RF Sensing Beams for UAV Tracking and Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing the increased bandwidth and use cases of 5G and beyond, particularly in extending the range and capacity of UAVs for delivery services without the need for frequent battery charging.
Innovation Solution
Implementing joint RF sensing and energy harvesting techniques, where base stations transmit high-power RF sensing signals that can be reused for energy harvesting by UAVs, allowing them to operate for longer periods and deliver heavier packages over extended distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-power RF sensing signals are transmitted to track and detect targets, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RF sensing operations with energy harvesting operations into a unified system. The base station transmits RF sensing signals that serve dual purposes: detecting target objects and providing harvestable energy to UAVs. This merging eliminates the need for separate high-power communication signals, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF sensing signals are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: target detection, target tracking, and energy provision for UAVs. By making the sensing signals universal, the system avoids the energy overhead of dedicated communication channels while ensuring UAVs receive sufficient power for extended operation.
2Productivity
If UAVs operate for longer periods without battery charging, then productivity is improved, but use of energy by stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAVs harvest energy autonomously from the RF sensing signals transmitted by the base station during normal sensing operations. This self-service mechanism allows UAVs to recharge continuously without returning to base stations for battery replacement, enabling extended flight durations and increased delivery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station continuously transmits RF sensing signals that simultaneously charge the UAVs throughout their operational period. This continuous energy provision ensures UAVs maintain adequate power levels throughout extended missions, eliminating idle time associated with battery recharging and maximizing productivity.
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
This approach enhances the efficiency of energy harvesting and RF sensing operations, enabling UAVs to maintain power and extend delivery capabilities by leveraging high-power sensing signals for both tracking and energy provision.
Implementation Method 1
transmit high-power RF sensing signals that can be reused for energy harvesting by UAVs
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, processes, and computer-readable media for wireless communications. For example, a network entity for wireless communications can transmit wide sensing signal beams in different directions to detect a target. The network entity can detect the target with one or more of the wide sensing signal beams. The network entity can transmit a narrow sensing signal beam in a direction towards the target to track the target, after the target has been detected. The network entity can further increase a power of the narrow sensing signal beam to provide energy to the target.