Unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with satellite antenna for long-distance operation

Abstract

Disclosed is an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation. The unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a satellite; and a body in which a flight control device for controlling connected flight wings is embedded and a signal processing device for processing signals transmitted and received through the antenna is embedded.

Description

Satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-range operations

[0001] The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna, and more particularly, to an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation.

[0002] Marine vessels, military equipment, and other devices utilize satellite communications to communicate over wide areas. In contrast, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as drones utilize RF communications, which have a relatively short effective range. While RF communication devices can be manufactured in ultra-small sizes and are easy to install on UAVs, their operating range is limited to a maximum of 20 km, limiting their practical use in marine fisheries management units.

[0003] Since RF communication may be cut off in the event of an actual war, it is necessary to secure satellite communication capabilities for use in special situations such as war. However, conventional satellite antennas are difficult to mount on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) due to their size and weight.

[0004] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2489885 Active induction system and method

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems, and provides an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0006] Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described below.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation is provided, which includes a main body having an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a satellite, a flight control device for controlling connected flight wings, and a signal processing device for processing signals transmitted and received through the antenna.

[0008] Here, the antenna is fixed, and further includes a control module that controls the flight control device so that the antenna is directed toward the target satellite.

[0009] Additionally, the main body has a reflector shape for receiving signals from the antenna.

[0010] Additionally, the control module controls the flight control device to move only within an available range determined according to the target flight.

[0011] Additionally, the control module controls the flight control device only when the reception strength of the satellite signal received from the target satellite is below a threshold value.

[0012] Additionally, at least one of the connected winglets is further equipped with a small auxiliary antenna, and the signal processing device uses the signal from the auxiliary antenna together with the signal when necessary, depending on the reception strength of the satellite signal by the antenna.

[0013] Additionally, if there are multiple auxiliary antennas, they are set to point in different directions.

[0014] Additionally, the auxiliary antenna is detachably attached.

[0015] In addition, the drone may further include a signal strength memory that records the strength of a signal received by the antenna and the auxiliary antenna and the roll, pitch, and azimuth of the drone.

[0016]

[0017] Other aspects, features and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims and detailed description of the invention.

[0018] According to the present invention, by using the drone body as a reflector and antenna body, the overall weight can be reduced, thereby providing an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation that can have a longer flight distance.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a satellite communication process of an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figures 4 to 6 are exemplary diagrams illustrating a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0024] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0025] Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, terms such as "first threshold" and "second threshold" described below may be predefined as thresholds that are substantially different or partially identical in value. However, since there is room for confusion when expressed using the same word "threshold," terms such as "first" and "second" will be used together for convenience of distinction.

[0026] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0027] In addition, it is to be understood that the components of the embodiments described with reference to each drawing are not limited to the specific embodiments, but may be implemented to be included in other embodiments within the scope in which the technical idea of ​​the present invention is maintained, and that multiple embodiments may be re-implemented as a single integrated embodiment even if a separate description is omitted.

[0028] In addition, when describing with reference to the attached drawings, identical components will be assigned identical or related reference numerals regardless of the drawing reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. When describing the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029]

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, the satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance use according to the present embodiment includes an antenna (10) and a main body (20), and the main body (20) is equipped with a flight control device (210), a signal processing device (220), and a control module (230).

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical drone as an example of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present embodiment, but the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present invention may be of various forms, such as a VTOL (Vertical takeoff and landing) (see FIG. 5).

[0033] And, the main body (20) has a reflector shape for receiving signals from the antenna (10). For example, the upper part of the main body (20) may have a concave reflector shape. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the satellite antenna-mounted unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance use according to the present embodiment uses the main body (20) as the drone body, and since the shape of the main body also has a reflector shape, there is no need to provide a separate reflector, so the overall weight can be drastically reduced, and the flight distance can be increased.

[0034] First, let's briefly explain the satellite antenna system. The satellite antenna system tracks satellites through signal confirmation and stabilization functions, and the antenna control unit transmits navigation and satellite inertial information installed onboard the ship to the satellite antenna. Users can use the modem to receive emergency and rescue requests and broadcasts, as well as for communication such as phone calls and the Internet.

[0035] A satellite antenna system includes an upper radome, a lower radome, an antenna, a pedestal control unit (PCU), an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a multi-RF unit (MRU), and a pedestal. The upper radome protects the equipment from the elements of the marine environment, and the lower radome protects the equipment from the elements of the marine environment and is fixed to the pedestal and the ship. The antenna, which is usually a parabolic dish, is a structure that collects or transmits satellite signals. The PCU (Pedestal Control Unit) is a device that searches and tracks the antenna, the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) determines inertial information, and the MRU (Multi-RF Unit) processes analog and digital satellite reception signals. The pedestal is a mechanical structure that supports the antenna and can move in any direction along its axis.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the overall weight can be reduced by combining the main body of the aircraft and the antenna body, and in particular, the overall weight can be reduced by eliminating heavy devices such as pedestals used in the antenna system.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the antenna (10) is manufactured to be ultra-small, and the main body (20) is manufactured using ultra-light materials, thereby reducing the overall weight and increasing the flight efficiency of the unmanned aerial vehicle. In other words, it can be manufactured as an ultra-light, ultra-small artificial satellite antenna, so that when mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (drones), the operating range of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be extended to more than 100 km, and communication can be maintained even in special situations such as war.

[0038] The flight control device (210) controls each flight wing (30) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a drone), for example, it controls the rotation direction and rotation speed of each flight wing (30). This will be obvious to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0039] The signal processing device (220) is a device that processes signals transmitted and received through the antenna (10), and may be configured to include the above-described MRU (Multi-RF Unit), etc. This will be obvious to those skilled in the art, so a more detailed description will be omitted.

[0040] The control module (230) performs overall control of the signal processing device (220) and the flight control device (210), and in particular, controls the flight control device (210) so that the antenna (10) points toward the target satellite. In one example, in order to reduce the overall weight, the antenna system according to the present embodiment may eliminate a device (pedestal, etc.) for rotating the antenna (10) in various directions (e.g., azimuth and elevation angles), and thus control the flight to point the antenna (10) toward the satellite.

[0041] The control module (230) controls the flight control device to move only within the available range determined according to the target flight. For example, during straight flight, if the antenna (10) is pointed in a direction different from the satellite direction, the flight is controlled so that the antenna (10) is pointed in the satellite direction at all times, but is controlled so that the flight can be carried out in a straight direction as much as possible.

[0042]

[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a satellite communication process of an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, the reception strength of a satellite communication signal is measured (S310), and it is determined whether the reception strength is below a threshold value (S320). This is to confirm whether the antenna (10) is stably receiving the satellite signal. Here, according to another example, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the satellite signal may be used instead of or in addition to the reception strength. The signal-to-noise ratio is defined as in the following <Mathematical Formula 1>.

[0045] <Mathematical Formula 1>

[0046] SNR = Ps / Pn

[0047] Here, Ps and Pn represent the signal power (signal strength) and noise power, respectively. This is to indicate the relative signal power by looking at the signal power compared to the noise power. This is because the performance of a communication system is determined by the signal power compared to the noise power, not the absolute signal power. The performance of a communication system includes factors such as channel capacity, which represents the maximum achievable capacity; error rate, which represents reliability; and delay rate, which represents how smoothly the transmission occurs.

[0048] If the judgment result in S320 is above the threshold value, the flight is maintained (S330).

[0049] In contrast, if it is below the threshold value, the flight is controlled within the available range so that the antenna is directed toward the target satellite (S340).

[0050] Here, the satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system according to the present invention may further include a signal intensity memory that associates and records the intensity of a signal received by the antenna and the auxiliary antenna with the roll, pitch, and azimuth of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0051] Roll, pitch, and azimuth are the three basic axes that represent the attitude of an aircraft. Roll is the left-right tilt angle of the aircraft with respect to the direction of travel, pitch is the up-down tilt angle of the aircraft with respect to the direction of travel, and azimuth is the angle of the direction of travel.

[0052] The roll, pitch, and azimuth of the above-mentioned unmanned aerial vehicle may change from moment to moment depending on the flight process. Recording the signal strength received by the antenna and the auxiliary antenna according to the roll, pitch, and azimuth may be done to identify the flight attitude with high satellite signal strength and low signal-to-noise ratio. For example, if the signal strength is strongest when the pitch is 3 degrees, the roll is -15 degrees (left banking, turning to the left), and the azimuth is 180 degrees (facing south), the aircraft can be made to continuously maintain that attitude while performing a turning flight to maintain a strong signal strength.

[0053] Strong signal strength between drones and satellite communications can facilitate data transmission and reception, making it easier to transmit large amounts of data such as photos and videos.

[0054]

[0055] According to this embodiment, by performing satellite tracking through flight control, components required for antenna direction control in a conventional satellite antenna system can be eliminated, thereby reducing the overall weight and providing a satellite antenna for an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0056]

[0057] FIGS. 4 to 6 are exemplary diagrams illustrating a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to an example, at least one of the connected winglets (30) may be further equipped with a small auxiliary antenna (400). The auxiliary antenna (400) may be equipped at the upper end of the rotation axis of the winglet (30). The signal processing device may utilize the signal from the auxiliary antenna (400) together, if necessary, depending on the reception strength of the satellite signal by the antenna. In addition, as shown in the drawing, when there are multiple auxiliary antennas (100), they may be installed to point in different directions.

[0059] In addition, the auxiliary antenna (400) can be attached in a detachable manner. Accordingly, the auxiliary antenna (400) can be attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle and used only in environments where the auxiliary antenna (400) is required (e.g., flight to an area with a poor communication environment, etc.).

[0060] In addition, the auxiliary antenna (400) can be connected in various ways, such as a hanging structure, a fitting structure, and a magnetic connection.

[0061] In addition, according to an example, the auxiliary antenna (400) is combined in a structure that can be controlled for remote separation, so that, for example, when necessary (e.g., when weight needs to be reduced due to battery shortage), the auxiliary antenna (400) can be disassembled from the drone by disengaging it as shown in FIG. 6 and then flipping it over to fly it upside down.

[0062] 10: Antenna 20: Body 30: Flight Wing

[0063]

[0064] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. Antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from satellites; and An unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation, comprising a main body having a built-in flight control device for controlling connected flight wings and a built-in signal processing device for processing signals transmitted and received through the antenna.

2. In claim 1, The above body is an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation, having a reflector shape for receiving signals from the antenna.

3. In claim 2, An unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-range operation, wherein the antenna is fixed and further includes a control module that controls the flight control device so that the antenna is directed toward a target satellite.

4. In claim 3, The above control module is an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation, which controls the flight control device to move only within an available range determined according to the target flight.

5. In claim 4, The above control module is an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation, which controls the flight control device only when the reception strength of the satellite signal received from the target satellite is below a threshold value.

6. In claim 5, At least one of the connected winglets is further equipped with a small auxiliary antenna, The above signal processing device is an unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation, which uses signals from the auxiliary antenna together with the signal reception strength of the satellite signal from the antenna when necessary.

7. In claim 6, An unmanned aerial vehicle system equipped with a satellite antenna for long-distance operation, wherein the auxiliary antennas are set to point in different directions when there are multiple auxiliary antennas.

8. In claim 7, The above auxiliary antenna is a satellite antenna-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle system for long-distance operation, which is detachably connected.

9. In claim 8, The above-mentioned satellite antenna system for an unmanned aerial vehicle for long-distance operation further includes a signal strength memory that records the strength of a signal received by the antenna and the auxiliary antenna and the roll, pitch, and azimuth of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

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