Drone Communication Range & Control

A communication system for drones that enables longer range and wider coverage compared to existing drone communication methods. The system allows the drone to communicate with a ground control module using a combination of local area network (LAN) and public network links. The ground control module sends instructions to the drone over LAN. The drone executes the instructions, generates data, and sends it back over LAN or public network depending on reliability. This allows longer range using the public network while still maintaining local LAN control.

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Extending network coverage in dynamic RF environments using a swarm of mobile aerial nodes with directional antennas operating in the millimeter wave spectrum. The nodes form a mesh network that can adaptively route data around interference sources by steering antenna beams and selecting paths. This allows nodes to mitigate interference and extend range compared to omnidirectional antennas. The nodes can also adjust beam patterns to null out interferers. The millimeter wave frequencies offer higher bandwidth and smaller antennas for compact drone nodes.

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Collaborative networking method for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to improve reliability and accuracy of UAV signal transmission and safety in the field. The method involves dynamically adjusting the transmission nodes for UAV data based on real-time UAV location and signal strength. It determines transmission parameters between UAVs and targets during flight, selects transmission nodes, transmits data through those nodes, monitors real-time UAV info, checks if nodes meet conditions, and if not, updates nodes. This allows dynamic node selection, prevents UAV issues due to node selection, improves data transmission efficiency, and ensures node selection adapts to UAV flight conditions.

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A UAV-assisted LoRa networking system for complex environments that improves LoRa wireless communication in challenging environments like wilderness areas. The system uses drones equipped with LoRa gateways to search for LoRa devices in the area. When a device is found, the drone hovers and helps the device join the nearby LoRaWAN network. This allows the device to send data to the server through the network, with the drone relaying the signal. The drones can also cooperate to maximize LoRa positioning accuracy. The system leverages drones to extend LoRa coverage and reliability in complex environments where base stations are limited.

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Self-organizing communication network topology for collaborative drone operations that allows drones to autonomously form adaptive networks for collaborative missions. The network structure allows drones to connect and communicate with each other as well as the ground station. The network dynamically adjusts when nodes join, leave, or fail to maintain functionality. It enables drones to coordinate and share information without relying on centralized control. This allows extended range, depth, and resilience for collaborative drone missions compared to centralized or distributed architectures.

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Network topology control for large-scale drone clusters to improve communication efficiency, fault tolerance, and robustness. The method involves estimating dynamic path changes based on drone flight information, adaptively adjusting communication overhead, calculating node lifespans, reconfiguring important nodes, and reconstructing the topology. This allows autonomous optimization and adaptation of the drone network structure in response to environmental changes and task requirements.

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Intelligent drone monitoring system that enables efficient and scalable drone networks for monitoring areas using a distributed clustering algorithm. The system consists of multiple drones and a ground station. The drones have onboard control modules that allow them to communicate with each other. The drones initially determine their distances to the ground station. This distance is used to dynamically elect cluster heads and routing nodes based on a distributed algorithm. This adaptive clustering provides efficient communication and reduces energy consumption compared to fixed cluster sizes.

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System for monitoring drones beyond visual range using a network of ground-based line-of-sight data terminals to relay commands and data between the drones and ground control system. The terminals are arranged in a hexagonal grid covering the area. Drones communicate with the nearest terminal within line-of-sight, which then relays to the closest terminal with stronger signal. This allows drones to fly beyond visual range while still being monitored and controlled. The grid shape reduces equipment and coverage costs compared to a full mesh network.

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Communication method for oil and gas inspection drones in mountainous pipelines to overcome communication interruptions caused by terrain and network coverage issues. The method involves using self-organizing network technology to enable the drones to autonomously establish a network as they fly through the mountainous pipeline area. The drones communicate with each other using a reward and punishment mechanism to optimize network coverage. They also use a grid-based map to navigate and cover areas to improve network reliability. This allows the drones to continue communication and complete inspections even when wireless networks are unavailable in the mountainous terrain.

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Enabling controlled and regulated flight operations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using wireless networks. The network can plan and manage UAV routes, transition between manual and network-controlled flight modes, and override manual control in emergencies. The network can send route instructions to UAVs and take over control if needed. This allows coordinated and safe UAV operations in congested airspace.

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A networking system for improving cooperative combat capabilities of clustered UAVs that uses Bluetooth MESH and asynchronous serial communication to enable reliable communication between UAVs even when their data links are degraded due to obstructions. The system involves UAVs with airborne data terminals, Bluetooth MESH modules, and flight control modules connected via serial. When UAV links are poor, they switch to Bluetooth MESH. IPEX external antennas extend range. Ground stations have omnidirectional antennas.

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A secure aerial network for autonomous drone surveillance and logistics operations using a mesh network of drones and base stations that enables continuous surveillance of targets without human intervention. The drones have modular payloads and can land on the base stations to swap batteries. A central server coordinates drone deployments and recalls based on battery levels and distances to optimize coverage. The drones communicate over the mesh network. The network allows fully autonomous, long-term surveillance of multiple locations without human intervention.

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Emergency communication system using drones for disaster areas that provides reliable, rapid networking and secure data transmission. The system combines drones with base stations and uses satellite communication to restore communication after infrastructure damage. Drones are hierarchically networked with cluster heads, masters, and slaves to expand coverage. They authenticate and securely communicate with each other and satellites. The system also manages drone endurance and handover to sustain networks. It mitigates limitations of fixed-wing drones and tethered drones for disaster comms.

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Routing system for vehicular Internet networks that leverages drones to improve data communication in congested IoV environments. The system uses drones to route data between vehicles when ground networks are congested. Base stations divide road sections into segments covered by drones. Drones fly to congested segments based on control messages. They exchange request/response packets with vehicles and drones to locate nodes. Trustworthy drones transmit data to destinations. This on-demand drone support reduces congestion, delay, and packet drops compared to flooding. Trust assessment prevents malicious drones.

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A wide-area coverage system for maritime mobile networks using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide reliable, wide-range communication for ships at sea. The system involves multiple UAVs flying over specific sea areas to extend and enhance maritime communications. The UAVs carry communication equipment like routers, antennas, and protocol converters. They monitor their positions, convert network protocols, and maintain links to provide stable, long-lasting maritime communications. The UAVs can cover large areas, communicate with satellites, and integrate with existing maritime networks.

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Enhancing communication reliability for drones to extend range and enable reliable flight in challenging environments. The system uses multiple communication links, like radio and cellular, and switches between them based on quality. It also allows drones to land and take off at different locations using relay nodes instead of returning to the original base. This improves range by extending the effective coverage area.

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Uncrewed vehicle like drones with simultaneous connectivity to multiple wireless networks to improve reliability of remote control. The vehicle has radios for concurrent connections to networks like cellular. It receives navigation instructions from a control system via one network. It also connects to a central function that monitors network quality. If the primary network degrades, the central function instructs the vehicle to switch to another network for control. This ensures critical commands are always delivered even if one network fails. The central function uses data from the vehicle like location, route, and network performance to evaluate quality.

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Data transmission method for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems using 5G technology to improve reliability, range, and payload capacity compared to traditional remote control and satellite links. The method involves integrating 5G terminals into the UAV, allowing direct 5G connectivity between the UAV and ground stations. This eliminates range limitations and increases payload capacity compared to onboard radios. The 5G terminals are connected to the UAV's flight control and payload function modules via standard interfaces.

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Self-organizing network for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows UAVs to communicate with each other and ground stations without relying on fixed infrastructure. The network uses satellite links and mesh networking to connect a command center, portable satellite station, UAV swarm, ground mobile base, and individual soldiers. The UAV swarm can operate autonomously with direct links between UAVs and ground stations. The satellite station provides connectivity to the UAV swarm when out of range of ground stations. The command center coordinates the network and has satellite links to the satellite station and ground stations. This allows UAVs to communicate with each other and ground stations without relying on fixed infrastructure.

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Networked drone that can be remotely controlled over cellular networks using internet protocols instead of relying solely on short-range RF communication. The drone has a network adapter that allows it to connect to a cellular network and receive commands from a user via the mobile data network. This enables the drone to continue operating and avoid crashing if it loses RF contact with a ground controller.

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