Broadband access system via drone/uav platforms

Abstract

The present disclosure describes the system and methods for providing broadband internet access to homes and enterprises using a network of aerial platforms such as drones / UAVs / balloons. Drones form and point beams toward ground terminals in different areas in a space division multiple access scheme. Ground terminals search for the drone from which they receive the strongest signals. Drone and ground terminals comprise of methods and systems to calibrate receive and transmit antenna elements. Drone radio sub-system keeps track of the drone's position and orientation changes and adjust drone's antenna beam accordingly to point to the same location on the ground as the drone moves. Depending on the changes in drone's position and orientation, the drone radio subsystem may switch the antenna aperture and / or the antenna fixture that is used to form a beam toward a specific ground terminal. Drones communicate with the terminals using a space and time division multiple access scheme.

Description

[0001] cross reference [0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 14 / 284,375, filed May 21, 2014, entitled "Broadband Access System via Drone / UAV Platform," which claims February 17, 2014 U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 940,805, filed March 24, 2014, entitled "Broadband Access System Via Drone / UAV Platform," and "Broadband Access System Via Drone / UAV Platform" Access System," US Patent Application No. 14 / 223,705, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] This disclosure describes the implementation of a broadband Internet access system for using aerial platforms such as drones, UABVs, balloons, airships, robocopters as platforms to relay Internet traffic between different kinds of terminals Many aspects. Background technique [0004] As Internet traffic has grown over the years, new technologies are needed to enable lower-cost broadband access to homes and businesses, as well as plac...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Satellite hardware must be space-grade and expensive due to adverse atmospheric effects in satellite orbits

The launch vehicles that put satellites into orbit are also expensive

Also, the cost of insuring the satellite and the launch is significant due to the risky and high cost of launching a satellite

As a result, broadband satellite systems and services are relatively expensive and difficult to access in poor regions of the world

It is also expensive to deploy terrestrial systems such as fiber optic or microwave links in sparsely populated areas

Low user density does not justify deployment costs

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