Drone Optical Position Signaling Against Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems for drones and other moving objects are vulnerable to electronic interference such as jamming and electronic warfare, which can compromise the accuracy of position control and lead to collisions or hacking incidents.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that uses optical signals, where a first mover (e.g., a drone) receives position coordinate signals from a satellite and displays these as patterns, which are then photographed and deciphered by a second mover to control its position, thereby avoiding interference from jamming and electronic warfare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If radio-signal communication is used for position control of drones, then communication speed is enhanced, but the system becomes vulnerable to jamming and electronic warfare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the radio-signal communication system (electromagnetic field-based) with an optical communication system using light signals. The transmitter emits light patterns that encode position information, and the receiver captures these patterns using an image sensor. This substitution of the physical carrier (from radio waves to light) fundamentally changes the communication medium to one that is not susceptible to radio-frequency jamming, thereby resolving the contradiction between communication speed and resistance against electronic warfare.
2Reliability
If optical signals are used for communication, then resistance against jamming is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components like image pickup units and display units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into existing drone components. The display unit on the transmitter serves both as a visual indicator and as the optical signal source for communication. The image pickup unit on the receiver serves both as a navigation camera and as the optical signal receiver. By making these components multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated communication hardware, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of optical communication.
3Productivity
If a swarm of drones is deployed, then productivity is enhanced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring accurate positions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary medium for position information exchange between drones in a swarm. Each drone transmits its position data encoded in light patterns that can be captured by neighboring drones' image pickup units. This intermediary optical communication layer enables accurate real-time position detection across the swarm without relying on centralized radio communication, thereby supporting large-scale swarm operations while maintaining position detection accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable transmission of position coordinates between drones, enhancing their ability to avoid collisions and maintain secure communication, even in environments susceptible to jamming and electronic interference.
Implementation Method 1
a signal-receiving unit (110) for receiving signals indicative of a position coordinate, and able to make communication with a satellite (310), and receive from the satellite (310) a signal (311) indicative of a position coordinate
Implementation Method 2
the display unit (130) displays the patterns having been made by the control unit (120) of the first mover (100)
Implementation Method 3
the image pickup unit (210) photographs the patterns having been displayed by the display unit (130)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
First (100) and second movers can make communication with each other by means of a communication system in which a signal-receiving unit (110) of the first mover (100) receives from a satellite (310) a signal (311) indicative of a position coordinate of itself, a control unit (120) of the first mover (100) makes a pattern indicative of a position coordinate of the first mover (100), a display unit (130) of the first mover (100) displays the pattern, an image pickup unit of the second mover photographs the pattern, and a control unit of the second mover deciphers the thus photographed pattern to thereby control a position of the second mover in accordance with the thus deciphered pattern.