Host-Parasite Drone Deployment Mechanism for Relay Reconnaissance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges with line of sight communication issues and limited flight time due to terrain obstructions and battery limitations, which hinder effective reconnaissance operations.
Innovation Solution
A host aircraft system is used to carry and deploy parasite aerial vehicles, maintaining line of sight with a ground control station, and the host aircraft relays control and data links, while the parasite UAVs detach to fly closer to the region of interest, using a series-hybrid power source for extended flight times and a retention mechanism with proximity tagging for controlled deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UAV uses point-to-point radio communication, then communication quality is improved, but communication range is reduced due to line of sight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The host aircraft serves as an intermediary communication relay between the parasite UAV and the ground control station. The host aircraft's radio communicates with the parasite UAV using point-to-point communication for high quality, while the host aircraft relays this communication to the ground control station, extending the effective communication range beyond what the parasite UAV could achieve alone.
2Ease of operation
If a UAV uses battery power, then operational simplicity is improved, but flight time is limited due to battery energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The parasite UAV merges with the host aircraft system, where the host aircraft provides additional power resources and support functions. The parasite UAV can draw power from or communicate power status to the host aircraft, effectively extending the operational duration beyond the parasite UAV's standalone battery limitations while maintaining the simplicity of battery-powered operation.
3Extent of automation
If a UAV flies independently to a region of interest, then operational autonomy is improved, but detection risk increases due to noise from propulsion systems
Solution Approach 1:
The host aircraft acts as a mediator that carries the parasite UAV to the region of interest. The host aircraft's larger propulsion system provides the noisy approach, while the smaller, quieter parasite UAV performs the final positioning and reconnaissance operations close to the target, reducing detection risk while maintaining operational autonomy through coordinated control.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple parasite UAVs are deployed simultaneously, then reconnaissance coverage is improved, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing communication links and coordination protocols before simultaneous deployment. The host aircraft pre-coordinates the deployment sequence, communication channels, and spatial separation for multiple parasite UAVs, enabling them to operate simultaneously in different zones or with staggered deployment timing, thus maintaining reconnaissance coverage while preventing collisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier aerial vehicle system includes a propulsion component configured to enable the carrier aerial vehicle system to be in flight. The carrier aerial vehicle system further includes a retention mechanism configured to allow a plurality of deployable parasite aerial vehicles to be coupled to the retention mechanism and released from the retention mechanism while the carrier aerial vehicle system is in flight. The carrier aerial vehicle system further includes a communication component configured to enable the carrier aerial vehicle system to wireless communicate with the plurality of parasite deployable aerial vehicles. The carrier aerial vehicle system further includes a processor configured to determine a position on the retention mechanism for each deployable parasite aerial vehicle of the plurality of deployable parasite aerial vehicles.