Modeling fiber cabling associated with cell sites

• US 10,368,249 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2017
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Original Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Inventors: Priest, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lett, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US15/597,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20170257778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 345427
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/04 involving 3D image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/36 Review paper; Tutorial; Survey
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2215/16 Using real world measurements to influence rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/97 Determining parameters from multiple pictures depth or shape recovery from multiple images G06T7/55; stereo camera calibration G06T7/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports

Abstract

Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site and associated fiber connectivity for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include determining fiber connectivity at or near the cell site; obtaining first data capture of the fiber connectivity at or near the cell site; obtaining second data capture of paths of the fiber connectivity from the cell site; obtaining third data capture of the cell site including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; utilizing the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture to develop the 3D model; and utilizing the 3D model to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

Claims

1. A method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site and associated fiber connectivity, the method comprising:

identifying fiber connectivity at or near the cell site;

obtaining first data capture of the fiber connectivity at or near the cell site;

following one or more paths similar to one or more paths of the fiber connectivity while obtaining second data capture of the fiber connectivity leading away from the cell site;

obtaining third data capture of the cell site including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site;

utilizing the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture to develop the 3D model to include the cell site and the fiber connectivity; and

utilizing the 3D model to perform one or more of a cell site audit, a cell site survey, and a cell site planning and engineering process.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining fourth data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography of the cell site; and

utilizing the fourth data capture with the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture to develop the 3D model.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fourth data capture is performed with a data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, photogrammetry, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

obtaining fifth data capture of interiors of one or more buildings at the cell site; and

utilizing the fifth data capture with the first data capture, the second data capture, the third data capture, and the fourth data capture to develop the 3D model.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining first data capture and the obtaining second data capture are performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with a data capture device on the UAV.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein an operator causes the UAV to fly the one or more 3D paths to obtain the second data capture.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining first data capture, the obtaining second data capture, and the obtaining third data capture are performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower and along the one or more 3D paths with a data capture device positioned on the UAV.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third data capture comprises a plurality of photos or video subject to a plurality of constraints, wherein the plurality of photos are obtained by a plurality of cameras which are coordinated with one another.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting the 3D model in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to perform the one or more of the cell site audit, the cell site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering process.

10. An apparatus adapted to create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site and associated fiber connectivity, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface, a data capture device, and a processor communicatively coupled to one another; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to

identify fiber connectivity at or near the cell site based on feedback from the data capture device;

obtain first data capture of the fiber connectivity at or near the cell site;

obtain second data capture of the fiber connectivity leading away from the cell site, the second data capture obtained by the data capture device by following one or more 3D observation paths similar to one or more physical paths that the fiber connectivity takes;

obtain third data capture of the cell site including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site;

utilize the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture to develop the 3D model to include the cell site and the fiber connectivity; and

utilize the 3D model to perform one or more of a cell site audit, a cell site survey, and a cell site planning and engineering process.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:

obtain fourth data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography of the cell site; and

utilize the fourth data capture with the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture to develop the 3D model.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fourth data capture is performed with a data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, photogrammetry, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:

obtain fifth data capture of interiors of one or more buildings at the cell site; and

utilize the fifth data capture with the first data capture, the second data capture, the third data capture, and the fourth data capture to develop the 3D model.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first data capture and the second data capture are obtained with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower and along the one or more 3D observation paths with the data capture device positioned on the UAV.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein an operator causes the UAV to fly along the one or more 3D observation paths to obtain the second data capture.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture are obtained with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower and along the one or more 3D observation paths with the data capture device positioned on the UAV.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the third data capture comprises a plurality of photos or video subject to a plurality of constraints, wherein the plurality of photos are obtained by a plurality of cameras which are coordinated with one another.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the 3D model is presented in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to perform the one or more of the cell site audit, the cell site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering process.