Drone network and operation method

Abstract

To provide a drone network and a method for efficiently managing energy use.SOLUTION: A drone network includes: a first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter and a first processor; and a second drone positionable at a distance from the first drone, the second drone including a second receiver, a second transmitter and a second processor. The first transmitter is configured to emit a signal towards the second drone for reception at the second receiver. The second processor is configured to determine minimum signal power required to process the signal at the second drone. The second transmitter is configured to emit a return signal towards the first drone for reception at the first receiver. The return signal contains minimum signal power data as determined by the second processor. The first processor is configured to modulate the power of signals to be emitted towards the second drone from the first transmitter on the basis of the minimum signal power data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The field of the disclosure relates generally to unmanned aerial vehicles, and more specifically, to systems and methods for efficiently managing energy usage in drone networks. [Background technology]

[0002] Unmanned aerial vehicles, such as flying drones, are used to perform communication, delivery, and / or reconnaissance and surveillance missions. To perform these missions, the flying vehicles may be grouped into an interconnected, at least semi-autonomous "swarm." The swarm may include multiple vehicles that can communicate with each other to coordinate drone operation and operation during mission execution. Each vehicle may be equipped with communications equipment, and one or more vehicles in the swarm may be equipped with a payload for performing a particular mission. Additionally, flying vehicles typically use propeller propulsion systems to maintain flight and travel between destinations. At least some known aerial vehicles derive power from batteries onboard the vehicle to facilitate communication, mission execution, and propulsion operations. Among other problems with known networks, batteries provide a finite amount of power, limiting the ability of the swarm to perform missions for extended periods of time.

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, as described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, these descriptions should be read in light of the above, and not as admissions of prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment is a drone network. The network includes a first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor, and a second drone that can be placed at a distance from the first drone. The second drone includes a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor. The first transmitter is configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, and the second processor is configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone. The second transmitter is configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver. The return signal includes minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor is configured to modulate the power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data.

[0005] Another aspect is a drone including a receiving subsystem configured to receive a signal and a processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the drone. The processor is also configured to identify excess signal power included in the signal based on a difference between a power of the signal and the minimum signal power. The drone further includes an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power.

[0006] Yet another aspect is a method of controlling operation of a drone network, the method including: outputting a first signal from a first drone, receiving the signal at a second drone in the network, identifying at the second drone a minimum signal power required for processing the signal at the second drone, outputting a return signal from the second drone to the first drone including the identified minimum signal power data at the second drone, and outputting a second signal from the first drone to the second drone, the power of the second signal being modulated based on the minimum signal power data.

[0007] There are various modifications of the features described in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the disclosure. In addition, the above-mentioned aspects of the disclosure may include additional features. These modifications and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For example, the various features described below in relation to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be included alone or in any combination in any of the above-mentioned aspects of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary drone network. [Diagram 2] 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for managing energy usage in the network shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating another method for managing energy usage in the network shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal components of a drone that can be used in the network shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for operating a drone network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

[0010] Examples described below include systems and methods for efficiently managing energy usage in drones or drone networks. As used herein, the term "drone" refers to an autonomous or remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicle. The drones in the network may be relatively small drones consuming approximately 10 watts of power, bee-sized drones, or handheld drones. While a "swarm" of drones is stationary over a destination or traveling to and from a destination, the drones are typically spaced apart from one another. For example, a first drone on the outer edge of the swarm may be a first distance away from a second drone on the opposite outer edge of the swarm, and a second, shorter distance away from a third drone located in the interior of the swarm. In one example, the drones in the network use a laser communication system to facilitate high data rate communication between each other to coordinate drone operations and missions. As described herein, drone operation can be dynamically adjusted to conserve power while performing communication operations and to store excess power obtained from signals transmitted between drones in the network or received from ground systems.

[0011] For example, the systems and methods described herein can facilitate transmitting signals between drones in a network, such as from a first drone to a second, third, and / or subsequent drones, in an energy-efficient manner. In one example, the first drone includes a transmitting subsystem that transmits a signal to at least the second drone. The first drone also includes a receiving subsystem that receives a return signal from the second drone. The return signal includes data that allows the first drone to modulate its signal transmission power to a minimum signal power that can be handled by the second drone. Thus, the first drone can conserve energy and battery life by transmitting a signal at a minimum signal power that does not exceed the signal power required to communicate with the second drone. However, because the third drone is located at a second distance shorter from the first drone, the modulated signal is received at the third drone with excess signal power. Thus, the third drone includes an energy harvesting subsystem for harvesting and storing the excess signal power at the third drone. The drones can be repositioned relative to one another to facilitate balancing the power consumption load and energy harvesting potential of the group. Thus, drones can coordinate with one another to improve operational performance in a swarm and can improve data transmission security by maintaining a broadcast area within the physical space defined by the swarm.

[0012] In this specification, the use of an element or step in the singular does not exclude a plurality of elements or steps, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, reference to an "example," "exemplary embodiment," or "one embodiment" of the present disclosure does not exclude the existence of other embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example drone network 100. In an example embodiment, the network 100 includes a number of drones 102 that define a constellation 104. The drones can move independently of one another within and outside of the constellation 104 or can move synchronously with one another in coordinated operations. The drones 102 are wirelessly communicatively connected to one another to facilitate and coordinate the operation of the individual drones 102 in the constellation 104. Additionally, at least some of the drones 102 may be spaced apart at different distances from one another within the constellation 104. For example, the drones 102 may include a first drone 106, a second drone 108 spaced apart from the first drone 106 by a first distance D1, and a third drone 110 spaced apart from the first drone 106 and the second drone 108 by a shorter second distance D2.

[0014] By positioning the first drone 106 and the second drone 108 on opposite outer edges of the constellation 104, the second drone 108 may be the drone 102 located furthest from the first drone 106 in the constellation 104. To allow effective communication between the first drone 106 and the second drone 108, the signal transmitted between them has a signal power greater than a threshold power level. Drones 102 at closer distances from the first drone 106 compared to the second drone 108 are also intended or unintended receivers of the signal transmitted from the first drone 106 to the second drone 108. However, the signal transmitted from the first drone 106 to the second drone 108 may contain excess signal power when received by other drones 102, such as the third drone 110, due to the proximity of the other drones 102 to the first drone 106. As described in more detail below, the excess power contained in the signal is collected and stored by the other drones 102 to increase the operational uptime of the constellation 104.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for managing energy usage in network 100 (shown in FIG. 1). In an exemplary embodiment, a first drone 106 outputs a first signal 112 for reception by a second drone 108. The second drone 108 analyzes the first signal 112 to identify a minimum signal power (i.e., a threshold power level) required for the second drone 108 to process the signal output from the first drone 106. For digital signals, the signal processing capabilities of the second drone 108, and therefore the ability to identify a minimum signal power and possibly excess power in the signal, are based at least in part on the ability of the second drone 108 to decipher bits of a bit stream that defines the signal. For example, a processor (shown in FIG. 4) of the second drone 108 analyzes the signal to identify a bit error rate, which is compared to a threshold value (i.e., a minimum signal bit error rate). If the identified bit error rate exceeds the threshold value, a minimum signal power is confirmed and excess signal power may be present. For analog signals, the signal processing capability of the second drone 108 is based, at least in part, on the spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of the signal. For example, the minimum signal power can be identified as the power at the lower end of the SFDR, and the excess signal power can be identified as the power at any power level greater than the lower end of the SFDR.

[0016] In one example, the first drone 106 outputs the first signal 112 with a fading power level to facilitate identification of the lowest signal power. For example, in the first processing step 114 shown in FIG. 2, the first drone 106 outputs the first signal 112 with a first signal power that is greater than the minimum power required for the second drone 108 to process the first signal 112. If the first drone 106 continues to output the first signal 112 at the first signal power, the valuable reserve power in the first drone 106 may be used up at an inefficient rate. Furthermore, outputting the first signal 112 at a signal power greater than the signal power required for the second drone 108 to process it may cause the first signal 112 to be carried outside the network 100 and received by an unsafe, unintended third party receiver. Therefore, in the first processing step 114 to the second processing step 116, the signal power of the first signal 112 is gradually reduced from the first signal power to the second signal power. In an exemplary embodiment, the fading power level of the first signal 112 is monitored at the second drone 108. The second drone 108 analyzes the fading power level to identify a minimum signal power required for the second drone 108 to process the first signal 112.

[0017] In a third processing step 118, the second drone 108 outputs a return signal 120 toward the first drone 106. The return signal 120 includes minimum signal power data that provides the first drone 106 with information regarding the power level at which the first signal 112 should be output to the second drone 108 and processed at the second drone 108. The return signal 120 may be output toward the first drone 106 at the minimum signal power. The first drone 106 receives the return signal 120 and modulates the power of the signal it outputs toward the second drone 108 based on the minimum signal power data. Thus, in a fourth processing step 122, effective and power-saving communication is established between the first drone 106 and the second drone 108. Specifically, to facilitate energy conservation in the first drone 106 and the second drone 108, the first signal 112 and the return signal 120 are transmitted between the first drone 106 and the second drone 108 at a minimum signal power.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, a third drone 110 is disposed between the first drone 106 and the second drone 108 throughout processing steps 114, 116, 118, and 122. In operation, the third drone 110 analyzes the first signal 112 and the return signal 120 to identify a minimum signal power required for the third drone 110 to process the signals output from the first drone 106 and the second drone 108. Because the third drone 110 is disposed a shorter second distance D2 (shown in FIG. 1 ) from the first drone 106 and the second drone 108, the minimum signal power for processing the first signal 112 and the return signal 120 at the third drone 110 is less than the minimum signal power for processing the first signal 112 at the second drone 108, for example. Thus, the third drone 110 can identify that the first signal 112 and the return signal 120 include excess signal power upon receipt at the third drone 110. The excess signal power can be determined based on the difference between the power of the first signal 112 and the return signal 120 received by the third drone 110 and the minimum signal power for processing the signals at the third drone 110. Thus, the third drone 110 can collect and store the excess signal power to improve operational performance and service life.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative method of managing energy usage in the network 100 (shown in FIG. 1). As described above, the second drone 108 analyzes the first signal 112 output from the first drone 106 to identify a minimum signal power required for the second drone 108 to process the signal output from the first drone 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the first drone 106 outputs the first signal 112 at a fixed power level to facilitate the identification of the minimum signal power. For example, in the first processing step 124 shown in FIG. 3, the first drone 106 outputs the first signal 112 having a signal power greater than a minimum power required for the second drone 108 to process the first signal 112. The second drone 108 then attenuates the power level of the first signal 112 by an attenuation value. The attenuation value is identified based on the difference between the minimum signal power and the power of the first signal 112 received by the second drone 108. In a second processing step 126, the second drone 108 outputs a return signal 120 toward the first drone 106. The return signal 120 includes minimum signal power data including an attenuation value identified by the second drone 108. The first drone 106 receives the return signal 120 and modulates the power of the signal output toward the second drone 108 based on the minimum signal power data, for example, modulating the power of the signal in proportion to the attenuation value. Thus, in a third processing step 128, an effective and power-saving communication is established between the first drone 106 and the second drone 108. Specifically, the first signal 112 and the return signal 120 are transmitted between the first drone 106 and the second drone 108 at minimum signal power to facilitate energy saving of the first drone 106 and the second drone 108.

[0020] In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, for example, if interference limits the ability of the second drone 108 to process the signal 112, it is also possible to increase the signal power output from the first drone 106 to identify a minimum signal power.

[0021] 1 , the drones 102 in the constellation 104 can move independently of one another within and outside of the network 100, and / or can move synchronously with one another in coordinated operations. For example, the constellation 104 can be located at a fixed position relative to the Earth as the drones 102 move relative to one another. Alternatively, the constellation 104 can move at a velocity relative to the Earth as the drones 102 move relative to one another. In either example, the drones 102 can move relative to one another to facilitate balancing the power consumption loads and energy collection potentials in the constellation 104.

[0022] For example, in the constellation configuration shown in FIG. 1, the first drone 106 has a large power consumption load compared to the third drone 110 because the first drone 106 needs to use more power to effectively communicate with the second drone 108 than it does to communicate with the third drone 110. Thus, moving the first drone 106 inward from a position at the periphery of the constellation 104 can reduce the distance of the first drone 106 relative to the other drones 102 in the constellation 104 and reduce the amount of power required to effectively communicate with the other drones 102. In one example, the first drone 106 may be moved to the relative center of the constellation 104 after being located at the periphery for a predetermined period of time or based on an analysis of the remaining battery life of the first drone 106.

[0023] In another example, the relative positions of the first drone 106 and the third drone 110 in the constellation 104 may be swapped to move the third drone 110 from the relative center of the constellation 104 to the periphery of the constellation 104. During operation of the constellation 104 and until the swap, the third drone 110 uses less transmit power and collects power from the other drones 102. Thus, moving the first drone 106 and the third drone 110 relative to each other facilitates balancing the power consumption load and energy collection potential across the constellation 104.

[0024] Although the above description refers to drones 106, 108, and 110, the processes of receiving, analyzing, power modulation, and transmitting may be performed simultaneously by all drones 102 in the network 100 to facilitate management of energy savings.

[0025] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal components of a drone 102 usable in network 100 (shown in FIG. 1). In an exemplary embodiment, drone 102 includes a transmitting subsystem 130, a receiving subsystem 132, an energy collecting subsystem 134, and a processor 136. Subsystems 130, 132, and 134 may share one or more components among each other. Thus, drone 102 includes a collection lens 138 and a culminating lens 140 for outputting an output signal 142 and receiving an input signal 144 from other drones 102.

[0026] In a first receiving mode, the input signal 144 is routed towards the circulator 146 via the lenses 138 and 140. The circulator 146 may be a free space optical circulator or a fiber-based circulator 146. The circulator 146 is a passive multi-port device that allows signals to be transmitted and received from the same component. Thus, the input signal 144 received at the circulator 146 is routed towards an adjustable beam splitter 148. The beam splitter 148 is controlled by the processor 136 to determine the splitting ratio performed by the beam splitter. In an alternative example, the input signal 144 received at the circulator 146 is routed towards an adjustable fiber coupler (not shown). In one example, the processor 136 controls the beam splitter 148 to split the input signal 144 into a first output 150 and a second output 152. As will be described in more detail below, the first output 150 is routed towards the processor 136 and the second output 152 is routed towards components of the energy collection subsystem 134 .

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the first output 150 is routed through an optical filter 154 and a receiver 156 disposed between the beam splitter 148 and the processor 136. The optical filter 154 filters noise from the first output 150 of the input signal 144 and the receiver 156. The receiver 156 is formed by a photodiode that converts an optical signal to an electronic signal and an electrical filter that filters electrical noise from the signal. The processor 136 then analyzes the first output 150 to identify a minimum signal power required to process the input signal 144 at the drone 102. The transmission subsystem 130 includes a laser emitter 158 in communication with the processor 136 and a collimator 160 disposed between the laser emitter 158 and each of the lenses 138 and 140. Thus, in one example, the processor 136 controls the laser emitter 158 to transmit an output signal 142 (e.g., return signal 120) including the minimum signal power data once the minimum signal power is identified, as described above. In one embodiment, the laser emitter 158 is a CWNd 3+ :YAG emitter.

[0028] In an alternative example, a number of the drones 102 in the fleet 104 are equipped with standalone laser emitters 158, while the remaining drones 102 are equipped with laser emitters 158 that are modulating retroreflectors. Thus, a number of the drones 102, such as a single drone 102, may be laser transmitting sources, and the remaining drones 102 may conserve energy by reflecting signals received from the source.

[0029] In the first receiving mode, the processor 136 also analyzes the input signal 144 to determine whether there is excess signal power in the signal. The input signal 144 may be received from other drones 102 in the constellation 104 or from a ground system. If the processor 136 determines that the input signal 144 contains excess signal power, the processor 136 adjusts the ratio of the beam splitter 148 so that a second output 152 of the input signal 144 is routed towards the energy collection subsystem 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy collection subsystem 134 includes photovoltaic (PV) cells 162, a DC-DC (power) converter 164, and a battery 166 electrically connected to the power consuming components of the drone 102. During operation, the solar cells 162 convert the energy of the input signal 144 (i.e., the laser transmission) into electricity, which the DC-DC converter 164 further converts for storage in the battery 166. Alternatively, the output of the DC-DC converter may be routed directly to the energy consuming components of the drone 102.

[0030] In the second receive mode, the drone 102 may be a receiver of the input signal 144, which includes the minimum signal power data. To facilitate conserving the battery 166, the input signal 144 may be analyzed by the processor 136 and the operation of the transmit subsystem 130 may be adjusted accordingly. In an exemplary embodiment, the transmit subsystem 130 includes an optical modulator 168 that receives the output from the laser emitter 158 and selectively manipulates the output to generate the output signal 142. For example, if the processor 136 determines that the output signal 142 is being transmitted at a power level greater than the minimum signal power, the optical modulator 168 is operable to reduce the power level of the output signal 142 to the minimum signal power.

[0031] 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 200 of operating a drone network. The method 200 includes outputting 202 a first signal from a first drone, receiving 204 the signal at a second drone in the network, identifying 206 a minimum signal power at the second drone required for processing the signal at the second drone, outputting 208 a return signal from the second drone to the first drone including the identified minimum signal power data at the second drone, and outputting 210 a second signal from the first drone to the second drone, the power of the second signal being modulated based on the minimum signal power data.

[0032] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes the following appended claims, and the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0033] Addendum 1. A drone network including: a first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor; and a second drone deployable at a distance from the first drone and including a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor, wherein the first transmitter is configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, the second processor is configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone, the second transmitter is configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor is configured to modulate power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data.

[0034] Addendum 2. The network of claim 1, wherein the first transmitter is configured to output a signal having a fading power level, and the second processor is configured to monitor the fading power level to identify the lowest signal power.

[0035] Appendix 3. The network of any one of Appendixes 1 to 2, wherein the first transmitter is configured to output a signal at a fixed power level, and the second processor is configured to generate the minimum signal power data based on an attenuation value determined based on a difference between a power of the signal and the minimum signal power.

[0036] Addendum 4. The network of any of Addendums 1-3, wherein the first processor is configured to modulate the power of a signal output toward the second drone to a power level approximately equal to the minimum signal power.

[0037] Addendum 5. The network of any of Addendums 1-4, wherein the second processor is further configured to identify excess signal power contained in the signal based on a difference between a power of the signal and the lowest signal power, and the second drone further includes an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power within the second drone.

[0038] Appendix 6. The network of any of appendices 1-5, further comprising a third drone that can be deployed at a shorter distance from the first drone compared to the second drone, the third drone including a third receiver configured to receive the signal output by the first drone, a third processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required to process the signal at the third drone and to identify excess signal power contained in the signal based on a difference between the power of the signal and the minimum signal power, and an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power within the third drone.

[0039] Appendix 7. The network of Appendix 6, wherein the third drone further includes a third transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for receipt by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the third processor, and the first processor configured to modulate the power of signals output from the first transmitter toward the second drone and the third drone based on an analysis of the minimum signal power data included in the return signal.

[0040] Appendix 8. A drone including a receiving subsystem configured to receive a signal, a processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the drone and to identify excess signal power contained in the signal based on a difference between the power of the signal and the minimum signal power, and an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power.

[0041] Appendix 9. The drone of Appendix 8, further comprising a transmission subsystem having a laser emitter and an optical modulator, both controllable by the processor, the laser emitter configured to provide an output towards the optical modulator, and the optical modulator configured to selectively modulate the power of the output to form a signal output from the drone.

[0042] Addendum 10. The drone of Addendum 9, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the signal includes excess signal power, and, if the excess signal power is determined, to modulate the power of the output signal using the optical modulator.

[0043] Addendum 11. The drone of any one of Addendums 9 to 10, wherein the laser emitter includes a modulated retroreflector.

[0044] Addendum 12. A drone as described in any of Addendums 9 to 11, further comprising a circulator configured to selectively route outputs and inputs between the receiving subsystem and the transmitting subsystem.

[0045] Addendum 13. The drone of Addendum 8, further comprising a transmission subsystem configured to output a return signal from the drone, the return signal including the lowest signal power data identified by the processor.

[0046] Addendum 14. The drone of Addendum 8, wherein the receiving subsystem includes a beam splitter controllable by the processor, and the energy collection subsystem includes a battery, and the processor is configured to determine whether the signal includes excess signal power based on a first output received from the beam splitter, and when the excess signal power is determined, to instruct the beam splitter to provide a second output to the battery including the excess signal power.

[0047] Addendum 15. The drone of Addendum 14, wherein the energy collection subsystem further includes a solar cell and a power converter connected between the beam splitter and the battery to convert the second output into storable power.

[0048] Appendix 16. A method of controlling operation of a drone network, comprising: outputting a first signal from a first drone; receiving the signal at a second drone in the network; identifying at the second drone a minimum signal power required for the signal to be processed by the second drone; outputting a return signal from the second drone to the first drone including minimum signal power data identified at the second drone; and outputting a second signal from the first drone to the second drone, wherein the power of the second signal is modulated based on the minimum signal power data.

[0049] Appendix 17. The method of Appendix 16, further comprising: receiving the signal at a third drone in the network, the third drone being positionable at a shorter distance from the first drone compared to the second drone; accumulating excess signal power included in the signal output from the first drone at the third drone; selectively moving the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone relative to one another to position the second drone at a shorter distance from the first drone than the third drone; and accumulating excess signal power included in the signal output from the first drone at the second drone.

[0050] Addendum 18. The method of Addendum 17, wherein the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone comprise a drone constellation, the method further comprising positioning the drone constellation at a fixed position relative to the Earth as the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone move relative to one another.

[0051] Addendum 19. The method of any one of Addendums 17 to 18, wherein the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone form a drone constellation, the method further comprising moving the drone constellation at a velocity relative to the Earth as the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone move relative to each other.

[0052] Addendum 20. A method as described in any of Addendums 17 to 19, wherein a plurality of drones including at least the first drone and the second drone constitute a drone population, and the method further includes moving the first drone to a relative center of the drone population.

[0053] The description of the present specification uses examples to disclose various embodiments, including the best mode, and also enables those skilled in the art to make and use any device or system, and to perform the incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that may occur to a person skilled in the art upon reading the specification. Such other examples should be considered to be within the scope of the claims if they have elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. a first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor; a second drone positionable at a distance from the first drone and including a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor, the first transmitter configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, the second processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone, the second transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor configured to modulate a power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data; 1. A drone network, comprising: the first transmitter configured to output a signal having a fading power level; and the second processor configured to monitor the fading power level to identify the lowest signal power.

2. A first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor; a second drone positionable at a distance from the first drone and including a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor, the first transmitter configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, the second processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone, the second transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor configured to modulate a power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data; 11. A network comprising: a first transmitter configured to output a signal at a fixed power level; and a second processor configured to generate the minimum signal power data based on an attenuation value determined based on a difference between a power of the signal and the minimum signal power.

3. 3. The network of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first processor is configured to modulate a power of a signal output toward the second drone to a power level approximately equal to the lowest signal power.

4. A first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor; a second drone positionable at a distance from the first drone and including a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor, the first transmitter configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, the second processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone, the second transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor configured to modulate a power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data; the second processor is further configured to identify excess signal power in the signal based on a difference between a power of the signal and the lowest signal power, the second drone further including an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power within the second drone.

5. A first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor; a second drone positionable at a distance from the first drone and including a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor, the first transmitter configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, the second processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone, the second transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor configured to modulate a power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data; The method further includes a third drone that can be positioned at a shorter distance from the first drone compared to the second drone, the third drone being: a third receiver configured to receive the signal emitted by the first drone; A third processor configured to identify a minimum signal power for processing the signal at the third drone and identify excess signal power in the signal based on a difference between the power of the signal and the minimum signal power; an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power within the third drone.

6. 6. The network of claim 5, wherein the third drone further includes a third transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for receipt by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the third processor, and the first processor configured to modulate power of signals output from the first transmitter toward the second drone and the third drone based on analysis of the minimum signal power data included in the return signal.

7. A first drone including a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a first processor; a second drone positionable at a distance from the first drone and including a second receiver, a second transmitter, and a second processor, the first transmitter configured to output a signal toward the second drone for reception by the second receiver, the second processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by the second drone, the second transmitter configured to output a return signal toward the first drone for reception by the first receiver, the return signal including minimum signal power data identified by the second processor, and the first processor configured to modulate a power of a signal output from the first transmitter toward the second drone based on the minimum signal power data; Each of the first and second drones is a receiving subsystem configured to receive a signal; a processor configured to identify a minimum signal power required for processing the signal by each drone and to identify excess signal power in the signal based on a difference between the power of the signal and the minimum signal power; and an energy collection subsystem configured to collect and store the excess signal power.

8. 8. The drone network of claim 7, wherein each drone further includes a transmission subsystem comprising a laser emitter and an optical modulator, both controllable by the processor, the laser emitter configured to provide an output towards the optical modulator, and the optical modulator configured to selectively modulate a power of the output to form a signal output from each drone.

9. the processor is configured to determine whether the signal includes excess signal power, and if the excess signal power is determined, to modulate the power of the output signal using the optical modulator; the laser emitter includes a modulated retroreflector; and The drone network of claim 8 , further comprising at least one of: a circulator configured to selectively route outputs and inputs between the receiving subsystem and the transmitting subsystem.

10. 1. A method for controlling operation of a drone network, comprising: Outputting a first signal from a first drone; receiving the first signal at a second drone in the network; Identifying, at the second drone, a minimum signal power required for processing the first signal at the second drone; outputting a return signal from the second drone to the first drone, the return signal including the lowest signal power data identified by the second drone; outputting a second signal from the first drone to the second drone, the power of the second signal being modulated based on the lowest signal power data; receiving the first signal at a third drone in the network, the third drone being located at a shorter distance from the first drone compared to the second drone; accumulating, in the third drone, surplus signal power included in the first signal output from the first drone; selectively moving the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone relative to one another to position the second drone at a shorter distance from the first drone than the third drone; The method further includes storing, in the second drone, excess signal power included in the first signal output from the first drone.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone comprise a drone constellation, the method further comprising positioning the drone constellation at a fixed position relative to the Earth as the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone move relative to one another.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone comprise a drone constellation, the method further comprising moving the drone constellation at a velocity relative to Earth as the first drone, the second drone, and the third drone move relative to one another.

13. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein a plurality of drones including at least the first drone and the second drone constitute a drone fleet, the method further comprising: moving the first drone to a relative center of the drone fleet.

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