Method and system for protecting low-altitude airspace against unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles by using a base station having communication and jamming functions

Abstract

A method and system for protecting low-altitude airspace against unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles by using a base station having communication and jamming functions. The present invention relates to the field of communications, unmanned aerial vehicles, and security supervision, and specifically to a method and system for managing unmanned aerial vehicles to protect low-altitude safety by using a wireless communication network base station to provide low-altitude wireless signal coverage comprising communication signals and jamming signals. "Low altitude, slow speed, and small size" unmanned aerial vehicles have become the main users of low-altitude airspace in China, but the safety supervision on the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles in low-altitude airspace is difficult to implement. By means of the present invention, the function of a jamming signal generator is integrated into a base station (base station having communication and jamming functions), and the effective coverage of communication / jamming signals in restricted areas can be realized in a cost-effective manner through wide deployment of base station network systems, imparting the restricted areas with a significant electromagnetic signal characteristic, thereby effectively preventing the intrusion of unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, the management and control of authorized networked unmanned aerial vehicles is implemented through networking and communication, providing technical means for the electronic management of unmanned aerial vehicles in low-altitude airspace.

Description

An integrated interference base station method and system for low-altitude drone safety issues Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of communications, drones, and safety supervision, and in particular to a method and system for implementing low-altitude safety management of drones by using wireless communication network base stations to achieve low-altitude wireless signal coverage, including communication signals and interference signals. Background Art

[0002] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are unmanned aerial vehicles that are controlled by radio remote control equipment and self-contained program control devices. Drones are actually a general term for unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0003] An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), also known as an unmanned aircraft system, is a system consisting of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the associated remote control station, the required command and control data links, and any other components specified in the approved type design. Simply put, it is an aircraft plus remote control equipment.

[0004] The current market and applications of drones are booming. It is estimated that by 2025, the output value of drones will reach 180 billion yuan, maintaining an average annual growth rate of more than 25%.

[0005] In recent years, with the rapid development of drone technology, the drone industry has flourished. Due to their low cost, minimal risk of casualties, strong survivability, excellent maneuverability, and ease of use, drones are finding increasing application in a growing number of industries. For example, aerial photography, agricultural and forestry plant protection, and power inspections are already widely using drones to replace traditional general aviation aircraft for related operations. With the growing number of drones and their increasing popularity, drones have become the primary user of low-altitude airspace in my country, following traditional general aviation aircraft. However, due to their "low, slow, and small" characteristics (low-altitude, slow-speed, small aircraft), drones are difficult to detect by radar, making monitoring drone flights a major challenge in low-altitude airspace surveillance.

[0006] Drone low-altitude control refers to a series of measures to control and manage the flight paths, altitudes, and speeds of drones at low altitudes to ensure the safety of drones and other aerial activities and to avoid potential threats to the ground and personnel. These measures include restricting drone activity areas, establishing no-fly zones, guiding drone flights, and monitoring drone operating status.

[0007] For drone flight control, no-fly / restricted-fly zones are often set up in some sensitive areas or areas where large crowds gather, and the no-fly / restricted zones have certain height restrictions.

[0008] A no-fly zone is an area where drones are prohibited from flying. Drones are not allowed to take off from within the area, nor are they allowed to fly into the no-fly zone from other areas.

[0009] Restricted flying zones have certain restrictions on the flight altitude and speed of drones. Drones flying in these areas must comply with the corresponding restrictions.

[0010] The challenges of low-altitude drone control are mainly manifested in:

[0011] Regulation is difficult because low-altitude airspace is occupied by a large number of drones, increasing both the difficulty and cost of regulation. Currently, there is a lack of practical electronic regulatory technology.

[0012] Dynamic management is required. Due to the rapid changes in the position and altitude of drones, low-altitude control needs to dynamically update regulatory information. At the same time, the restricted areas themselves may also be adjusted (such as temporary gatherings).

[0013] When a drone is found flying illegally in a restricted area, existing drone jammer products can suppress the point-to-point communication between the drone and the remote controller, disrupt the GPS navigation system, and force the drone to hover, automatically land, or drive it away, thereby ensuring the safety of low-altitude airspace.

[0014] Drones use three main frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and 433 MHz. The 2.4 GHz band is one of the most popular and frequently used. It transmits communication signals between drones and remote controllers, as well as data from drone cameras. The 5.8 GHz band is another popular band, primarily used to transmit FPV (first-person view) camera feeds. Due to its higher frequency, 5.8 GHz-band drones offer higher bandwidth and data transmission speeds. The 433 MHz band is a lower-frequency band, primarily used to transmit GPS and other wireless control system signals. Drones operating in the 433 MHz band are more capable of ensuring stable signal transmission over long distances and in low-signal environments. In addition to these three main frequency bands, there are other bands that should not be ignored, such as 915 MHz, 868 MHz, 1.2 GHz, and 2.3 GHz. Interference with a drone's operating frequency band can limit its flight and trigger appropriate safety mechanisms.

[0015] With the gradual prosperity of the low-altitude economy, the number of drones has steadily increased. When there are legally flying drones in the area at the same time, the above-mentioned management methods against illegally flying drones are difficult to use. The jammers are likely to cause additional damage, causing normal flying drones to be interfered with. Therefore, it is necessary to treat drones differently to achieve reasonable management and control.

[0016] The rapid development of the drone industry has also created new demands for drone communication links, showing a trend of close integration with cellular mobile communication technology, resulting in "connected drones." This involves using mobile communication terminals onboard drones to transmit data over mobile communication networks. Drone regulation based on cellular networks will enable pre-emptive warning, in-flight control, and post-event tracking, making it an effective regulatory tool against illegal flights and air traffic disruptions.

[0017] Base stations are important components of cellular mobile communication networks. As communication infrastructure, they are ubiquitous. On the towers, power supply, antenna feed, transmission and other resources are all available. Aerial cellular networking is an effective means to cope with the large-scale mobility characteristics of drones.

[0018] To prevent unauthorized drone flights, which can cause leaks, collisions, and noise, an efficient and cost-effective low-altitude security system is needed. Currently, a variety of detection solutions exist in the drone security market, but all face numerous limitations in terms of technology, efficiency, and cost.

[0019] Base stations are specialized equipment designed for "communication," while radars are designed for "perception." The functions of radar are integrated into base stations, and a single set of equipment is used to simultaneously realize the functions of communication and perception. The fusion of communication and perception systems is called "communication and perception integration," or "synaesthesia integration" or "synaesthesia" for short.

[0020] Integrated communication and perception technology allows multiple base stations that need to be deployed in low-altitude security areas to be integrated with radar functions. Combined with the computing resources within the base stations, a low-altitude security system can be quickly built. As long as the base station signal is reachable, invading drones can be located and tracked in real time, providing a reference for the security system's next decision-making.

[0021] However, the integrated synaesthesia technology still cannot achieve the goal of distinguishing between legal and illegal flying drones for low-altitude safety management, lacks disposal methods, and the existing terrestrial mobile communication network (PLMN) is optimized for coverage of ground mobile terminals, and has insufficient coverage of aerial signals for drones.

[0022] At the TC5WG9107 meeting of the China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), Super Rank Technology proposed the idea of ​​establishing a Public Air Mobile Network (PAMN). It attempts to provide sufficient air cellular network signal coverage for aerial communications of drones with corresponding network connection capabilities by adjusting the direction of base station antenna signals / system transformation, thereby opening up a feasible path forward for real-time flight supervision and information transmission of networked drones with network communication capabilities.

[0023] Beamforming is a signal processing technique used to control the direction of signal propagation and enhance its signal-to-noise ratio. It achieves this by combining signals from multiple receiving or transmitting antennas. Beamforming algorithms can be used to steer signals, suppress interference, and minimize reflections and fading.

[0024] The specific principle is to construct a linear combination of multiple receiving / transmitting antennas so that these combination vectors have the maximum gain in a given direction and the minimum gain in other directions.

[0025] In the present invention, beamforming can be used to improve the communication quality of the communication link of the networked drone, and can also be used to construct a directional interference signal to interfere with the working frequency band of the drone.

[0026] Summary of the Invention

[0027] The present invention provides a communication-jamming integrated base station method and system for solving the low-altitude safety problem of unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0028] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0029] The present invention discloses an integrated interference base station method for solving the low-altitude safety problem of unmanned aerial vehicles, as shown in FIG1 , the method comprising:

[0030] Step 101: The base station provides communication signal coverage to the UAV flight area and interference signal coverage to the target restricted area.

[0031] Interference signal frequency bands include point-to-point communication bands used by drones, GPS navigation bands, and other frequency bands. Base station communication bands are usually authorized frequency bands (such as 2 / 3 / 4 / 5G bands), which are not used by other types of equipment and are not within the interference frequency bands. The parameters of the interference device can be adjusted, and networked drones can transmit data through the communication network within the coverage area of ​​the base station communication signal.

[0032] The restricted area may be the same as or different from the coverage area of ​​a single base station communication signal. The restricted area may be covered by multiple base stations in a coordinated manner, and the interference working mode selection may be different.

[0033] Step 102: The drone flies into a restricted area.

[0034] If the drone is a network-connected drone equipped with a network terminal capable of communicating with a base station, proceed to step 104; otherwise, proceed to step 103.

[0035] Because restricted areas have no clear boundaries in the air, drones may enter restricted areas intentionally or unintentionally, including drones that have obtained flight approval to fly in restricted areas.

[0036] In the present invention, all drones that are authorized to fly in restricted areas must be equipped with a network communication terminal.

[0037] To facilitate management, when a networked drone is flying in the air, after establishing a communication connection with a base station, it should report flight-related control information such as its location to assist the base station in determining whether it is in a restricted area;

[0038] Step 103: The non-networked drone cannot fly normally due to signal interference and lands / returns according to the built-in program;

[0039] When a non-networked drone enters a restricted area, its point-to-point communication control link is interfered with by the base station, making it unable to continue flying. The built-in program has preset handling measures such as landing / returning to the original route;

[0040] Step 104: When other data links fail, the networked drone communicates with the base station via the network connection, submits data, and receives control commands.

[0041] Since the networked drone can maintain a communication connection with the base station, it can submit data and receive control instructions, and can perform flight actions according to the data link of the console through the communication network, such as landing at a fixed point and flying away according to a specified route;

[0042] During this process, the network may also provide information assistance. For example, the base station may suspend interference with the GPS signal to allow the drone to locate and report its position. Alternatively, the base station may continue to interfere and utilize the base station network's perception and positioning function to send corrected positioning information to the drone through the network data link. The networked device may also directly adjust its flight control function operating parameters according to the network data.

[0043] The present invention also discloses a system of an integrated interference base station for solving the low-altitude safety problem of unmanned aerial vehicles, as shown in FIG2 , the system includes:

[0044] Interference integrated base station (module 201-module 203), drone (module 204)

[0045] Module 201, a base station communication module, establishes an air interface communication link for data exchange when the UAV is a networked UAV;

[0046] The network air interface communication link uses the authorized frequency band and is not within the interference frequency band;

[0047] Module 202, a base station control module, adjusts the interference signal pattern of module 203 based on the acquired restricted area parameters and the communication interaction information between module 201 and module 204;

[0048] The parameters to be adjusted include the interference signal power, interference signal direction, etc., in order to match the interference signal with the target restricted area without generating excessive outward interference.

[0049] Module 203, the jamming signal module, generates jamming signals to the drone's data link, including by adjusting the antenna pointing and electronic beamforming, to cover the target restricted area with jamming signals in a specific frequency band (excluding the authorized frequency band for network communication), thereby disabling the drone's point-to-point communication / GPS navigation functions;

[0050] The interference mode can be a long-term static setting or dynamically adjusted according to actual needs, including start / stop / power adjustment / signal direction adjustment, etc.

[0051] Traditional mobile communication network antenna panels are tilted toward the ground to optimize ground coverage. However, since drones primarily operate in the air, the antenna panels of the base station described in the present invention can be tilted toward the sky to optimize air coverage in order to reduce interference with ground networks.

[0052] The communication / control / interference modules of the base station can be physically independent devices, and there can be multiple of them distributed in different locations to cover the collaborative area, and connected to each other through wired or wireless communication;

[0053] Module 204, the drone module, maintains data connection through the air interface data link when the drone is equipped with a network communication terminal (networked drone) and other data links are interfered with and cannot work, and operates according to network transmission instructions. Otherwise, it performs operations such as landing / returning home according to a predetermined built-in program.

[0054] The present invention integrates the interference signal generator function into the base station (interference integrated base station). Through the widespread deployment of the base station network system, it can economically achieve effective coverage of communication / interference signals in restricted areas, give the restricted areas obvious electromagnetic signal characteristics, and thus effectively prevent the intrusion of illegal flying drones. At the same time, it can realize the management and control of legally flying networked drones through network communication, and provide a technical means for the electronic management of low-altitude drone flights. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG1 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention;

[0056] FIG2 is a system structure diagram of the present invention;

[0057] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a single-station operation embodiment of a communication-interference integrated base station according to the present invention;

[0058] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of multi-base station collaboration with integrated communication and interference base stations according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0060] FIG3 is embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0061] As shown in Figure 3, the communication signal coverage area of ​​the integrated jammer base station is also set as a flight restricted area. In this area, an omnidirectional antenna is used to interfere with the point-to-point control link frequency band (2.4GHz / 5.8GHz) of the drone. After the drone enters the restricted area, different situations may occur depending on the type of drone.

[0062] Non-networked drone 1, due to the loss of point-to-point control link, triggered the built-in return-to-origin program, thus leaving the flight restricted area;

[0063] Networked drone 2, which had made prior registration and was flying legally, maintained a communication link with the communication and jamming integrated base station after the point-to-point control link was lost. Its control console established a communication link with the ground network base station, and ultimately formed a network control data link for the networked drone through the communication link between the public network base stations. The networked drone continued to fly through the flight restricted area and completed the flight plan;

[0064] If the networked drone has not been reported in advance and has the function of controlling its flight movements through a network data connection, the integrated jamming base station can guide it to a fixed landing point.

[0065] FIG4 is a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Usually, the flight restricted area and the base station signal range are not unified, and the control measures are also graded. In the figure, the communication signal area S of base stations 0-4 jointly covers the restricted area. The core prohibited flight area is formed by base station 0 using a distributed interference signal module to form interference areas A1-A5 for drone communication / navigation full-band interference. The restricted flight area is demarcated by the protection zone of the permitted flight route. Base stations 1-4 set interference areas B1-B4 respectively to interfere with the drone communication frequency band to protect the flight safety of the route. In some boundary areas, the interference areas may overlap.

[0067] If a non-connected drone flies within the illustrated area and encounters A1-A5, both control and navigation fail, triggering the in-place landing safety mechanism. If it encounters B1-B4, the control link fails and the drone returns to its original route according to the navigation safety mechanism.

[0068] The networked drone flies within the communication signal coverage area S, establishes a communication link with the integrated interference base station, reports flight control information such as position, and flies according to the permitted route under the alternating control of multiple base stations, passing through interference areas B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 and avoiding interference areas A1-A5;

[0069] Example 3 is an example of dynamically changing the interference mode of the integrated interference base station.

[0070] Since continuous interference may hinder some normal business functions, for example, near airports, while interfering with the navigation frequency band of drones, it may also affect the GPS navigation function of commercial flights. Therefore, according to prior agreement, the interference signal can be intermittently turned on at certain time intervals, and the interference can be stopped during the GPS positioning working cycle of commercial flights (for example, when the flight lowers its altitude to prepare for landing). Similarly, for networked drones, the base station can notify the start and stop arrangements of the interference signal through the network communication link. In this way, when the interference is stopped, the networked drone can operate normally (or leave the interference area in time). During the interference period, it can fly according to the flight plan arranged by the network (or hover in place and wait). Business restriction information / interference parameter information / network connection information can all be collected and coordinated at the base station (or the information processing equipment connected to it).

[0071] Example 4 is an example of increasing the perception capability of an integrated communication and jamming base station, that is, an integrated communication, sensing and jamming base station. The base station can track the position of the drone through the integrated radar capability. The base station has an antenna array that can send directional interference signal beams. In the initial state, no interference signal is sent. When the base station detects a drone in the set no-fly zone (and its legal identity cannot be confirmed through the network communication link), the base station can send a directional interference beam to the direction of the position through the detected invading drone position through the interference module beamforming antenna array, thereby disabling the invading drone function and forcing it to land (the interference beam direction and power can be adjusted according to the change in the drone position). When the drone is detected to have landed, the interference beam is stopped and the initial state is restored.

[0072] To ensure the accuracy of the direction of the interference beam, the configuration parameters of the directional interference beam for each location in the restricted area can be pre-stored in the base station through pre-measurement verification. After obtaining the location information where interference is required, the configuration parameters are called to form the interference beam transmission signal.

[0073] The base station can also use the method of controlling the mechanical transmission device to rotate the direction of the electronic jamming gun to achieve the effect of sending a directional jamming beam.

[0074] When there are both legally flying networked drones and illegally invading drones in a restricted area, the position of the networked drones can be adjusted through the network communication link. After the illegally invading drones are separated, directional beams can be emitted to carry out interference attacks.

[0075] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for an integrated jamming base station for low-altitude safety issues of unmanned aerial vehicles, the method comprising: Step 101, the base station provides communication signal coverage to the UAV flight area, and at the same time provides interference signal coverage to the target restricted area; The communication frequency band of the base station is not within the interference frequency band, and the networked drone can transmit data through the communication network within the coverage of the base station communication signal; Step 102: The drone flies into a restricted area. If the drone is a network-connected drone equipped with a network terminal that can communicate with the base station, proceed to step 104; otherwise, proceed to step 103; Step 103, the non-networked drone cannot fly normally under signal interference, and lands / returns according to the built-in program; Step 104, when other data links fail, the networked drone communicates with the base station through the network connection, submits data and receives control command actions; When a networked drone is flying in the air, after establishing a communication connection with a base station, it should report flight-related control information such as its location to assist the base station in determining whether it is in a restricted area; Networked drones can maintain communication connections with base stations, submit data and receive control instructions, and perform flight actions according to the data link of the control console through the communication network.

2. The base station according to claim 1, characterized in that In addition to the communication function, the base station also has the function of generating interference signals. The interference frequency band is aimed at the point-to-point communication and navigation functions of the drone, and does not include the mobile network communication frequency band of this base station.

3. The base station according to claim 1, characterized in that One or more base stations provide interference signal coverage for restricted areas. One base station can connect and control multiple interference signal generating devices, and the parameters of the interference devices can be adjusted.

4. The base station according to claim 1, characterized in that In the event of possible interference with ground communication networks, the base station antenna panel / beam direction can be pointed toward the sky based on the aerial flight characteristics of drones to optimize air coverage.

5. The base station according to claim 1, characterized in that The interference signal can be sent intermittently (or the direction / power parameters of the interference signal can be adjusted), and can be started and stopped / adjusted according to pre-set / networked drone communication link notification / drone detection results, etc.

6. The base station according to claim 1, characterized in that The base station can save the configuration parameters of the interference beam for each location through preliminary measurement verification, and call them when starting interference at the specified location.

7. The networked drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: It has network communication capabilities and can maintain network communication connection with the base station in restricted areas when the point-to-point communication link is interfered with.

8. The networked drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: When flying in the air, flight control information can be reported through the network data connection, and flight movements can be controlled through the network data connection.

9. The networked drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: Drones that are authorized to fly in restricted areas must have network communication capabilities.

10. An integrated communication and jamming system for low-altitude safety issues of unmanned aerial vehicles, the system comprising: The system comprises: Interference integrated base station (module 201-module 203), drone (module 204) Module 201, a base station communication module, establishes an air interface communication link for data interaction when the drone is a networked drone; The network air interface communication link uses the authorized frequency band and is not within the interference frequency band; Module 202, a base station control module, adjusts the interference signal mode of module 203 based on the obtained restricted area parameters and the communication interaction information between module 201 and module 204; The parameters to be adjusted include interference signal power, interference signal direction, etc. The purpose is to match the interference signal with the target restricted area without generating too much external interference. Each base station may also control multiple interference signal modules distributed in different locations (connected to the base station control module through wired or wireless communication); Module 203, the jamming signal module, generates jamming signals to the data link of the drone, including covering the restricted target area with jamming signals of a specific frequency band (excluding the authorized frequency band for network communication) by adjusting the antenna pointing and electronic beamforming, so that the drone's point-to-point communication / GPS navigation and other functions cannot operate; The interference mode can be a long-term static setting, or it can be dynamically adjusted according to actual needs, including start / stop / power adjustment / signal direction adjustment, etc. The antenna panel of the traditional mobile communication network points to the ground and tilts to optimize ground coverage. As the main activity area of ​​the drone is in the air, in order to reduce interference with the ground network, the antenna panel of the base station of the present invention can point to the sky to optimize air coverage; Module 204, the UAV module, when the UAV is equipped with a network communication terminal (networked UAV), when other data links are interfered and cannot work, it maintains data connection through the air interface data link and operates according to network transmission instructions, otherwise it performs operations such as landing / returning according to a predetermined built-in program.

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