Software Defined Radios for Long Range Drone Communication

A self-sustaining aerial data link system for UAVs and ground stations that enables real-time communication without line-of-sight requirements. The system comprises an unmanned vehicle equipped with a data link transceiver, and deployable data link transceivers that can be automatically deployed or reconfigured to maintain continuous communication. This autonomous deployment capability allows the system to maintain data link connectivity even when the UAV is in areas with obstacles such as terrain features or buildings, eliminating the need for traditional line-of-sight communication. The deployable transceivers can be automatically reconfigured to adapt to changing environmental conditions, enabling continuous communication over varying distances.

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Airborne wireless relay system for airborne wireless communication using direct laser link. The system comprises a remote radio head equipped with wireless circuitry, up/down converters, amplifiers, and other RF components. A separate base station operates the large computational functions, including software-defined radio, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processing, and content delivery. The base station transmits digitized wireless waveform data via laser link, which is received by the airborne platform. This direct link eliminates the need for traditional fiber-optic or cable-based connections, enabling high-altitude wireless communication while maintaining low-power consumption.

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This paper introduces an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - enabled content management architecture that is suitable for critical access in communities of users are communication-isolated during diverse types disaster scenarios. The proposed leverages a hybrid network stationary anchor UAVs and mobile Micro-UAVs ubiquitous dissemination. equipped with both vertical lateral communication links, they serve local users, while the micro-ferrying extend coverage across increased mobility. focus on developing dissemination system dynamically learns optimal caching policies to maximize availability. core innovation adaptive framework based distributed Federated Multi-Armed Bandit learning. goal optimize UAV decisions geo-temporal popularity user demand variations. A Selective Caching Algorithm also introduced reduce redundant replication by incorporating inter-UAV information sharing. method strategically preserves uniqueness preferences amalgamating intelligence learning system. approach improves algorithm's ability adapt preferences. Functional verification performance evaluation confirm architect... Read More

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The increasing adoption of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for both commercial and recreational purposes has raised significant security privacy concerns. DJI OcuSync 2.0, a proprietary communication protocol used in drones, enables high-definition video transmission telemetry over dual-frequency bands (2.4 GHz 5.8 GHz). Detecting identifying signals crowded RF environment is crucial effective drone monitoring threat mitigation. This study presents an SDR-based detection system utilizing the USRP B210 with 50 MHz sampling rate to capture signals. Signal analysis performed using Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) Welchs method estimating Power Spectral Density (PSD). A Non-Parametric Amplitude Quantization Method (NPAQM) implemented dynamic threshold estimation improve sensitivity. tested under varying Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) conditions, demonstrating high accuracy robustness against interference. proposed provides reliable framework real-time signal identification can be adapted broader UAV applications.

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This paper provides a comprehensive review of the design and implementation software-defined radio (SDR) systems based on GNU Radio platform Universal Software Peripheral (USRP) hardware in China. The study highlights evolution wireless communication technologies, emphasizing technical advantages SDR, including flexibility, scalability, interference resistance, cost-effectiveness. analysis explores widely used software platforms (GNU LabVIEW) peripherals (USRP HackRF One), comparing their specifications, functionality, suitability for diverse scenarios.A detailed examination recent Chinese academic research reveals numerous practical implementations, such as adaptive cancellation systems, dual-protocol transceivers, spectrum monitoring platforms, visible light (VLC) MIMO-OFDM architectures. These leverage modularity high performance USRP to address challenges real-time data processing, efficiency, channel interference. Experimental results from case studies demonstrate advancements packet error rate (PER) reduction, spectral efficiency (up 10 bit/s/Hz), suppression (e.g., 20 dB self-... Read More

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Optimizing communication in swarms of drones to enable efficient and reliable control of large numbers of drones. The optimization involves clustering the drones into groups with a master drone that communicates with a central server, and slave drones that relay messages from the master. This reduces the number of required communication channels compared to each drone directly connecting. Clustering also allows faster area coverage, obstacle avoidance, and resource sharing. If a master fails, another slave can be promoted. This enables robust swarm operation by minimizing communication breakdowns.

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Moving body like a drone that improves alignment accuracy during autonomous movement by determining optimal directions based on network topology and transmission characteristics. The moving body wirelessly communicates with external devices to acquire network connection relationships and transmission path characteristics. It then uses this information to determine directions for movement, rather than relying solely on sensors or GPS. This improves alignment accuracy, especially in environments where visibility or accuracy is poor.

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Updating communication parameters in a mesh network to prevent interruption of data transmission when endpoint addresses or ports change. The method involves periodically synchronizing communication parameters between devices in the mesh network with a central control infrastructure. If a device detects a change in its parameters during communication, it notifies the other devices in the mesh so they can update their parameters to match. This prevents failed transmissions and retransmissions that would occur if devices kept using the old parameters.

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Narrow beam mesh networking with improved reliability, adjustability, and flexibility. The networking involves wireless nodes with adjustable narrow beam antennas that can create point-to-point or point-to-multipoint links. This allows customizable network topologies. The nodes can also have millimeter wave radios for high capacity links. The nodes are financed by customers and leased back to the operator. The nodes can have direct RF-to-optical and optical-to-RF conversion modules to eliminate ADC/DAC. The nodes have digital/network modules for backhaul connectivity. This enables flexible multi-link configurations.

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Method for enabling long-distance end-to-end communication in wireless networks when direct communication between two terminals is not feasible due to distance. The method involves using a relay terminal to convert end-to-end communication into point-to-point communication. If a terminal can't directly communicate with another terminal, it sends a request to the other terminal. If there's no response, the terminal determines indirect communication is needed. It then sends the request to a relay terminal, which relays the message to the destination terminal. This allows end-to-end communication over longer distances by leveraging intermediate relay nodes.

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Optimizing mesh network connections between devices to reduce unreliability and latency. The optimization involves coordinating midpoint nodes to improve bandwidth. Devices monitor triggers to initiate optimization when conditions warrant. When triggered, the initiating device identifies an optimal midpoint node and sends coordination info to the other device. Both devices then release the current connection and establish a new one using the optimized midpoint. This allows coordinated use of better nodes to improve reliability.

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A multi-serial communication radio for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows transmitting multiple data links without adding excessive wireless devices and reducing weight, battery life, and interference. The radio has multiple serial port modules, data processing modules, and radio modules connected in series. It converts multi-channel data into single-channel packets, transmits them wirelessly, and converts back to multi-channel at the other end. This allows multiple data links to be sent over a single wireless connection.

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Intelligent switching between different versions of UAV data links to enable a single UAV to transmit different narrowband or broadband data over line-of-sight distances. The switching allows making full use of UAV data link bandwidth, improves versatility by carrying multiple link versions, and meets user needs beyond fixed pre-allocated link configurations. The switching is achieved by dynamically changing the intermediate frequency bandwidth and link transmission waveform based on a fixed radio frequency filter. This allows adapting link data transmission requirements and anti-interference capabilities for different communication 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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Optimizing communication efficiency in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to increase range by dynamically varying retry rates and forward error correction (FEC) coding based on real-time transmission statistics. The UAV analyzes transmission failures and modifies retry rates and FEC coding rates to balance reliability and efficiency.

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Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) air-ground communication device that allows UAVs to relay wireless signals between ground nodes in areas with poor terrain coverage. The device connects to a UAV and has separate radio frequency, baseband, and control modules. It receives wireless signals via the RF module, converts to baseband in the baseband module, and forwards the IP packets to the control module. The control module sends the baseband data back to RF to transmit. This allows the UAV to act as a relay node in a distributed ad-hoc network, extending range and coverage in challenging terrain.

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Low-cost communication measurement and control integrated transmission system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that reduces cost and complexity compared to traditional systems. The system uses two antennas on the UAV and a ground station with multiple antennas and switches. It allows simultaneous uplink and downlink communication over a single frequency band, avoiding the need for wide bandwidths and frequency division duplexing. The ground station has a switch, computer, low-latency converter, and RF switches for routing and tracking. This allows using omnidirectional antennas for reliable tracking and lower angular velocities compared to high-gain directional antennas. It also uses a single wireless link for cost savings versus multiple links. The system is more economical for low-speed UAVs with low data rates compared to high-speed systems.

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Interworking method between multiple drone communications to provide communication services through multiple communication links between a drone equipped with multiple communication equipment and a ground control device for communication multiplexing. The method involves establishing multiple wireless connections with the ground control device, reporting connection quality, and dynamically changing links based on requests. This allows redundancy and handover between ground control devices using multiple radios on the drone.

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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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Dual-link integrated communication system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows adaptive real-time adjustment of communication parameters like rates based on channel conditions. This improves channel utilization and reliability compared to fixed links. The system uses a ground terminal and UAV terminals with integrated main and secondary links, baseband modules, and processing. The processing coordinates the links, converts physical interfaces, and does comprehensive information processing. The UAV can dynamically switch and combine links based on conditions for optimal performance.

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