Laser Antenna Drone Communication System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone technology is limited by the need for a ground-based controller within a small, exclusive Wi-Fi coverage area, restricting the drone's operational range and usability beyond this area.
Innovation Solution
A wireless telecommunication network system that uses a laser communications system to enable communication with drones over a wide geographical area, employing a laser antenna to transmit instructions beyond the coverage of traditional radio frequency networks, allowing the drone to operate outside its traditional range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a ground-based controller uses Wi-Fi communication to control a drone, then the controller can directly communicate with the drone within its coverage area, but the drone's operational range is limited to this small coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laser communication system as an intermediary between the ground-based controller and the drone. The controller communicates with a laser ground station via Wi-Fi, which then transmits commands to the drone using laser communication. This intermediary laser ground station extends the operational range beyond the controller's direct Wi-Fi coverage area while maintaining communication capability.
2Reliability
If traditional radio frequency networks are used for drone communication, then communication can be established within the network coverage area, but the communication range is restricted and may cause interference with existing networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radio frequency communication with laser communication for the extended range link. The laser ground station uses laser beams to communicate with the drone, providing reliable communication over much larger areas without interfering with existing RF networks, as laser operates on a different physical medium and frequency spectrum.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drone operates outside the controller's coverage area, then the drone can access wider geographical regions, but direct communication between the controller and drone becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The laser ground station serves as a communication intermediary that bridges the gap between the controller and the drone when the drone is outside direct coverage. The controller sends commands to the laser ground station via Wi-Fi, which then relays them to the drone via laser communication, and vice versa for telemetry and video data, maintaining continuous communication links over extended geographical areas.
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 drones to operate and communicate over a significantly larger area, expanding their use cases for tasks like emergency supply delivery, communication infrastructure, and reconnaissance, while avoiding interference with existing radio frequency networks.
Implementation Method 1
The system includes a laser communications system that converts the first instruction to a second instruction, and delivers the second instruction to the drone using a laser antenna
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system receives, from a controller associated with an unmanned vehicle, a first instruction to deliver to the unmanned vehicle. The first instruction is delivered to a network through a radio frequency channel associated with the network. The controller provides a coverage area in which the controller can directly communicate with the unmanned vehicle, however, the unmanned vehicle is outside of the coverage area associated with the controller. The system converts the first instruction received through the radio frequency channel to a second instruction encoded in a second medium. The system delivers the second instruction to the unmanned vehicle using a first antenna operating in the second medium. The unmanned vehicle includes a receiver configured to operate in the second medium. The first antenna is oriented to provide coverage in a geographical area in which the network does not provide radio frequency coverage.