Weather Drone Sensor Cutoff for Corrupt Data Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weather drones often record and store large volumes of corrupt data due to sensor malfunctions, leading to significant time and computational resource wastage in processing and handling such data, and may not reliably transmit data due to environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A weather drone equipped with a processor that analyzes data in real-time, preventing further storage if it exceeds or falls below threshold values, and optionally sending a message to a base station for instructions, which can initiate a return to base flight mode or turn off malfunctioning sensors to conserve resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drone continuously records and stores weather data from sensors, then more complete weather data is captured, but significant time and computational resources are wasted processing corrupt data from malfunctioning sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs preliminary analysis of sensor data in real-time during flight, checking for corrupt readings before they are stored in memory. This preliminary action prevents corrupt data from being saved, eliminating the need for later processing and validation of bad data on the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring sensor data quality and comparing readings against expected ranges. When corrupt data is detected, the processor provides feedback to stop recording from that sensor, creating a closed-loop quality control system that adapts to sensor malfunction in real-time.
2Quantity of substance
If the drone stores large volumes of weather data in on-board memory, then comprehensive weather information is captured, but computational resources and power are consumed handling and processing the data
Solution Approach 1:
Data filtering and validation are performed preliminarily during the recording phase rather than after storage. The processor evaluates each data point in real-time and prevents corrupt or out-of-range values from occupying memory space, reducing the total data volume that requires subsequent processing and transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes corrupt data elements during the recording process, separating valid weather data from sensor malfunction readings. This extraction prevents bad data from being stored in the first place, reducing the overall data burden on memory and subsequent processing systems.
3Loss of time
If the drone returns to base frequently to transfer stored data, then data can be analyzed promptly, but flight time is reduced and more computational resources are needed for data handling
Solution Approach 1:
Data quality validation and filtering are performed preliminarily during the flight mission itself, rather than requiring post-mission processing. This preliminary processing ensures that only valid data is stored, reducing the need for frequent return trips and extensive ground-based computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone performs self-service data validation and quality control autonomously during flight using its onboard processor. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external computational resources to filter and validate data after retrieval, reducing the burden on ground-based systems and allowing longer uninterrupted flight durations.
Data Source
AI summary
A weather drone comprising: a first sensor configured to repeatedly measure one or more parameters indicative of weather; a memory coupled to the first sensor and configured to store data recorded by the first sensor, the data comprising a series of repeatedly measured parameters; and a processor coupled to the first sensor and the memory. The processor is configured to analyse the data as it is being recorded by the first sensor, and determine if the data exceeds a first threshold value and/or falls below a second threshold value. If the processor determines that the data exceeds the first threshold value and/or falls below the second threshold value on at least one occasion, the processor is configured to prevent the storage of further data from the first sensor in the memory.