Airborne Optical Mesh Array for 3D Mapping and Self-Organization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for airborne robotic autonomous systems lack effective real-time expert system convergence for combined optical/RF communication, particularly in creating accurate 3D maps and enabling self-organization and full situation awareness among platform community elements.
Innovation Solution
An airborne mesh network forming phase array antenna system that uses a Through-the-Air Link Optical Component (TALOC) for bi-directional optical communication, enabling multi-GHz data exchange, accurate distance and angle measurement, and self-organization of platforms into a mobile phase array antenna, with distributed processors fusing measurements into a highly accurate 3D map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If distributed processors fuse measurements from multiple platforms, then measurement precision and 3D mapping accuracy are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the complex task of 3D mapping into individual measurement functions performed by separate TALOC units on each platform. Each unit independently measures distance and angles to other platforms, then distributed processors fuse these segmented measurements to create the complete 3D map, resolving the contradiction by distributing complexity across multiple simple units rather than one complex central system
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges measurements from multiple independent platforms to achieve high-precision 3D mapping. By combining data from multiple TALOC units that each perform simple distance and angle measurements, the system achieves superior measurement precision that would be difficult for a single complex system to attain
2Adaptability or versatility
If platforms self-organize into a mobile phase array antenna, then adaptability and situational awareness are improved, but ease of operation and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The platform community automatically self-organizes into a mobile phase array antenna configuration through distributed processing of optical measurements. Each platform independently contributes its position and orientation data, and the system automatically forms the coherent array structure without external control intervention, achieving self-service organization that improves adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The phase array antenna configuration is dynamically formed and reconfigured as platforms move and reposition themselves in three-dimensional space. The system continuously updates the array geometry based on current platform positions, enabling adaptive reconfiguration that maintains optimal performance while simplifying operation through automatic adjustment
3Productivity
If bi-directional optical communication is implemented between platforms, then data exchange speed and communication bandwidth are improved, but reliability and susceptibility to atmospheric conditions worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The TALOC unit performs multiple functions including distance measurement, angle measurement, and bi-directional optical communication using the same optical link. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high-speed data exchange while using the same infrastructure for multiple purposes, though reliability remains subject to atmospheric conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses measured distance and angle data from the TALOC units to continuously update and correct optical communication beam pointing. This feedback mechanism compensates for platform movement and positioning errors, improving communication reliability by maintaining accurate beam alignment despite the high-speed optical link's sensitivity to atmospheric conditions
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 actionable information and guidance by providing accurate 3D mapping and self-organization of airborne platforms, supporting multi-GHz data exchange and full function links among platforms, and conveying necessary information for RF link designation within an information sharing space.
Implementation Method 1
optically communicating bi-directionally between the first platform and the second platform
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for communicating between platforms, comprising the steps of initializing a first platform and a second platform; optically tracking a movement of the second platform by the first platform; and optically communicating bi-directionally between the first platform and the second platform. Disclosed herein is an optical communication device comprising various elements including but not limited to: a processor configured to provide at least a tracking mode and a communications mode; an input-output interface coupled to the processor; an electro-optic controller coupled to the input-output interface; an acquisition-tracking portion coupled to the electro-optic controller; and a communication portion coupled to the electro-optic controller. Disclosed herein is a method for communicating between platforms, comprising forming a phase array antenna, wherein the phase array antenna comprises a plurality of platforms arranged in a platform community; and synchronizing a time measurement at each of the platforms, wherein each platform comprises an optical communication device.