Worksite Access Point Placement for Low-Signal Machine Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for wireless network access point placement in worksite environments lack quantitative data, leading to inefficient signal coverage that results in dead zones or excessive deployment, impacting machine connectivity and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for optimizing access point placement by generating a connectivity profile based on signal strength measurements, machine orientation, and distance, simulating machine paths, and providing a map with recommended access point locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points are deployed based on opinions without quantitative data, then deployment cost and time are reduced initially, but signal coverage becomes inefficient creating dead zones or excessive deployment areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulation and analysis of access point placement before actual deployment. By using digital twins to model and evaluate different deployment scenarios in advance, the system identifies optimal locations that ensure reliable signal coverage without requiring extensive trial-and-error adjustments during actual deployment, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage reliability and deployment time
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where signal strength measurements and machine connectivity data are continuously collected and used to refine access point placement recommendations. This iterative feedback process enables the system to learn from actual performance and improve future deployment decisions, balancing coverage reliability with deployment efficiency
2Reliability
If access point density is increased to ensure coverage, then dead zones are eliminated, but deployment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by determining optimal access point density and placement for specific local areas rather than using uniform deployment across the entire worksite. By analyzing terrain features, machine movement patterns, and signal propagation characteristics of each location, the system recommends precise placement that ensures coverage continuity only where needed, avoiding unnecessary deployment complexity in areas with good existing coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional map-based planning to three-dimensional simulation by incorporating elevation data, machine orientation, and signal propagation angles. This dimensional enhancement allows more accurate prediction of signal coverage and identification of dead zones, enabling optimized access point placement that ensures coverage continuity without excessive deployment
3Reliability
If access point placement is optimized using simulation and connectivity profiles, then machine connectivity is improved, but analysis time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital twins (copies) of the worksite environment, machines, and access points to perform simulations without affecting actual operations. By working with these virtual copies, the system can conduct comprehensive connectivity analysis and optimize access point placement while the actual worksite continues normal operations, effectively resolving the contradiction between improved connectivity and analysis time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by focusing simulation and analysis efforts on critical areas where machine operations occur most frequently or where signal coverage is most challenging. Rather than analyzing every possible location in the worksite, the system concentrates computational resources on high-priority zones, achieving significant connectivity improvements with reduced analysis time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for worksite access point placement optimization, the method including: generating a connectivity profile for a machine; receiving a worksite definition for a worksite; simulating a machine path within the worksite according to the worksite definition; estimating connection strength at the machine, based on the connectivity profile, for multiple locations along the machine path and for multiple access point locations around the worksite; and providing a map of the worksite including an indication of relative overall connection strength for each of the multiple access point locations.