An unmanned aerial vehicle outdoor communication device

Abstract

This utility model relates to an outdoor communication device for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), belonging to the field of aerospace technology. It solves the problem in existing technologies where outdoor communication base stations cannot monitor their own health status, requiring manual inspection and maintenance, resulting in wasted maintenance costs. This utility model includes an antenna unit and a control unit, with the control unit electrically connected to the antenna unit. The antenna unit includes two or more antennas, an antenna switching module, and an antenna monitoring module. The antenna switching module is used for switching between two or more antennas; the antenna monitoring module is used to monitor the status of directional and omnidirectional antennas; the control unit receives antenna status information from the antenna monitoring module and sends antenna switching commands to the antenna switching module. This utility model can reduce maintenance costs and achieve intelligent operation and maintenance monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aerospace technology, and in particular to an outdoor communication device for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of drones in long-endurance outdoor missions such as emergency rescue and border patrol, their communication relay systems face multiple challenges, including adaptability to complex environments, energy sustainability, and dynamic tracking capabilities. Existing outdoor communication base stations have significant shortcomings:

[0003] 1. Single power supply: Traditional devices rely on mains power or independent photovoltaic panels. Mains power wiring is limited in outdoor scenarios, while discrete solar panels easily take up antenna layout space and have insufficient power supply stability in cloudy and rainy weather.

[0004] 2. Functional separation: The communication, monitoring and turntable modules are designed separately, resulting in structural redundancy.

[0005] 3. Single communication antenna: If the communication antenna fails during use, timely and real-time communication with the drone will be impossible, which will seriously affect the drone's flight operations.

[0006] 4. Deficiencies in intelligence and operation and maintenance: Traditional devices cannot perform health monitoring of communication devices through the backend. Utility Model Content

[0007] Based on the above analysis, the present invention aims to provide an outdoor communication device for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to solve the problem that existing outdoor communication base stations cannot monitor their own health status, requiring manual and blind inspection and maintenance, which wastes maintenance costs.

[0008] The objective of this utility model is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0009] An outdoor communication device for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a control unit and an antenna unit; the control unit is electrically connected to the antenna unit.

[0010] The antenna unit includes two or more antennas, an antenna switching module, and an antenna monitoring module; the antenna switching module is used for switching between two or more antennas; the antenna monitoring module is used for monitoring the status of the directional antenna and the omnidirectional antenna.

[0011] The control unit receives the antenna status information from the antenna monitoring module and sends an antenna switching command to the antenna switching module.

[0012] Furthermore, the antenna unit includes a directional antenna or an omnidirectional antenna for tracking the UAV and providing communication transmission for the UAV. The control unit also adjusts the angle of the directional antenna according to the real-time location information of the UAV.

[0013] Furthermore, the antenna unit also includes a turntable and a pole; the turntable is disposed on the top of the pole, and the directional antenna is connected to the turntable; the turntable is used to adjust the rotation and pitch movements of the directional antenna, so that the directional antenna is always facing the UAV; the turntable is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the turntable includes a rotating assembly for driving the directional antenna to rotate; the rotating assembly includes a rotating disk, a rotating motor, and a rotating motor driver.

[0015] Furthermore, the turntable also includes a pitch assembly for adjusting the pitch angle of the directional antenna; the pitch assembly includes a pitch dial, a pitch motor, and a pitch motor driver.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes an antenna bracket, on which the omnidirectional antenna is mounted, and the antenna bracket is detachably mounted on the upper part of the pole.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a surveillance camera, which is mounted on the antenna bracket and is used to monitor the surrounding environment of the communication device.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes a power supply unit, which includes an AC power supply module, a solar power supply module, and a dual-mode power supply switch; the dual-mode power supply switch is used to switch between the AC power supply module and the solar power supply module.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a positioning unit; the positioning unit includes an RTK antenna and an RTK receiver processor; the RTK antenna is used to capture radio frequency signals and transmit them to the RTK receiver processor; the RTK receiver processor is used for signal processing and calculation.

[0020] Furthermore, it also includes a communication unit, which includes a wireless network unit and a wired network unit.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention can achieve at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0022] (1) Compared with the existing technology, the outdoor communication device of the drone cannot monitor its own health status and requires manual blind inspection and maintenance, which wastes maintenance costs, this utility model sets up an antenna monitoring module to realize intelligent monitoring of the antenna status of the key component of the communication device, supports remote status diagnosis and adaptive frequency band switching, reduces maintenance costs, and realizes intelligent operation and maintenance and monitoring; this utility model sets up dual redundancy of directional antenna and omnidirectional antenna to ensure the smooth flight operation of the drone.

[0023] (2) Compared with the traditional turntable body, which is bulky and slow in response, and has separate design of communication, monitoring and turntable modules with redundant structure, this utility model sets up a turntable structure with turntable and motor combination for the rotation and / or pitch movement of directional antenna, to ensure that directional antenna tracks the flight operation of UAV in real time, to provide stable communication transmission for UAV, to ensure the smooth flight operation of UAV, and to integrate communication, monitoring and turntable functions. It has a simple structure and reliable operation.

[0024] (3) This utility model integrates a dual-mode power supply system of solar energy and mains power, and sets up a dual-mode power supply switch. It uses solar energy to supplement the limitations of mains power, and automatically switches to mains power supply and battery charging when the battery energy is low, so as to achieve energy complementarity in outdoor scenarios and avoid communication link failure caused by power outage.

[0025] (4) This utility model is equipped with an RTK antenna and an RTK receiver processor for the deployment and positioning of the UAV outdoor communication device. When the communication device is deployed in a jungle or a remote place, it is convenient for maintenance personnel to find it and improve maintenance efficiency.

[0026] (5) This utility model is equipped with a monitoring camera for monitoring the surrounding environment and a wired / wireless network for communication, integrating intelligent monitoring and surveillance into one, which facilitates intelligent operation and maintenance and improves the anti-interference capability in complex electromagnetic environments.

[0027] In this invention, the above-described technical solutions can be combined with each other to achieve more preferred combinations. Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and some advantages will become apparent from the description or be learned by practicing this invention. The objectives and other advantages of this invention can be realized and obtained from the details specifically pointed out in the text and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a front view of a drone outdoor communication device according to a specific embodiment;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a right view of a drone outdoor communication device according to a specific embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the drone outdoor communication device according to a specific embodiment;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a solar cell in a specific embodiment;

[0033] Figure 5 This is an internal structural diagram of the device power supply box in a specific embodiment;

[0034] Figure 6 This is an internal structural diagram of the communication equipment box in a specific embodiment;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the turntable in a specific embodiment;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the turntable in a specific embodiment.

[0037] Figure label:

[0038] 1-Pole; 2-Antenna bracket; 3-Antenna unit; 31-Directional antenna; 32-Omnidirectional antenna; 33-Antenna switching module; 34-Antenna monitoring module; 35-Turntable; 351-Mounting platform; 352-Rotating assembly; 3521-Rotating turntable; 3522-Rotating motor; 3523-Rotating motor driver; 353-Pitch assembly; 3531-Pitch turntable; 3532-Pitch motor; 3533-Pitch motor driver; 354-Turntable connector; 4-Monitoring camera; 5-Equipment power supply box; 6-Communication equipment box; 7-Communication unit; 71-Network antenna; 72-Network interface; 73-Router; 8-Positioning unit; 81-RTK antenna; 82-RTK receiver processor; 9-Power supply unit; 91-Mainss power interface; 911-Regulated power supply; 92-Solar panel; 93-Solar cell; 94-Power supply dual-mode switcher; 10-Control board. Detailed Implementation

[0039] One specific embodiment of this example is, for example... Figure 1 As shown, an outdoor communication device for unmanned aerial vehicles is disclosed, including an antenna unit 3 and a control unit, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the antenna unit 3.

[0040] Antenna unit 3 includes two or more antennas, an antenna switching module 33, and an antenna monitoring module 34. The antenna switching module 33 is used for switching between two or more antennas; the antenna monitoring module 34 is used to monitor the status of the directional antenna 31 and the omnidirectional antenna 32.

[0041] The control unit receives the antenna status information from the antenna monitoring module 34 and sends an antenna switching command to the antenna switching module 33.

[0042] Compared to existing technologies where drone outdoor communication devices cannot monitor their own health status and require manual inspection and maintenance, resulting in wasted maintenance costs, this embodiment sets up an antenna monitoring module 34 to achieve intelligent monitoring, support remote status diagnosis and adaptive frequency band switching, reduce maintenance costs, and achieve intelligent operation and maintenance and monitoring. This embodiment also sets up dual redundancy with a directional antenna 31 and an omnidirectional antenna 32 to ensure the smooth flight operation of the drone.

[0043] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drone outdoor communication device includes a pole 1. The pole 1 is vertically positioned to support the various components of the communication device.

[0044] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, antenna unit 3 includes an antenna, an antenna switching module 33, and an antenna monitoring module 34.

[0045] The antenna includes a directional antenna 31 and an omnidirectional antenna 32. The directional antenna 31 and omnidirectional antenna 32 are used to track the drone and provide communication transmission for it. The control unit also adjusts the angle of the directional antenna 31 according to the real-time location information of the drone. The directional antenna 31 is the preferred antenna for drone communication, and the omnidirectional antenna 32 is a backup antenna.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the directional antenna 31 is mounted on the top of the pole 1. The communication device also includes an antenna bracket 2, which is detachably mounted on the upper part of the pole 1, and the omnidirectional antenna 32 is mounted on the antenna bracket 2.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, antenna unit 3 also includes a turntable 35, to which the directional antenna 31 is connected. The turntable 35 is used to adjust the rotation and pitch of the directional antenna 31, thereby ensuring that the directional antenna 31 is always facing the UAV. The turntable 35 is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0048] For example, the turntable 35 includes a mounting platform 351, a rotation component 352, and a pitch component 353. The mounting platform 351 is disposed at the rear of the directional antenna 31. Further, it also includes a turntable connector 354, through which the turntable 35 is mounted on the pole 1.

[0049] The rotating component 352 is used to drive the directional antenna 31 to rotate. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the rotating assembly 352 includes a rotating turntable 3521 and a rotating motor 3522. The rotating turntable 3521 is located at the lower part of the mounting platform 351. The rotating motor 3522 drives the rotating turntable 3521 to rotate, thereby rotating the mounting platform 351 and the directional antenna 31 to adjust the angle of the directional antenna 31.

[0050] The pitch assembly 353 is used to adjust the pitch angle of the directional antenna 31; the pitch assembly 353 includes a pitch turntable 3531 and a pitch motor 3532. The pitch turntable 3531 is disposed on one side of the mounting platform 351, and the pitch motor 3532 drives the pitch turntable 3531 to rotate, so as to achieve the pitch angle of the mounting platform 351 and the directional antenna 31.

[0051] The turntable 35 also includes a rotary motor driver 3523 and a pitch motor driver 3533, which are used to control the rotary motor 3522 and the pitch motor 3532, respectively.

[0052] Compared to traditional turntables 35, which are bulky, slow in response, and have separate communication, monitoring, and turntable modules with redundant structures, this embodiment uses a turntable structure combining a turntable and a motor for the rotation and pitch movement of the directional antenna 31. This ensures that the directional antenna 31 follows the UAV's flight operations in real time, provides stable communication transmission for the UAV, guarantees the smooth flight operations of the UAV, and integrates communication, monitoring, and turntable functions. The structure is simple and the operation is reliable.

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, the antenna switching module 33 is used to switch between the directional antenna 31 and the omnidirectional antenna 32. When the directional antenna 31 fails or is in an unhealthy state, the antenna switching module 33 switches the communication antenna from the directional antenna 31 to the omnidirectional antenna 32. The antenna monitoring module 34 is used to monitor the status of the directional antenna 31 and the omnidirectional antenna 32, realizing intelligent monitoring and intelligent operation and maintenance.

[0054] Furthermore, it also includes surveillance camera 4, such as Figure 1 As shown, the surveillance camera 4 is mounted on the antenna bracket 2 to monitor the surrounding environment and ensure the stable operation of the outdoor communication device.

[0055] It also includes a power supply box 5 and a communication equipment box 6 installed on pole 1. The power supply box 5 is used for the installation and protection of power supply and network equipment. The communication equipment box 6 is used for the installation and protection of communication unit 7.

[0056] Furthermore, it also includes a communication unit 7. The communication device performs network transmission through the communication unit 7. The communication unit 7 includes a wireless network unit and a wired network unit. The wireless network unit includes a network antenna 71, and the wireless network is received through the network antenna 71, which is mounted on the antenna bracket 2 for receiving 4G / 5G signals. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the communication equipment box 6 is equipped with a router 73 and a network interface 72. The router 73 is used for wired and wireless network transmission, and the wired network unit includes a network interface 72, which is used for wired network access.

[0057] This embodiment is equipped with a monitoring camera 4 for monitoring the surrounding environment and a wired / wireless network for communication, integrating intelligent monitoring and surveillance into one, which facilitates intelligent operation and maintenance and improves the anti-interference capability in complex electromagnetic environments.

[0058] Furthermore, it also includes a positioning unit 8. The positioning unit includes an RTK antenna 81 and an RTK receiver processor 82, i.e., RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and an RTK receiver processor. The RTK antenna 81 is used to capture radio frequency signals for satellite positioning and transmit them to the RTK receiver processor 82. The RTK receiver processor 82 is used to receive and process the information from the RTK antenna 81. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the RTK antenna 81 is mounted on the antenna bracket 2. Figure 6 As shown, the RTK receiver processor 82 is located inside the communication equipment box 6.

[0059] This embodiment includes an RTK antenna 81 and an RTK receiver processor 82 for the deployment and positioning of the UAV's outdoor communication device. Deploying the communication device in jungles or remote areas facilitates location by maintenance personnel, improving maintenance efficiency.

[0060] Furthermore, this embodiment also includes a power supply unit 9, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the power supply unit 9 includes an AC power module, a solar power module, and a dual-mode power supply switch 94, as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the dual-mode power supply switch 94 is used for switching between mains power and solar power.

[0061] The AC power module includes an AC power interface 91 for connecting to AC power. The AC power interface 91 has a regulated power supply 911 that converts the input 220V AC power into a stable low voltage. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the mains power interface 91 is located at the bottom of the equipment power supply box 5. Figure 5 As shown, the regulated power supply 911 is located inside the power supply box 5 of the equipment, and the mains power module is used when the power supply from the solar cell 93 is insufficient.

[0062] The solar power module includes a solar panel 92 and a solar cell 93. For example... Figure 2 As shown, solar panel 92 is installed on the upper part of pole 1 for receiving and storing solar energy. Figure 4 As shown, solar cells 93 are installed inside the power supply box 5 and the communication equipment box 6, and are used for energy storage of solar power generation and power supply to the drone's outdoor communication device.

[0063] This embodiment integrates a dual-mode power supply system of solar energy and mains power, and sets up a dual-mode power supply switch 94. The solar energy supplements the mains power limitation, and the solar cell 93 automatically switches to mains power supply and solar cell 93 charging when the energy is low, so as to achieve energy complementarity in outdoor scenarios and avoid communication link failure due to power outage.

[0064] The control unit is electrically connected to the rotary motor driver 3523 and the pitch motor driver 3533 of the turntable 35, and is also electrically connected to the antenna monitoring module 34 and the antenna switching module 33. The control unit is used to adjust the pitch and rotation angles of the directional antenna 31 according to the real-time position information of the UAV, receive antenna status information from the antenna monitoring module 34, and send antenna switching commands to the antenna switching module 33. The control unit is also electrically connected to the background control system to receive instructions from the background control system. In this embodiment, the control unit is the control board 10, which is the core circuit board controlling the entire communication device. Figure 5 As shown, the control board 10 is mounted on the bottom plate of the equipment power supply box 5.

[0065] The usage method of this embodiment is as follows:

[0066] When the drone is powered on and ready for flight, the remote operator selects the outdoor communication device to communicate with the drone in the background. After receiving the connection command from the background control system, the control board 10 issues commands to the rotary motor 3522 driver and the pitch motor 3532 driver. Based on the real-time drone position information from the drone's positioning module, the control board 10 controls the rotary motor 3522 and the pitch motor 3532 to drive the directional antenna 31, ensuring that the vertical line of the center point of the directional antenna 31 points towards the drone about to take off. The directional antenna 31 will communicate with the drone via a specific interaction frequency and commands. During the drone's flight, the control board 10 issues commands to the rotary motor driver 3523 and the pitch motor driver 3533, ensuring that the directional antenna 31, driven by the rotary motor 3522 and the pitch motor 3532, always maintains the vertical line of its center point pointing towards the drone, guaranteeing smooth communication. When the antenna monitoring module 34 detects that the directional antenna 31 is malfunctioning or in an unhealthy state, it transmits the information to the control board 10 via the router 73 network. The control board 10 then activates the antenna switching module 33 to switch the communication antenna from the directional antenna 31 to the omnidirectional antenna 32 to communicate with the drone, ensuring smooth communication for the drone.

[0067] The device prioritizes power supply from solar cell 93. When encountering prolonged cloudy or rainy weather, if solar panel 92 charges slowly, solar cell 93 will detect low power and power supply dual-mode switcher 94 will start working to switch the charging and power supply of solar panel 92 to mains power supply to ensure stable power supply.

[0068] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle outdoor communication device, characterized in that, It includes a control unit and an antenna unit (3); the control unit is electrically connected to the antenna unit (3); The antenna unit (3) includes two or more antennas, an antenna switching module (33), and an antenna monitoring module (34); the antenna switching module (33) is used for switching between the two or more antennas; the antenna monitoring module (34) is used for monitoring the status of the two or more antennas. The control unit receives the antenna status information from the antenna monitoring module (34) and sends an antenna switching command to the antenna switching module (33).

2. The UAV outdoor communication device of claim 1, wherein, The antenna unit includes a directional antenna (31) or an omnidirectional antenna (32) for tracking the UAV and providing communication transmission for the UAV. The control unit also adjusts the angle of the directional antenna (31) according to the real-time location information of the UAV.

3. The UAV outdoor communication device of claim 2, wherein, The antenna unit (3) further includes a turntable (35) and a pole (1); the turntable (35) is disposed on the top of the pole (1), and the directional antenna (31) is connected to the turntable (35); the turntable (35) is used to adjust the rotation and pitch of the directional antenna (31), so that the directional antenna (31) is always facing the UAV; the turntable (35) is electrically connected to the control unit.

4. The UAV outdoor communication device of claim 3, wherein, The turntable (35) includes a rotating assembly (352) for driving the directional antenna (31) to rotate; the rotating assembly (352) includes a rotating disk (3521), a rotating motor (3522) and a rotating motor driver (3523).

5. The UAV outdoor communication device of claim 4, wherein, The turntable (35) also includes a pitch assembly (353) for adjusting the pitch angle of the directional antenna (31); the pitch assembly (353) includes a pitch turntable (3531), a pitch motor (3532), and a pitch motor driver (3533).

6. The UAV outdoor communication device of claim 3, wherein, It also includes an antenna bracket (2), on which the omnidirectional antenna (32) is mounted, and the antenna bracket (2) is detachably mounted on the upper part of the pole (1).

7. The UAV outdoor communication device of claim 6, wherein, It also includes a surveillance camera (4); the surveillance camera (4) is mounted on the antenna bracket (2) and is used to monitor the surrounding environment of the communication device.

8. The unmanned aerial communication device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, It also includes a power supply unit (9); the power supply unit (9) includes a mains power supply module, a solar power supply module and a dual-mode power supply switch (94); the dual-mode power supply switch (94) is used to switch between the mains power supply module and the solar power supply module.

9. The drone outdoor communication device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, It also includes a positioning unit (8); the positioning unit (8) includes an RTK antenna (81) and an RTK receiver processor (82); the RTK antenna (81) is used to capture the radio frequency signal of satellite positioning and transmit it to the RTK receiver processor (82); the RTK receiver processor (82) is used for signal processing and calculation.

10. The unmanned aerial communication device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, It also includes a communication unit (7), which includes a wireless network unit and a wired network unit.

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