Unmanned aerial vehicle emergency communication system with autonomous power supply

Abstract

The autonomous power supply unmanned aerial vehicle emergency communication system comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle system cooperatively working with a satellite link in a wireless manner, a ground communication base station, an autonomous power supply system for providing continuous energy for an unmanned aerial vehicle, and a communication safety guarantee system for guaranteeing communication safety. The system integrates photoelectric reconnaissance and environment monitoring capabilities, can return field high-definition videos and meteorological environment data in real time, and provides comprehensive information support for command decision making. Through highly-integrated autonomous power supply, multi-mode communication and safety protection technologies, rapid and lasting establishment of a post-disaster communication network is realized, and a communication guarantee is established safely.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication technology, and in particular to an autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system. Background Technology

[0002] When major natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and catastrophic forest fires occur, ground communication infrastructure (such as base stations and fiber optic cables) is easily damaged, leading to communication disruptions in disaster areas and creating "information islands" that severely hinder the dispatch of rescue forces and the transmission of disaster information.

[0003] Currently, common emergency communication support methods include emergency communication vehicles and drone platforms. However, emergency communication vehicles struggle to reach core disaster areas when roads are blocked. With the development of drone technology, using drones to carry communication base stations has become an emerging solution. However, existing solutions often have significant bottlenecks: First, limited endurance; conventional electric drones can only maintain flight for 1-3 hours, failing to meet the long-term, uninterrupted communication support needs after a disaster. Second, limited functionality; they typically only provide one communication mode, either public or private, failing to simultaneously meet the public network communication needs of disaster-stricken residents and the private network command and dispatch needs of rescue teams. Third, a lack of systematic security design; communication links are susceptible to interference, and data transmission faces the risk of theft and tampering. Fourth, inefficient energy management; failure to effectively utilize aerial renewable energy sources.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a multi-mode integrated UAV emergency communication system to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention utilizes highly integrated autonomous power supply, multi-mode communication, and security protection technologies to achieve rapid and sustainable establishment of post-disaster communication networks, thus ensuring secure communication.

[0007] (II) Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system, comprising: a UAV system, a ground communication base station, an autonomous power supply system, and a communication security platform; The unmanned energy system interacts bidirectionally with the ground communication base station via satellite link or broadband self-organizing network data link; its autonomous power supply system is installed on the unmanned energy system to provide a stable power supply for all electrical equipment of the unmanned system, such as multi-mode communication payload, flight control unit, and sensors. The communication security platform connects all communication links between the UAV system and the ground communication base station, and is used to encrypt and decrypt communication data, and to perform identity authentication and security management of access users and devices.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the unmanned intelligent system includes: Multimode communication payloads are used to construct air network access points that cover public mobile communication signals and private self-organizing network communication signals; The flight control unit receives and executes mission commands from the ground communication base station, controlling the UAV to autonomously fly to the mission area and achieve sustained hovering and circling. Airframe structure, used to support and physically mount the multi-mode communication payload, the autonomous power supply system, the flight control unit, and other equipment; The antenna system includes satellite communication antennas, public network base station antennas, and self-organizing network antennas, which are used to establish satellite links, transmit public network mobile communication signals, and receive and transmit self-organizing network signals, respectively.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the multi-mode communication payload comprises a public network base station module, a private network self-organizing network module, a satellite communication module, and an optoelectronic reconnaissance module; The public network base station module is connected to the public network base station antenna and is responsible for radiating the processed public network signal to the ground; the satellite communication module is connected to the satellite communication antenna and is responsible for establishing an inter-satellite link with the satellite; the private network self-organizing network module is connected to the self-organizing network antenna and is responsible for networking communication with ground private network terminals or other nodes.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the antenna portion of the public network base station module employs a multi-antenna array, including a first antenna located on the belly of the UAV, and second and third antennas located below the left and right wings respectively, with spacing between the antennas. to The tilt angle is adjusted to form a three-dimensional coverage beam, thereby optimizing the ground signal coverage effect.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the autonomous power supply system includes: The main power source is a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery pack, which serves as the primary source of electrical energy for the system. The auxiliary power source is a hydrogen fuel cell, which starts when the main power supply is below a threshold to provide supplemental power for extended driving range. The solar charging module consists of flexible solar cells laid on the upper surface of the drone's wings. The generated electrical energy is used to charge the main power supply through a maximum power point tracking controller. The power management unit is used to monitor the voltage, current and power status of the main power supply and auxiliary power supply in real time, intelligently schedule energy output priority, and control the start and stop of the solar charging module. The intelligent power distribution box receives instructions from the power management unit, converts the power input voltage, and distributes it into stable operating voltages of various standards required by each device in the multi-mode communication payload.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the intelligent power distribution box is installed inside the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cabin and is controlled by the flight control unit. It can remotely control specific load zones to be powered on or off according to the mission phase, so as to achieve energy-saving management.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the communication security system includes: The identity authentication module is integrated on the core network side of the ground communication base station and the payload side of the UAV, and performs two-factor authentication on terminal devices attempting to access the network based on digital certificates and dynamic token mechanisms. The data encryption unit uses the national cryptographic SM4 algorithm to encrypt communication service data and the SM9 algorithm for key exchange and authentication. The link redundancy controller monitors the quality of the primary satellite link in real time and automatically switches to the backup data link path built by the broadband self-organizing network equipment when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold or interrupted.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the ground communication base station also includes a disaster data fusion platform, which is used to receive and integrate multi-source data transmitted from UAVs, including communication status data, photoelectric image data, and environmental sensor data, to generate a comprehensive disaster situation map and distribute it to the superior emergency command center.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle system is also equipped with an environmental monitoring sensor group, including a temperature and humidity sensor, a toxic and harmful gas sensor, and a miniature weather station, for collecting environmental information in the disaster area and transmitting it back through the multi-mode communication payload.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, the system supports an intelligent task planning module based on artificial intelligence algorithms. This module is integrated into the ground communication base station and can automatically generate optimized flight paths, communication payload switching strategies, and power supply scheduling strategies for UAVs based on the input disaster range, meteorological information, and communication requirements.

[0018] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an autonomously powered emergency communication system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which has the following advantages: This invention provides an autonomous power supply system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that works in conjunction with wireless and satellite links, along with a ground communication base station. It also includes a communication security system to ensure communication safety. In addition to communication functions, the system integrates optoelectronic reconnaissance and environmental monitoring capabilities, enabling real-time transmission of high-definition video and meteorological data from the scene. This provides comprehensive intelligence support for command and decision-making, achieving integrated "communication + reconnaissance." Furthermore, this invention integrates new energy power supply, multi-mode fusion communication, and proactive security defense, solving key technical challenges in terms of endurance, coverage, and security for post-disaster emergency communication systems. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the functional modules of the system of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To better understand the purpose, structure, and function of this invention, the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, will further illustrate an autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system. Example 1

[0022] refer to Figure 1-2 The present invention discloses an autonomously powered emergency communication system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising: an UAV system, a ground communication base station, an autonomous power supply system, and a communication security platform; The unmanned energy system interacts bidirectionally with the ground communication base station via satellite link or broadband self-organizing network data link; its autonomous power supply system is installed on the unmanned energy system to provide a stable power supply for all electrical equipment such as the multi-mode communication payload, flight control unit, and sensors of the unmanned system. The communication security platform connects all communication links between the UAV system and the ground communication base station. It is used to encrypt and decrypt communication data and to authenticate and manage the access users and devices.

[0023] The ground communication base station also includes a disaster data fusion platform, which is used to receive and integrate multi-source data transmitted from UAVs, including communication status data, photoelectric image data, and environmental sensor data, to generate a comprehensive disaster situation map and distribute it to the superior emergency command center.

[0024] Unmanned systems include: Multimode communication payloads are used to construct air network access points that cover public mobile communication signals and private self-organizing network communication signals; The flight control unit receives and executes mission commands from the ground communication base station, controlling the UAV to autonomously fly to the mission area and achieve sustained hovering and circling. Airframe structure, used to support and physically mount the multi-mode communication payload, the autonomous power supply system, the flight control unit, and other equipment; The antenna system includes satellite communication antennas, public network base station antennas, and self-organizing network antennas, which are used to establish satellite links, transmit public network mobile communication signals, and receive and transmit self-organizing network signals, respectively.

[0025] Specifically, the UAV system of this invention, as an aerial platform, is the core of the entire system's execution. Its fuselage adopts a high-aspect-ratio wing design, which is beneficial for long-duration cruise. The flight control unit, the core control brain, integrates a high-precision flight control computer, navigation system, positioning system, and data link radio. It can receive flight missions transmitted from the ground station in real time and, combined with its own capabilities, achieve autonomous takeoff, landing, and flight maneuvers. The UAV system also carries an environmental monitoring sensor array, including temperature and humidity sensors, toxic and harmful gas sensors, and a miniature weather station, used to collect environmental information from disaster areas and transmit it back via the multi-mode communication payload.

[0026] The multi-mode communication payload, as the core functional module of this system, consists of a public network base station module, a private network self-organizing network module, a satellite communication module, and an optoelectronic reconnaissance module.

[0027] The public network base station module adopts a miniaturized 5G open base station, including a baseband processing unit and a radio frequency remote module. Its function is to simulate a miniature mobile communication base station. It should be further noted that the antenna section of the public network base station module uses a multi-antenna array, with the first antenna located on the belly of the drone, and the second and third antennas located under the left and right wings respectively, with spacing between the antennas. to The tilt angle is adjusted to form a three-dimensional coverage beam, thereby optimizing the ground signal coverage effect.

[0028] The private network self-organizing network module includes broadband self-organizing network equipment and narrowband self-organizing network communication payloads. These automatically form a decentralized ad-hoc network, allowing rescue personnel's dedicated walkie-talkies, individual image transmission equipment, and other devices to connect to this network for voice group calls, video backhaul, and data transmission, all without relying on any ground infrastructure. The satellite communication module includes a satellite modem and an airborne satellite communication antenna. It is responsible for establishing a transparent transmission link between the drone and the geostationary orbit communication satellite. Service data from the public network base station and the private network self-organizing network is transmitted back to the remote ground communication base station via this satellite link.

[0029] Furthermore, the autonomous power supply system of the present invention includes: The main power source is a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery pack, which serves as the primary source of electrical energy for the system. The auxiliary power source is a hydrogen fuel cell, which starts when the main power supply is below a threshold to provide supplemental power for extended driving range. The solar charging module consists of flexible solar cells laid on the upper surface of the drone's wings. The generated electrical energy is used to charge the main power supply through a maximum power point tracking controller. The power management unit is used to monitor the voltage, current and power status of the main power supply and auxiliary power supply in real time, intelligently schedule energy output priority, and control the start and stop of the solar charging module. The intelligent power distribution box receives instructions from the power management unit, converts the power input voltage, and distributes it into stable operating voltages of various standards required by each device in the multi-mode communication payload.

[0030] The intelligent power distribution box is located inside the drone cabin and is controlled by the flight control unit. It can remotely power on or off specific load zones according to the mission phase to achieve energy-saving management.

[0031] Specifically, flexible gallium arsenide solar cells are laid on the upper surface of the drone's wings, enabling it to convert solar energy into electricity during the day. The power management unit is the brain of the entire energy system. It continuously monitors the main power supply's charge level, the status of the auxiliary power supply, and the solar power generation capacity, adjusting usage through intelligent scheduling strategies.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication security system of the present invention includes: The identity authentication module is integrated on the core network side of the ground communication base station and the payload side of the UAV, and performs two-factor authentication on terminal devices attempting to access the network based on digital certificates and dynamic token mechanisms. The data encryption unit uses the national cryptographic SM4 algorithm to encrypt communication service data and the SM9 algorithm for key exchange and authentication. The link redundancy controller monitors the quality of the primary satellite link in real time and automatically switches to the backup data link path built by the broadband self-organizing network equipment when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold or interrupted.

[0033] Specifically, the security system is not standalone hardware, but rather embedded in various communication links as software protocols and modules. When a user terminal (mobile phone or private network terminal) attempts to access the network, it must undergo two-factor authentication. Public network users must enter a dynamic verification code issued by the emergency response department; private network terminals must verify their built-in digital certificates. Unauthorized terminals will be denied access. Example 2

[0034] This example uses a scenario following a major earthquake: The system was transported to a safe area near the disaster zone, and ground communication base stations were quickly set up and put into operation.

[0035] Then the operator delineates the disaster area on the command and control platform, and the AI ​​mission planning module automatically generates the optimal reconnaissance and coverage trajectory, which is then sent to the drone via satellite link. The drone then took off autonomously, flew to the target area, and began circling. Regarding network coverage: First, the public network base station module is activated and transmits signals. People in the disaster area receive a network signal displaying the words "China Emergency" on their mobile phones. They can then access the internet and contact family and friends to let them know they are safe by entering the provided temporary password. The dedicated network self-organizing module is activated, establishing a dedicated network. Rescue team members' walkie-talkies and individual equipment automatically connect to the network, enabling clear voice command and high-definition video transmission within and between teams. High-definition video captured by the optoelectronic pod and data on toxic gas concentrations detected by gas sensors are stably transmitted back to the ground station via satellite link and displayed on the fusion situation map in the command center.

[0036] Throughout the process, all communications are encrypted to prevent information leakage. When the mountain obstructs the satellite signal and causes a brief interruption, the link redundancy controller switches the data to the backup link within milliseconds, without the user noticing.

[0037] It is understood that the present invention has been described through some embodiments, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes or equivalent substitutions can be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, under the teachings of the present invention, these features and embodiments can be modified to adapt to specific situations and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An autonomously powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) emergency communication system, characterized in that, include: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, ground communication base stations, autonomous power supply systems, and communication security platforms; The unmanned intelligent system interacts bidirectionally with the ground communication base station via satellite link or broadband self-organizing network data link. Its autonomous power supply system is installed on the unmanned energy system to provide a stable power supply for all electrical equipment of the UAV system, such as the multi-mode communication payload, flight control unit, and sensors. The communication security platform connects all communication links between the UAV system and the ground communication base station, and is used to encrypt and decrypt communication data, and to perform identity authentication and security management of access users and devices.

2. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unmanned intelligent system includes: Multimode communication payloads are used to construct air network access points that cover public mobile communication signals and private self-organizing network communication signals; The flight control unit receives and executes mission commands from the ground communication base station, controlling the UAV to autonomously fly to the mission area and achieve sustained hovering and circling. Airframe structure, used to support and physically mount the multi-mode communication payload, the autonomous power supply system, the flight control unit, and other equipment; The antenna system includes satellite communication antennas, public network base station antennas, and self-organizing network antennas, which are used to establish satellite links, transmit public network mobile communication signals, and receive and transmit self-organizing network signals, respectively.

3. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The multi-mode communication payload consists of a public network base station module, a private network self-organizing network module, a satellite communication module, and an optoelectronic reconnaissance module. The public network base station module is connected to the public network base station antenna and is responsible for radiating the processed public network signal to the ground. The satellite communication module connects to the satellite communication antenna and is responsible for establishing inter-satellite links with satellites. The private network self-organizing network module connects to the self-organizing network antenna and is responsible for networking communication with ground private network terminals or other nodes.

4. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The antenna portion of the public network base station module employs a multi-antenna array, including a first antenna located on the belly of the UAV, and second and third antennas located below the left and right wings respectively, with spacing between the antennas. to The tilt angle is adjusted to form a three-dimensional coverage beam, thereby optimizing the ground signal coverage effect.

5. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The autonomous power supply system includes: The main power source is a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery pack, which serves as the primary source of electrical energy for the system. The auxiliary power source is a hydrogen fuel cell, which starts when the main power supply is below a threshold to provide supplemental power for extended driving range. The solar charging module consists of flexible solar cells laid on the upper surface of the drone's wings. The generated electrical energy is used to charge the main power supply through a maximum power point tracking controller. The power management unit is used to monitor the voltage, current and power status of the main power supply and auxiliary power supply in real time, intelligently schedule energy output priority, and control the start and stop of the solar charging module. The intelligent power distribution box receives instructions from the power management unit, converts the power input voltage, and distributes it into stable operating voltages of various standards required by each device in the multi-mode communication payload.

6. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The intelligent power distribution box is located inside the drone cabin and is controlled by the flight control unit. It can remotely power on or off specific payload zones according to the mission phase to achieve energy-saving management.

7. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication security system includes: The identity authentication module is integrated on the core network side of the ground communication base station and the payload side of the UAV, and performs two-factor authentication on terminal devices attempting to access the network based on digital certificates and dynamic token mechanisms. The data encryption unit uses the national cryptographic SM4 algorithm to encrypt communication service data and the SM9 algorithm for key exchange and authentication. The link redundancy controller monitors the quality of the primary satellite link in real time and automatically switches to the backup data link path built by the broadband self-organizing network equipment when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold or interrupted.

8. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ground communication base station also includes a disaster data fusion platform, which is used to receive and integrate multi-source data transmitted from UAVs, including communication status data, photoelectric image data, and environmental sensor data, to generate a comprehensive disaster situation map and distribute it to the superior emergency command center.

9. The autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unmanned aerial vehicle system is also equipped with an environmental monitoring sensor group, including temperature and humidity sensors, toxic and harmful gas sensors, and a miniature weather station, which are used to collect environmental information in the disaster area and transmit it back through the multi-mode communication payload.

10. An autonomously powered UAV emergency communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The system supports an intelligent task planning module based on artificial intelligence algorithms. This module is integrated into the ground communication base station and can automatically generate optimized flight paths, communication payload switching strategies, and power supply scheduling strategies for UAVs based on the input disaster range, meteorological information, and communication requirements.

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