Coordinated Drone Shielding and Camouflage for Rapid Satcom Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite dish deployment methods are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring large vehicles for transport or time-consuming inflation and manual alignment of inflatable dishes.

Innovation Solution

A system of drones coordinated by a computer to dynamically position and transmit signals, creating a dynamic camouflage, decoy, or shield by blending with the environment, simulating environmental emissions or reflections, or forming a protective array.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large vehicle is used to transport a satellite dish, then the dish can be transported, but the vehicle is not always available and the method is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite dish deploymentVSAvoidtransport system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The satellite dish system is divided into multiple drone units, each carrying a segment of the dish structure. These segmented drones work together to form the complete satellite dish, eliminating the need for large transport vehicles while maintaining the functional integrity of the dish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional mechanical transport system (large vehicles) is replaced with an aerial drone system that uses flight capabilities for transportation and positioning. This substitution enables more flexible and accessible deployment without requiring ground-based heavy equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If an inflatable satellite dish is used, then the dish can be transported easily, but inflating and pointing the dish is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidinflation and alignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The satellite dish system transitions from a static inflatable structure to a dynamic drone-based system. The drones can rapidly adjust their positions and orientations in three-dimensional space, enabling quick deployment and real-time pointing adjustments without the time-consuming inflation and manual alignment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drone system performs self-alignment and self-positioning using onboard sensors, computers, and communication systems. Each drone autonomously determines its position relative to the focal point and adjusts its orientation accordingly, eliminating the need for manual pointing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If manual pointing of an inflatable dish is used, then the dish can be aligned, but the process is awkward and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedish alignment precisionVSAvoidalignment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drone system incorporates feedback mechanisms through onboard sensors, computers, and communication systems that continuously monitor the position and orientation of each drone. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to maintain precise alignment with the focal point, achieving high alignment precision through automated control rather than manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical alignment operations are replaced with automated computer-controlled positioning systems. The drones use electronic control, sensor data, and communication protocols to achieve precise alignment, eliminating the awkward and time-consuming manual pointing process while maintaining or improving alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables rapid, efficient, and automated deployment of satellite communication systems, while also providing advanced camouflage, decoy, and shielding capabilities to protect targets from detection or threats.

Implementation Method 1

one or more sources of one or more signals; a computer coupled to the drones, the computer configurable for coordinating at least one of: positioning of the drones; or a transmission of the signals from each of the drones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the emissions comprise at least one of: target emissions generated by the target, or environmental emissions generated by the environment surrounding the target 1056

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnvironmental emissions absorption and matching: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the reflections comprise at least one of: target reflections reflected from the target, or environmental reflections reflected from the environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250044802A1Drone coordinated shielding, camouflaging, and decoying

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Methods, Systems, and Apparatus for coordinating drones to communicate with reduced signal to noise, harvest energy, provide camouflage, provide decoying, or provide protective shielding.