This page examines patent innovations addressing weak signal challenges in drone-to-ground and drone-to-satellite communication:

  • Low-Altitude Coverage Extension – 4G/5G signal amplification networks deployed at 100–300m altitude using landing site infrastructure and low-gain antennas, solving intermittent connectivity for drones operating below terrestrial network coverage thresholds
  • Multi-Channel Signal Relay Architecture – Repeater systems with separate channels for UAV-satellite, UAV-comm satellite, and UAV-ground links that amplify and relay degraded signals, maintaining stable communication when direct transmission paths fail
  • Airborne Signal Processing Integration – Miniaturized systems embedding power amplifiers, protocol parsers, and baseband processing directly into UAV bodies, enabling multi-protocol monitoring and signal enhancement without external ground repeaters
  • Real-Time Link Resource Adaptation – Dynamic mechanisms adjusting coding schemes, modulation types, transmit power, and antenna beam direction based on instantaneous altitude, speed, environment parameters, and measured link quality

1. Miniaturized Antenna System with Integrated Power Amplifiers and Signal Processing for UAV Communication Signal Enhancement

HONGHE POWER SUPPLY BUREAU YUNNAN POWER GRID CO LTD, 2023

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.

2. Multi-Channel Signal Repeater for UAV-Satellite and UAV-Ground Communication Links

CHENGDU YOUFU TECH CO LTD, CHENGDU YOUFU TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Signal repeater for amplifying and relaying UAV signals to maintain communication with satellites and ground stations when UAV signals degrade due to interference or obstruction. The repeater connects to the UAV, navigation satellite, communication satellite, and ground station. It has separate channels for UAV-satellite, UAV-comm satellite, and UAV-ground links. The repeater amplifies and relays signals between these links to overcome signal degradation. This allows stable communication between UAVs, satellites, and ground stations when signals are obstructed or weakened by interference.

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3. Low-Altitude Signal Coverage System with Amplifiers and Antennas for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

SHENZHEN SKY AUTO NETWORK CO LTD, 2022

Low-altitude 4G/5G signal coverage system for unmanned aerial vehicles that provides reliable wireless connectivity for drones flying at altitudes between 100-300 meters above ground level, where ground network coverage is poor. The system involves installing low-altitude coverage points at drone landing sites that amplify and extend the cellular signal. It uses access antennas, amplifiers, and low-altitude antennas at heights of 300nm or less to amplify the signals and extend coverage. This allows drones to maintain stable network access and avoid intermittent connectivity issues at lower altitudes.

4. Signal Amplifying Antenna Device with Lead Connection for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communication

STATE GRID CO LTD, WEIFANG POWER SUPPLY COMPANY OF STATE GRID SHANDONG POWER CO, 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) relay range extension device to enhance UAV communication range by using a signal amplifying antenna. The device connects the UAV's antenna to the remote controller's antenna via a lead. The amplifying antenna boosts the signal strength between the UAV and the controller, allowing communication over longer distances and through obstacles.

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5. Aerial Signal Relay System with Drone-Based Signal Amplification and Device Tracking

TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON, 2021

Using drones to boost communication signals in areas with poor coverage. The drones have signal amplification devices and fly to an altitude where they can receive signals from the communication system. They then relay the signals to nearby devices. The drones track device movements to stay connected. This provides a low-cost, flexible way to temporarily extend coverage in areas with signal dead zones.

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6. Signal Amplification Kit with 12V-Powered Circuitry for Remote Control and Video Transmission in Drones

CSG EHV TRANS COMPANY BOSE BUREAU, CSG EHV TRANSMISSION COMPANY BOSE BUREAU, 2020

An external kit to extend the range of remote control signals for drones by amplifying and boosting the signal. The kit includes amplifying circuits connected to the drone's remote control and video transmitters. These circuits use a 12V power supply to amplify the signals before transmitting them from the drone. The amplified signals are then received by the ground control station. The kit allows extending the range of the remote control and video links beyond the inherent limitations of the drone's built-in transmitters.

7. Wideband Remote Radio System with Integrated Multi-Channel Demodulation and Signal Processing for Aircraft

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC, 2020

A communications system for aircraft that integrates multiple functions into a single wideband remote radio system, reducing size, weight, power, and cost compared to traditional separate systems. The system receives and amplifies incoming signals, digitizes and downconverts them, and transmits the processed signals to a baseband processing system where they are decoded and routed to appropriate vehicle systems or applications. The wideband remote radio system can simultaneously demodulate multiple radio channels, and is coupled to both the baseband processing system and vehicle audio systems.

8. Signal Processing System for UAV Communication Protocol Parsing with Multi-Protocol Capability

SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2020

A method, apparatus, and monitoring device for processing signals of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that enables monitoring of UAVs using unknown communication protocols. The device receives signals from the UAV, employs multiple communication protocol parsing devices to parse the signals, and extracts monitored information from the parsing results. This allows the device to monitor UAVs regardless of their communication protocol, providing enhanced security and regulatory compliance.

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9. UAV-Integrated Signal Repeater with Symmetrical Base Plate Antenna Mounting System

He Yu, 2018

Signal enhancement device for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to improve wireless communication range and reliability in multi-UAV applications. The device has a repeater inside the UAV body connected to the power source. Two symmetrically arranged base plates fix the UAV outer rotor sleeve. Antennas are mounted between the bases. The antenna sleeves go in the base mounting holes, and an inner rod slides in them. One sleeve connects to the repeater. This allows multiple UAVs to have boosted wireless signals without external repeaters.

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10. Ground-Based Broadband Communication System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with Terrestrial Repeater Integration and Antenna Configuration

WEI ZILI, 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication system that enables long-range, broadband communication between a UAV and ground control without satellites. The system uses ground broadband networks and terrestrial repeater stations instead of satellites. The UAV has omnidirectional and directional antennas. It broadcasts its position to find the nearest repeater. The repeater aims its directional antenna and establishes link. UAVs can fly long distances over land using ground broadband. This reduces cost vs satellite and expands UAV range and applications.

11. Dynamic Resource Allocation Mechanism for Wireless Communication Links in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Based on Environmental and Operational Parameters

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd., YUANCHUAN RONGCHUANG TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, Yuanchuan Rongchuang (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., 2022

Dynamic adjustment of wireless communication link resources for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to improve reliability by adapting parameters like coding, modulation, power, and antenna direction based on factors like UAV location, altitude, speed, attitude, environment, and link quality. The UAV evaluates these factors using an algorithm to determine optimal link resource budget and plan. This allows real-time dynamic optimization of UAV-ground communication links to account for changing conditions and environments during flight.

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12. Modular Wireless Communication Device with Separate Receiving, Excitation, Power Amplification, and Processing Units for Base Station Integration

HUNAN ZHONGKEE YOUYI INFORMATION TECH CO LTD, HUNAN ZHONGKEE YOUYI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022

Wireless long-distance communication device for base stations that allows high-altitude drones carrying base stations to communicate reliably over long distances. The device uses separate components for receiving, excitation, power amplification, and processing. The receiving unit demodulates RF signals. The excitation unit modulates demodulated RF signals and audio signals. The power amplifier amplifies RF signals. The processing unit processes audio and RF signals. This modular architecture provides high bandwidth, long range, power efficiency, and compact size for base station wireless communication.

13. Mesh Network-Based Communication System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with Indirect Link Relay and Dynamic Node Integration

GUANGZHOU XAIRCRAFT TECH CO LTD, GUANGZHOU XAIRCRAFT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021

Communication system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows more efficient and robust UAV-controller communication by leveraging a mesh network. The system uses a mesh device like a base station or repeater that connects the UAVs and controller via the mesh network. This allows indirect communication through the mesh node when obstructions block direct links. It also allows flexible node addition/removal for one-to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many communication without strict antenna alignment. The controller and UAVs can have lower gain antennas since the mesh node can relay long distances.

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14. Millimeter Wave Full-Duplex Drone Relay Communication Method with Optimized Drone Positioning, Beamforming, and Power Control

BEIHANG UNIVERSITY, UNIV BEIHANG, 2021

Millimeter wave full-duplex drone relay communication method to expand the coverage and capacity of millimeter wave communications using drones as relays. The method optimizes drone position, beamforming and power control to reduce self-interference and improve relay performance. The optimization involves finding the ideal drone location, alternately optimizing the transmit and receive beamforming vectors, and adjusting power levels for given beamforming.

15. UAV Antenna System with Multiple Signal Processing Units and Redundant Signal Paths

ZHU XIANGWEI, 2021

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) antenna system to improve coverage and signal strength. The system uses multiple antennas connected to signal processing units that amplify and enhance signals. A signal source unit provides the control and video signals. This allows redundant signal paths and coverage around the UAV body compared to just one antenna on the UAV. The signal processing units have enhancements like power amplifiers and switches to boost signal quality.

16. Dynamic RF Power Level Adjustment Method for UAV Communication Based on Distance-Dependent Power Amplifier Control

GOERTEK INC, 2020

A UAV communication method that dynamically adjusts RF power level to optimize transmission range, conserve power, and extend flight endurance. The method involves determining the distance between the UAV and ground station, and then selecting the power amplifier operating mode based on the distance and a predefined rule set. The power amplifier is controlled to amplify RF signals at the appropriate gain level for the distance. This avoids unnecessarily high power amplification for short-range flights, conserving energy.

17. Digital Voice Signal Conversion and Relay System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Non-Line-of-Sight Data Links

AGENCY DEFENSE DEV, AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT, 2020

Relaying voice communication for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using a data link instead of traditional UHF/VHF radios when line-of-sight is not available. The relay involves converting UHF/VHF voice signals to digital using a dedicated conversion device, then relaying them over the data link. If primary radios fail, the conversion device can relay the other type's signal directly. This allows UAV voice communication over long distances without line-of-sight.

18. Compact Dual-Channel UAV Communication Terminal with Integrated Antenna Switching and RF Signal Conversion Components

Joint Stock Company Kronstadt, 2019

Reducing the mass of long-range UAV radio communication terminals by integrating both direct and satellite channels into a single compact device. The terminal has a modem, power amplifier, low-noise amplifier, satellite antenna, and a direct channel duplexer with an antenna switch. The duplexer connects to both the satellite and ground antennas. This allows the UAV to switch between satellite and direct channels using the antenna switch. The terminal also has a frequency synthesizer and broadband boost/downconverters in the RF unit for efficient signal conversion.

19. Drone-Based Radio-Over-Fiber System with Fiber Optic Tether for RF Signal Transmission

EQUINOX INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS INC, 2018

A drone-based radio-over-fiber system for wireless communication using aerial drones equipped with fiber optic tethers for connectivity. The system allows a drone to be tethered to a base station using an optical fiber instead of a coaxial cable or digital fiber. RF signals are transmitted over the fiber instead of through the air or over a physical cable. This provides several benefits like reduced signal loss, lower weight, and smaller size compared to carrying all the radio equipment on the drone. The RF signals are converted to optical at the base station and back to RF at the drone for wireless communication.

20. Drone Power Amplifier with Distance-Based Dynamic Gain Adjustment Using GPS Data

GoerTek Inc., 2018

Dynamic power amplifier adjustment in drones to optimize transmission range and battery life. The drone has a GPS, processor, power amplifier, and antenna. The processor calculates the drone-ground station distance using GPS. It sets the power amplifier mode based on distance thresholds: low power for short range, medium for mid range, high power for long range. This dynamically adapts amplifier gain to match link conditions.

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