Long-Range Communication for Drone Operations

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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Method for networking unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using optical communication to enhance the robustness and reliability of UAV formations. The method involves multiple UAVs equipped with optical modules communicating with each other to build a drone formation network. The optical communication allows direct high-speed, long-range, and interference-free data transfer between the UAVs. This eliminates the range limitations and delays of wireless communication at high altitudes. The UAVs exchange key data and verification information in a fixed format frame header and tail. This allows synchronized, reliable, and efficient communication within the UAV formation without relying on ground control.

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A method to enable long-range communication between a UAV and ground station without using multiple ground stations. The method involves using multiple communication links like L-band, carrier, and satellite links in a redundant and adaptive manner. It allows reliable communication over long distances by intelligently switching between links based on signal quality. When a primary link fails, it switches to a secondary link. If both primary and secondary links fail, it uses a tertiary satellite link. This prevents the UAV from receiving multiple conflicting commands and simplifies flight tasks while extending range compared to using multiple ground stations.

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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication system that enables reliable long-range UAV operation by leveraging terrestrial TV broadcast frequencies. The system uses a ground-based DVB-T terrestrial TV transmitter to relay video from the UAV to a ground station. The UAV has a DVB-T modulator to transmit the video to the terrestrial network. This allows extending the UAV's video range by leveraging the terrestrial TV infrastructure. The UAV also has a separate GFSK RF link for flight control and data.

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Robust and efficient method for tracking and communicating with airborne vehicles like drones without requiring dedicated tracking systems like ADS-B. The method involves the airborne vehicle transmitting spread-spectrum telemetry signals containing position data in addition to payload data. The ground station receives these signals using a rotating directional antenna. It searches for the airborne vehicle by scanning with the antenna's side lobes. Once found, it locks onto the vehicle using the main lobe for higher gain and receives the payload data. The spreading factor is chosen to match the symbol rate. This allows using the same antenna for searching and receiving.

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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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Using drones to relay wireless signals in areas with poor coverage or obstructions. The drone flies to a location with good signal from a remote transmitter, receives the signal, processes it, and beams it to a nearby device using its own antennas. This allows extending the range of weak signals or providing alternate paths around obstacles for better reception. The drone can dynamically move to optimize signal quality.

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Dual unmanned aerial vehicle control system using both mobile network and RF communication to provide redundancy and improve stability compared to relying solely on RF. The system allows controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle using a mobile network in addition to direct RF control. A ground control system sends commands over mobile network, a wireless controller sends RF commands directly. The UAV processes commands from either source. If both, prioritize mobile. This prevents loss of control in RF areas. A central IoT server can store and relay mobile commands. The UAV can separate mission equipment commands from RF commands.

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Portable device to enhance UAV communication signals in areas with poor coverage or signal blockage. The device has a miniaturized antenna system that can boost UAV signal radiation and reception. It uses power amplifiers and signal processing techniques to strengthen and stabilize UAV communication signals, overcoming shielding and interference in challenging environments like complex terrain.

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Using drones and balloons as part of a communications system with satellites to provide global coverage. The drones and balloons are non-orbiting aerial nodes that can be used in local systems or in combination with satellites for wider area communications. They are deployed at altitudes of at least 10 miles to avoid interfering with commercial aviation. The drones can be lighter-than-air or heavier-than-air, and can be lift-assisted. This allows using drones closer to the ground to increase signal strength. The drones can transition to higher altitude satellite nodes for longer distance routes. The system uses multiple layers of aerial nodes at different altitudes for routing data and calls over long distances.

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Improving wireless communication between drones and ground stations in congested RF environments by having the drones act as access points and isolating uplink traffic to a single resource unit while allowing wider resource units for downlink. This reduces interference and improves reliability compared to channel switching. The drone connects to the ground station using a wireless protocol that divides spectrum into resource units. The drone identifies a single resource unit for uplink and instructs the ground station to transmit there. This isolates uplink traffic and prevents interference from other devices. The downlink uses wider resource units.

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Communication system for drones that allows long-range, low-cost, and lightweight communication for cargo drones operating at high altitudes and long distances. The system uses low-orbit satellites for relaying instead of high-orbit satellites. The drone communicates directly with a gateway on the ground, which relays data to low-orbit satellites. The drone also communicates with the satellites directly. This allows using an omnidirectional antenna and reduced power since the satellites are closer. The satellites have wider bandwidth due to Doppler shift. It reduces drone equipment size, cost, and weight compared to high-orbit satellites. The ground station and satellites can provide telemetry and remote control, while images are only downloaded during landing.

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Communication system for amphibious drones that allows long-range, stable communication both in water and air. The system uses separate underwater and air communication subsystems that can be deployed simultaneously. When the drone is in the water, the air subsystem suspends operation. Instead, a reel-driven cable is extended to carry an underwater antenna and signal conversion module. This allows communication using the extended cable. When the drone returns to air, the air subsystem resumes operation.

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A flying object that can build a wireless communication area over a long time by using both battery power and an onboard generator driven by an engine. The aircraft has a wireless relay station, propeller motor, power control, battery, generator, engine, and fuel tank. This allows the aircraft to fly and provide wireless communication for extended periods beyond just battery power. It can reach remote areas without power infrastructure. The aircraft can also fly to cutoff areas after disasters to provide wireless communication where land routes and power are disrupted. The generator can be fueled on the ground using a separate fuel supply section.

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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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A drone that can be controlled over a mobile network using Internet protocols instead of a limited-range radio-frequency controller. The drone has a network adapter that allows it to receive commands over the mobile network and actuate its functions accordingly. This enables extended-range drone operations beyond the limits of a radio controller.

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Enabling drones to comply with remote identification regulations while still allowing narrowband communication for flight control over long ranges. The technique involves using a wideband channel like Wi-Fi for broadcasting the drone's remote ID beacon, but continuing to use a narrower channel for flight control. The drone periodically switches between the narrow and wide channels to meet regulation requirements. This allows the drone to use narrowband for flight control where it provides better range and performance, but also transmit the required remote ID over wideband channels.

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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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Controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in areas without satellite coverage by using ground-based internetworking devices and LOS communication. The system detects the UAV's flight area and routes commands through nearby ground devices instead of satellites. This allows continuous control even in areas with poor satellite reception. The ground control station communicates with the UAV via line-of-sight links and ground internetworking devices, converts satellite commands to local links, and relays them to the UAV. This enables seamless UAV operation without relying solely on satellite links.

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Real-time communication system for long range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enables remote control and high bandwidth data transfer over satellite links when the UAV is far from the ground station. The system uses terrestrial cellular networks for initial short range control, and switches to satellite links when wireless packet loss exceeds a threshold. This allows the UAV to maintain real-time control and high bandwidth data transfer over satellite links when it is out of range of the ground station's radio. The ground station sends control signals via cellular, which are forwarded via satellite to the UAV. This expands UAV range and improves accuracy of human-machine task execution.

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