HALE UAV GPS Rebroadcasting for Anti-Jamming Space Surveillance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Terrestrially-based space systems face limitations and vulnerabilities due to atmospheric attenuation and geographical constraints, which affect the performance of GPS signals and space surveillance systems, and there is a need for enhanced space situational awareness and communication reliability.

Innovation Solution

Deploying high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft in the stratosphere to augment GPS signals and interdict satellite communications, using a group of aircraft equipped with GPS antennas, receivers, and repeaters to rebroadcast GPS signals and employ directable electromagnetic radiation emitters for satellite sensor interdiction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If GPS signals are received from satellites at high altitude, then signal strength is improved, but signal frequency power jamming by third parties becomes more vulnerable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGPS signal strengthVSAvoidsignal frequency power jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs HALE unmanned aircraft as intermediary platforms to receive GPS signals from satellites and rebroadcast them locally. This intermediary approach allows terrestrial receivers to obtain GPS signals through the aircraft rather than directly from satellites, thereby avoiding third-party jamming while maintaining signal strength through the aircraft's high-altitude position where jamming is less effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions GPS signal reception from the traditional satellite-to-ground direct path to a three-dimensional architecture involving high-altitude aircraft platforms. By elevating the signal reception and rebroadcasting function to the stratospheric layer, the system creates a new spatial dimension for GPS signal distribution that bypasses terrestrial jamming sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If space surveillance systems are based on Earth surface, then atmospheric attenuation limits performance, but geographical and national boundary constraints further limit operational flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace surveillance performanceVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deploys HALE unmanned aircraft in the stratospheric layer (55,000-70,000 feet) to conduct space surveillance operations. This high-altitude positioning places the surveillance systems above the majority of atmospheric attenuation while maintaining accessibility for launch and recovery within national boundaries, thus simultaneously improving measurement precision and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The HALE aircraft platform serves multiple functions: it acts as both a surveillance platform for observing orbital objects and a communication relay for GPS signal augmentation. This multi-functionality allows a single platform to address both surveillance performance and operational flexibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If HALE aircraft are deployed in stratospheric layer for GPS signal augmentation, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses HALE aircraft to receive GPS signals from satellites and create rebroadcast copies of these signals for distribution to terrestrial receivers. This copying approach simplifies the overall system architecture by using familiar aircraft platforms equipped with standard GPS receivers and transmitters, rather than deploying complex new satellite-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 HALE aircraft provide persistent, high-altitude communication relay and surveillance capabilities, overcoming atmospheric limitations and geographical constraints, enhancing space situational awareness and communication reliability by rebroadcasting GPS signals and interdicting satellite communications.

Implementation Method 1

receiving, by at least four of the four more HALE unmanned aircraft, a GPS signal from a respective GPS satellite; and forming, by each of the at least four HALE unmanned aircraft respectively, a repeatable received GPS signal for transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS signal reception and rebroadcasting:

Implementation Method 2

employ directable electromagnetic radiation emitters for satellite sensor interdiction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation emission:

Data Source

PatentUS20220194582A1High Altitude, Long Endurance, Unmanned Aircraft and Methods of Operation Thereof

Publication Date: 2022.06.23 AEROVIRONMENT INC

AI summary

Embodiments include one or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft capable of persistent station-keeping having one or more electromagnetic (IR/Visual/RF) sensor elements or suites for purposes of survey and/or signal gathering. Embodiments include one or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft capable of persistent station-keeping having a directable laser. Embodiments include a group of four or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft configured as GPS repeaters.