Pop-Up HF Antenna Wire Pair for Powered UAS Endpoints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pop-up HF antennas are constrained by tethered power connections that limit endpoint mobility and reconfigurability, necessitating ground tethering of secondary UAS.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a pair of wires to simultaneously transmit DC power and RF signals between a primary UAS and secondary UAS, enabling untethered operation of secondary UAS by combining DC power and RF signals using bias tee circuits and differential-mode transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tethered power connections are used to provide DC power to secondary UAS, then reliable power supply is ensured, but endpoint mobility and antenna reconfigurability are constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidendpoint mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines DC power transmission and RF signal transmission into a single pair of wires. The bias tee circuits at the primary UAS combine the DC power signal and RF signal, which are then transmitted simultaneously over the same wire pair to the secondary UAS, eliminating the need for separate tethered power connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire pair serves multiple functions: it transmits both DC power and RF signals simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the secondary UAS to be powered wirelessly while maintaining communication links, thereby achieving both power supply reliability and endpoint mobility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If tethered secondary UAS are used with physical power connections, then power delivery is stable, but antenna agility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery stabilityVSAvoidantenna agility
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tethered power connection system with an electromagnetic field-based power transmission system. By using RF signals and rectennas (rectifying antennas) at the secondary UAS, the system converts electromagnetic energy back to DC power, eliminating mechanical tethers and enabling free movement of endpoint UAS

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If separate power and signal transmission lines are used, then power and RF signal transmission are independent and reliable, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission independenceVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges power transmission and signal transmission into a single wire pair infrastructure. The bias tee circuits enable independent transmission paths within the same medium, maintaining transmission independence while reducing the number of physical connections and overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances antenna agility and reconfigurability by allowing flexible positioning of secondary UAS endpoints, eliminating tether constraints and enabling untethered operation.

Implementation Method 1

The pair of wires is configured to provide simultaneous differential-mode DC transmission and common-mode RF transmission between the primary UAS and the secondary UAS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential-mode transmission:

Implementation Method 2

The pair of wires is configured to provide simultaneous differential-mode DC transmission and common-mode RF transmission between the primary UAS and the secondary UAS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCommon-mode transmission:

Implementation Method 3

At least one of antenna interface circuit located at the primary UAS is configured to connect the primary UAS to the pair of wires and combine the DC power signal and the RF signal received at the primary UAS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal combining:

Data Source

PatentUS20250273852A1System and methods for powering secondary unmanned aerial systems of a pop-up HF antenna system
Publication Date: 2025.08.28 RAYTHEON CO
  • US20250273852A1 patent drawing
  • US20250273852A1 patent drawing
  • US20250273852A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A pop-up HF antenna system includes a primary UAS associated with a feed point of the pop-up HF antenna. The primary UAS has a first input configured to receive an RF signal and a second input configured to receive a DC power signal. At least one secondary UAS are associated with an endpoint of the pop-up HF antenna. a pair of wires is configured to interconnect the primary UAS to the at least one secondary UAS and to provide the DC power signal and the RF signal from the primary UAS to the at least one secondary UAS. At least one antenna interface circuit located at the primary UAS and configured to connect the primary UAS to the pair of wires and to combine the DC power signal and the RF signal. The pair of wires is configured to provide simultaneous differential-mode DC transmission and common-mode RF transmission.