Wireless Network Availability for Moving Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile networks often experience incomplete geographic coverage, leading to disrupted data communication when a user moves into areas with poor signal, such as tunnels, and existing solutions like power-cycling to switch between 3G and 4G networks can result in significant connectivity losses and fail to utilize the best available connection.
Innovation Solution
A method of processing spatial and temporal parameters associated with stored data items to determine the accuracy of communications network properties at specific locations and times, allowing for the generation of sub-data items that improve the resolution and quality of data representation, enabling efficient maintenance of data across spatial regions without uniform density and switching between network protocols to use the best available connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power-cycling is used to force a full network availability search, then network protocol switching capability is improved, but connectivity loss time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring network signal strength and quality indicators before complete disconnection occurs. When signal quality deteriorates below a threshold, the system proactively initiates network protocol switching or alternative base station connection attempts, preventing total connectivity loss rather than waiting for complete signal failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network signal strength, quality indicators, and connection status. This real-time feedback enables the communication control unit to dynamically adjust network protocol selection and switch between 3G and 4G networks based on current conditions, optimizing connectivity without requiring power-cycling.
2Area of stationary object
If the vehicle connects to available base stations along the route, then geographic coverage is improved, but network coverage holes still cause disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential connectivity loss by maintaining monitoring of signal quality trends and having alternative network protocols ready. When entering areas with poor coverage, the system cushiones against complete disconnection by proactively switching to alternative protocols or preparing handover procedures before signal loss occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by continuously monitoring signal strength and quality, and automatically switching between different network protocols (3G, 4G) and alternative base stations. This dynamic response ensures reliable connectivity even when passing through coverage holes where static connection methods would fail.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple SIMs are carried for different mobile networks, then geographic coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication control unit performs multiple functions including network protocol switching, base station selection, signal quality monitoring, and connection management. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate SIM cards and management systems into a single intelligent unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad geographic coverage.
4Productivity
If 4G network is used when available, then data throughput is improved, but network availability decreases in areas with only 3G coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters by dynamically switching between different network protocols (3G and 4G) based on current signal availability and quality. When 4G networks are available, the system utilizes them for higher throughput; when only 3G coverage exists, it seamlessly transitions to 3G protocol, ensuring continuous connectivity and reliable network availability across all geographic areas.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of storing data indicating a property of a communications network, the method comprising obtaining a stored data item associated with at least part of a spatial region and having an associated spatial parameter and an associated temporal parameter. The stored data item indicates a property of the communications network. The method further comprises receiving second data indicating a property of said communications network at a particular location in said spatial region at a particular time; and processing said spatial parameter, said temporal parameter, data indicating said particular location and data indicating said particular time. The method further comprises, based upon said processing, generating first and second sub-data items, each of said first and second sub-data items having an associated spatial parameter and an associated temporal parameter, at least one of the first and second sub-data items having a spatial or temporal parameter different from that associated with the stored data item. Location determination in a wireless network of a mobile device or a moving base station is performed by classifying the position of the device into regions or sub-region depending on the frequency or the timely distance of the transmission of location measurement data messages by the device. Thereby, the region into which the device's location is classified is as smaller, as higher the message transmission frequency is. Based on this classification information the wireless network characteristics in the region are determined and used to avoid any communication degradation with the moving base station, e.g. in a train.