal detector, a signal emitted from the second wireless device, the signal detector being part of the first vehicle; and tracking, using a data meter, an amount of data relayed via the first wireless device between the fixed base station and the second wireless device over the cellular network, the data meter being part of the first vehicle.