An FPV drone delivery system based on large drones

Abstract

This invention provides an FPV (Fast-Passive Vehicle) drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: an aerial delivery platform for carrying and transporting several FPV drones; a visual perception module mounted on the aerial delivery platform to acquire image information; a ground station for sending control signals to control the flight of the aerial delivery platform and the release, flight, and recovery of the FPV drones; a communication module mounted on the aerial delivery platform to receive control signals from the ground station and forward them to the aerial delivery platform and the FPV drones; and simultaneously to send image information from the visual perception module to the ground station; and a signal relay module mounted on the aerial delivery platform to receive signals from the communication module and forward them to the FPV drones. This invention enables rapid deployment of FPV drones, solving the problems of slow and inefficient deployment of existing unmanned vehicles, reducing the risk of casualties caused by vehicle and aircraft deployments in the military field, and significantly increasing the deployment range of FPV drones.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) application technology, and more specifically, to an FPV (Fast-Passive Vehicle) UAV deployment system based on a large UAV. Background Technology

[0002] FPV drones have been widely used in military and commercial fields. However, due to size limitations, FPV drones have small battery capacities, resulting in limited range. Simultaneously, the low antenna power of FPV drones limits their communication distance. Short range and limited communication distance severely restrict the application scope of FPV drones. To address these issues, some FPV drone delivery systems have emerged, such as those using vehicles, aircraft, and unmanned vehicles. However, vehicle and aircraft delivery methods involve large targets, increasing the risk of personnel casualties. Unmanned vehicle delivery is limited by terrain and has a slow delivery speed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide an FPV drone delivery system based on a large-scale drone.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, an FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided, comprising:

[0005] An aerial delivery platform is used to carry and transport several FPV drones; after the aerial delivery platform arrives at the designated airspace, it releases the FPV drones, and after the mission is completed, it recovers the FPV drones and returns.

[0006] The visual perception module, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, collects real-time image information;

[0007] The ground station sends control signals to control the flight of the aerial delivery platform and to control the release, flight, and recovery of the FPV UAV.

[0008] The communication module, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, receives the control signals from the ground station and forwards them to the aerial delivery platform and the FPV drone; at the same time, it sends the image information from the visual perception module to the ground station.

[0009] A signal relay module, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, receives signals from the communication module and forwards them to the FPV drone.

[0010] Preferably, the aerial delivery platform includes:

[0011] Aircraft, used as a transport vehicle carrying FPV drones;

[0012] An FPV drone release and recovery device is installed below the aircraft to release and recover the FPV drone based on control signals received from the ground station.

[0013] Preferably, the FPV drone release and recovery device includes:

[0014] At least one of the columns is fixed to the underside of the aircraft;

[0015] Cards, multiple cards are connected in series on a single column; the cards are capable of being unfolded and retracted;

[0016] The FPV drone has a through hole in the center, which passes through the column. The card is fixed and released by unfolding and retracting.

[0017] Preferably, the FPV drone is equipped with a radio signal receiver to receive instructions from the signal relay module and complete the mission actions;

[0018] The FPV drone is equipped with an image transmission module and / or a bomb dropper.

[0019] The image transmission module is used to collect image data during the flight of the FPV UAV and transmit it back to the ground station in sequence through the communication relay module and the communication module; the bomb dispenser is used to release munitions.

[0020] Preferably, the signal relay module includes:

[0021] The signal receiver receives control signals from the communication module and directly acts on the air-launched platform to perform flight, release, or recovery actions;

[0022] The antenna forwards the control signals received by the signal receiver to the FPV drone, which then assists the FPV drone in completing flight, release, or recovery actions.

[0023] Preferably, the transmission method of the communication module includes: radio communication, cable communication, or fiber optic communication;

[0024] When radio communication is used, the communication module includes: ground station radio transceiver equipment and aircraft radio transceiver equipment; communication between the ground station and the aircraft is achieved via radio.

[0025] When using fiber optic communication, the communication module includes: a ground station-end optical transceiver, an aircraft-end optical transceiver, and optical fiber; the ground station-end optical transceiver and the aircraft-end optical transceiver respectively convert the electrical signals at the ground station end and the aircraft end into optical signals, and then transmit them through optical signals to realize communication between the two ends;

[0026] When using cable communication, the communication module includes: ground station equipment, aircraft equipment, and cable; the electrical signals of the ground station and aircraft are transmitted through the cable to achieve communication between the two ends.

[0027] Preferably, the ground station sends flight, deployment, and recovery control commands to the aerial deployment platform via the communication module; the ground station sends FPV UAV control commands to the FPV UAV via the communication module and signal relay module.

[0028] Preferably, the ground station adopts a human-in-the-loop control mode, in which the FPV UAV performs flight missions only according to the control signals sent by the ground station.

[0029] Preferably, it also includes an intelligent control module;

[0030] The intelligent control module receives image information sent by the visual perception module and performs target detection; if a target exists, it obtains its location information and forwards it to the signal relay module to send flight commands to the FPV UAV, which then flies to the vicinity of the target.

[0031] Preferably, the ground station adopts an autonomous control mode; in this mode, the FPV UAV is controlled only by the intelligent control module and is not subject to manual intervention from the ground station.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention have at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0033] The FPV drone delivery system based on large unmanned aerial vehicles in this invention uses an aerial delivery platform to transport drones, enabling rapid delivery of FPV drones, solving the problems of slow speed and low efficiency of existing unmanned vehicle delivery, reducing the risk of casualties caused by vehicle and aircraft delivery in the military field, and greatly increasing the delivery range of FPV drones.

[0034] The FPV drone delivery system based on large drones in this embodiment of the invention adopts communication relay technology, which can significantly increase the communication distance between the ground station and the FPV drone, and solve the problem of short communication distance of FPV drones.

[0035] The FPV drone deployment system based on large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in this invention incorporates visual inspection technology, enabling autonomous combat capabilities for FPV UAVs and solving the problem of UAVs losing combat capability after being suppressed by radio signals.

[0036] In summary, the FPV drone deployment system based on large drones in this embodiment of the invention can achieve rapid deployment of FPV drones, overcoming the problems of slow deployment speed, high deployment risk, and high cost existing in the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an FPV drone delivery system based on a large UAV using radio communication in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an FPV drone delivery system based on a large UAV using optical fiber communication, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an FPV drone release and recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the card structure in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an FPV drone structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] In the diagram: 1 is the aerial delivery platform, 11 is the aircraft, 12 is the FPV drone release and recovery device, 2 is the visual perception module, 3 is the ground station, 4 is the communication module, 5 is the signal relay module, 6 is the intelligent control module, and 7 is the FPV drone. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] To overcome the limitations of drone range and communication distance, one embodiment of the present invention provides an FPV drone delivery system based on a large drone, such as... Figure 1As shown, it mainly includes an aerial delivery platform 1, a visual perception module 2, a ground station 3, a communication module 4, and a signal relay module 5. The aerial delivery platform 1 is used to carry and transport several FPV drones 7. After reaching the designated airspace, the aerial delivery platform 1 releases the FPV drones, and after the mission is completed, it recovers the FPV drones and returns. The visual perception module 2, mounted on the aerial delivery platform 1, collects real-time image information. The ground station 3 sends control signals to control the flight of the aerial delivery platform and the release, flight, and recovery of the FPV drones. The communication module 4, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, receives control signals from the ground station and forwards them to the aerial delivery platform and the FPV drones; it also sends image information from the visual perception module to the ground station. The signal relay module 5, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, receives signals from the communication module and forwards them to the FPV drones.

[0046] The above embodiments utilize an aerial delivery platform to deploy FPV drones, taking advantage of the long range and communication distance of the large drones that the platform itself can use, thus breaking the range and communication distance limitations of FPV drones. Furthermore, the unmanned nature of the aerial delivery platform effectively reduces personnel casualties during the deployment of FPV drones in battlefield operations.

[0047] To better achieve remote deployment and recovery of drones, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body of the air-to-ground deployment platform is a large drone used to carry and transport FPV drones. After arriving at the designated airspace, the FPV drones are released, and after the mission is completed, the FPV drones are recovered and returned.

[0048] Specifically, the aerial delivery platform can be divided into two sub-modules: the aircraft 11 and the FPV drone release and recovery device 12.

[0049] The aircraft is a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). As a transportation tool, it can leverage the advantages of large UAVs—long range and long communication distance—to carry FPV UAVs and overcome the limitations of range and communication distance. The FPV UAV release and recovery device is used for the rapid release and recovery of UAVs. Upon receiving a release or recovery command from the ground station, it can quickly release or recover the FPV UAV.

[0050] To ensure effective release and recovery, in a preferred embodiment, the FPV drone release and recovery device consists of a column with multiple retractable cards mounted on it. Specifically, multiple columns are fixed to the bottom of the aircraft, and the cards are strung together on the columns. Figure 4As shown, the card comprises a rhomboid structure made up of multiple elastic rods, which are movably connected to the column. In its unloaded state, it remains tightly closed against the column due to its own elasticity. A telescopic screw is installed inside the column. When the drone is secured, the telescopic screw extends outward, pushing the rhomboid structure outward. Of course, a through-hole needs to be made in the FPV drone, allowing the column to pass through, such as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0051] In the unreleased state, the FPV drone passes through the pillar and is secured by a fixing clip, such as Figure 3 As shown in (a).

[0052] When the drone needs to be released, the card retracts, and the FPV drone automatically falls and flies out after its bottom is unobstructed. Figure 3 As shown in (b). When the drone returns, the card is released, preventing the drone from falling and securing the FPV drone, as shown. Figure 3 As shown in (c).

[0053] The aerial delivery platform needs to deploy FPV drones based on ground information. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, a visual perception module is installed on the aerial delivery platform. In this embodiment, the visual perception module uses a high-definition camera to capture high-definition images of the ground. The image information is then transmitted to the ground station via a communication module. The operator at the ground station can observe and locate the target to be engaged based on the image information. For example, after locating the target in the image, the operator can maneuver the platform to fly over the target.

[0054] The communication module primarily receives signals from the ground station and forwards them to the airborne delivery platform or signal relay module, while simultaneously transmitting visual information from the visual perception module to the ground station. To ensure effective communication, a preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes information transmission methods such as radio, cable, or fiber optics.

[0055] For radio communication, the modules include: ground station radio transceiver equipment and aircraft radio transceiver equipment. The principle is to achieve communication between the ground station and the aircraft via radio, such as... Figure 1 As shown. Radio communication is suitable for situations where there is no electromagnetic suppression, the terrain is open, and radio communication is stable and uninterrupted. It requires no dragging cables, is lightweight, and has a long loiter time.

[0056] For fiber optic communication, the modules include: ground station-side optical transceiver, aircraft-side optical transceiver, and optical fiber. The principle is to first convert the electrical signals at both ends (ground station and aircraft) into optical signals, and then transmit them through the optical signals, thereby achieving communication between the two ends. Figure 2 As shown. Fiber optic communication is suitable for use in areas where radio communication is suppressed, such as electromagnetically blocked areas on the battlefield, mountainous areas, and other regions with poor radio communication.

[0057] When using cable communication, the communication module includes: ground station equipment, aircraft equipment, and the cable. The cable communication process is as follows: first, electrical signals from the ground station and aircraft are transmitted through the cable, thus achieving communication between the two ends. This method utilizes the conductivity of the cable to achieve efficient information transmission over short distances, making it suitable for use in stable environments. Cable communication has the advantages of simple structure and low cost. Before transmission through the cable, the signal is first converted into a specific protocol signal (such as UART, CAN, I2C, or SPI protocol) by the ground station and aircraft equipment, and then transmitted through the cable to the counterparty equipment for decoding.

[0058] The communication module's communication limit defines the range and communication range between the ground station and the airborne delivery platform. To further overcome these limitations, a signal relay module was installed on the airborne delivery platform. This module, mounted on a large UAV, receives signals from the communication module and forwards them to the FPV UAV. Specifically, this module has two sub-modules: a signal receiver and an antenna. The signal receiver receives commands from both the communication module and the smart strike module and transmits the signals to the FPV UAV via the antenna. The antenna is used to transmit signals to the FPV UAV, amplify the signal, and increase the communication range.

[0059] The ground station is used by operators to control the flight of large UAVs and FPV UAVs. It also receives images from the visual perception module and the FPV UAVs. Based on the two types of returned images, the FPV operator locates targets, avoids obstacles, and controls the flight of the FPV UAVs.

[0060] The deployment and recovery commands sent by the drone are transmitted to the aerial deployment platform via the communication module. The control commands for the FPV drone also need to be forwarded to the FPV drone via the signal relay module. With the joint cooperation of the aerial deployment platform, visual perception module, ground station, communication module, and signal relay module, the ground station supports human-in-the-loop mode. That is, when the system is in this mode, the FPV drone only performs flight missions according to the control signals sent by the ground station.

[0061] However, FPV drones are vulnerable to losing combat capability when subjected to radio suppression. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an intelligent control module is designed on the air-launching platform. This intelligent control module can receive ground image information from the visual perception module and perform target detection on the image information. If a target is found, its position information is obtained, and based on its position, flight commands are sent to the FPV drone via a signal relay module to fly to the vicinity of the target.

[0062] Therefore, based on the aforementioned intelligent control module, the ground station can also adopt another control mode, namely autonomous control mode: when the system is in this mode, the FPV UAV is controlled by the intelligent control module, and its flight is not subject to human intervention. If the aircraft loses contact with the ground station, the system has autonomous combat capability and can still autonomously carry out strike missions.

[0063] To gain a clearer and more detailed understanding of the technical content of the embodiments of the present invention, a specific embodiment of the present invention provides the entire process of performing a strike mission using the FPV drone delivery system based on a large drone as described in the above embodiments, as follows:

[0064] When the drone unit receives an airstrike mission, and after assessment, it is determined that the range and communication distance of the FPV drones cannot meet the airstrike requirements, the FPV drones are then mounted on the release and recovery device of the FPV drone deployment system based on large drones described in the above embodiment.

[0065] Generally, a human-in-the-loop control mode is initially employed. The ground station issues control commands, which are transmitted to the large UAVs via communication modules to execute the flight mission. That is, by utilizing the advantages of the long range and long communication distance of the large UAVs, a swarm of PFV UAVs is transported to the vicinity of the air strike target area.

[0066] Upon reaching the vicinity of the target, the ground station issues a deployment command, which is transmitted to the large UAV via the communication module, controlling the release and recovery device to release the FPV UAV.

[0067] The FPV drone operator sends control commands to the FPV drone via the ground station. The control commands are transmitted to the FPV drone via the communication module and signal relay module. The FPV drone then executes the operator's commands (such as flight control commands and bomb drop commands). The FPV image transmission signal is returned to the ground station via the signal relay module and communication module.

[0068] During the above process, the large UAV maintains flight or hovering, and its visual perception module continuously collects image information, which is then transmitted back to the ground station via the communication module.

[0069] Ground station operators combine the image information transmitted from the visual perception module with the image information returned from the FPV UAV image transmission module to continue searching for targets, avoiding obstacles, and controlling the FPV UAV to fly.

[0070] If a sudden signal anomaly occurs, such as the suppression of radio signals between the ground station and the large drone, or a break in the fiber optic cable, the human-in-the-loop control mode cannot continue, and the system will enter autonomous control mode.

[0071] The visual perception module sends the image information to the intelligent control module. After the intelligent control module determines the target location through its target detection function, it sends control commands through the signal relay module to autonomously control the FPV drone to fly towards the target and carry out an air strike.

[0072] After the mission is completed, if the signal between the ground station and the large UAV is restored, the human-in-the-loop control module will take over. The ground station will issue a recovery command, which will be transmitted to the still surviving FPV UAV via the communication module and the relay communication module. The FPV UAV will then return to the release and recovery device, where it will be recovered by the large UAV and returned to the base.

[0073] After the mission is completed, if the FPV drone is still in autonomous control mode, it will not be able to return to base by default and will not be recovered.

[0074] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications or variations within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. The above preferred features can be used in any combination without conflict.

Claims

1. An FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), characterized in that, include: An aerial delivery platform is used to carry and transport several FPV drones; after the aerial delivery platform arrives at the designated airspace, it releases the FPV drones, and after the mission is completed, it recovers the FPV drones and returns. The visual perception module, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, collects real-time image information; The ground station sends control signals to control the flight of the aerial delivery platform and to control the release, flight, and recovery of the FPV UAV. The communication module, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, receives the control signals from the ground station and forwards them to the aerial delivery platform and the FPV drone; at the same time, it sends the image information from the visual perception module to the ground station. A signal relay module, mounted on the aerial delivery platform, receives signals from the communication module and forwards them to the FPV drone; The aerial delivery platform includes: Aircraft, used as a transport vehicle carrying FPV drones; An FPV drone release and recovery device is installed below the aircraft to release and recover the FPV drone according to the control signals received from the ground station. The FPV drone release and recovery device includes: At least one of the columns is fixed to the underside of the aircraft; Cards, multiple cards are connected in series on a single column; the cards are capable of being unfolded and retracted; The FPV drone has a through hole in the center, which passes through the column. The card is fixed and released by unfolding and retracting. The card includes a rhomboid structure composed of multiple elastic rods, which are movably connected to the column. In its unloaded state, it remains tightly closed against the column due to its own elastic properties. A telescopic screw is installed inside the column. When the drone is fixed, the telescopic screw extends outward, pushing the rhomboid structure outward.

2. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The FPV drone is equipped with a radio signal receiver to receive instructions from the signal relay module and complete the mission. The FPV drone is equipped with an image transmission module and / or a bomb dropper. The image transmission module is used to collect image data during the flight of the FPV UAV and transmit it back to the ground station in sequence through the communication relay module and the communication module; the bomb dispenser is used to release munitions.

3. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal relay module includes: The signal receiver receives control signals from the communication module and directly acts on the air-launched platform to perform flight, release, or recovery actions; The antenna forwards the control signals received by the signal receiver to the FPV drone, which then assists the FPV drone in completing flight, release, or recovery actions.

4. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication module can be transmitted via radio communication, cable communication, or fiber optic communication. When radio communication is used, the communication module includes: ground station radio transceiver equipment and aircraft radio transceiver equipment; communication between the ground station and the aircraft is achieved via radio. When using fiber optic communication, the communication module includes: a ground station-end optical transceiver, an aircraft-end optical transceiver, and optical fiber; the ground station-end optical transceiver and the aircraft-end optical transceiver respectively convert the electrical signals at the ground station end and the aircraft end into optical signals, and then transmit them through optical signals to realize communication between the two ends; When using cable communication, the communication module includes: ground station equipment, aircraft equipment, and cable; Electrical signals from the ground station and the aircraft are transmitted via cables to enable communication between the two ends.

5. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ground station sends flight, deployment, and recovery control commands to the aerial deployment platform via the communication module; the ground station also sends FPV UAV control commands to the FPV UAV via the communication module and signal relay module.

6. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ground station adopts a human-in-the-loop control mode, in which the FPV UAV performs flight missions only according to the control signals sent by the ground station.

7. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an intelligent control module; The intelligent control module receives image information sent by the visual perception module and performs target detection; if a target exists, it obtains its location information and forwards it to the signal relay module to send flight commands to the FPV UAV, which then flies to the vicinity of the target.

8. The FPV drone delivery system based on a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ground station adopts an autonomous control mode; in this mode, the FPV UAV is controlled only by the intelligent control module and is not subject to manual intervention from the ground station.

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