SUBTERRANEAN 3D MODELING AT CELL SITES

• US 20170215086A1
• Filed: 04/06/2017
• Published: 07/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Original Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Inventors: PRIEST, Lee
• Granted Patent: US 10,382,975 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• 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 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools

Abstract

Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include obtaining first data capture for above ground components including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; obtaining second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilizing the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which includes both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; 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 for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering, the method comprising:

obtaining first data capture for above ground components comprising a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site;

obtaining second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography;

utilizing the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which comprises both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; 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.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining third data capture of interiors of the one or more buildings; and

utilizing the third data capture to develop the 3D model for the interiors.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining second data capture is performed with a data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the obtaining first data capture is performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower, and wherein the obtaining second data capture is performed with the data capture device on the UAV.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining first data capture is performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first 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.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3D model is presented in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subterranean geography in the 3D model illustrates support structures of the cell tower and utility constructions in the surrounding geography.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

utilizing an external data source to verify utility constructions in the second data capture for the subterranean geography.

10. An apparatus adapted to create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering the apparatus comprising:

a network interface and a processor communicatively coupled to one another; and

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

obtain first data capture for above ground components comprising a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site;

obtain second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography;

utilize the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which comprises both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; and

present the 3D model to a user for performing the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

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

obtain third data capture of interiors of the one or more buildings;

and

utilize the third data capture to develop the 3D model for the interiors.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second data capture is captured with a data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first data capture is captured with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first 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.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the 3D model is presented in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subterranean geography in the 3D model illustrates support structures of the cell tower and utility constructions in the surrounding geography.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the memory storing instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor to

utilize an external data source to verify utility constructions in the second data capture for the subterranean geography.

13. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first data capture is captured with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower, and wherein the second data capture is captured with the data capture device on the UAV.