Antenna Analysis and Selection for UAV Emissions Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications systems for moving platforms, such as UAVs, face challenges in maintaining optimal antenna orientation and adhering to emissions control criteria, leading to potential signal loss and increased vulnerability due to unfavourable antenna directions and structural obstructions during aircraft manoeuvres.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent communications management system with an antenna analysis and selection module that receives emissions control and platform data to determine suitable antennas, calculate quality metrics, and select the best antenna for maintaining communications while adhering to emissions control constraints, dynamically adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single on-board antenna is used for wireless communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of communication deteriorates due to signal loss from unfavourable antenna orientation during aircraft manoeuvres
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antennas into a unified communication system with intelligent selection capability. The antenna analysis and selection module integrates several physical antennas (including aperture antennas with multiple portions) into a single functional system that automatically selects the most suitable antenna based on real-time conditions, thereby maintaining communication reliability while managing system complexity through unified control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic antenna selection that adapts to changing flight conditions. The system continuously monitors aircraft orientation, position, and emissions control requirements, then dynamically selects the optimal antenna from available options. This dynamic adaptation ensures communication reliability during manoeuvres when a static single-antenna system would fail.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the aircraft operates with traditional emissions control silence, then emissions control criteria are met, but the loss of information increases due to inability to maintain communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the antenna analysis and selection module continuously receives emissions control criteria and attribute data, then adjusts antenna selection and configuration accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain communications by selecting antennas that satisfy emissions control requirements while minimizing information loss, rather than simply silencing all transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the communication system by selecting different antennas based on emissions control requirements. Instead of maintaining fixed silence, the system dynamically adjusts which antenna is active and modifies transmission parameters to comply with emissions control while preserving communication capability, thereby reducing information loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are deployed on the moving platform, then the adaptability of the communications system improves, but the device complexity increases due to need for antenna analysis and selection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the antenna system universal by designing a multi-functional antenna analysis and selection module that handles diverse antenna types (including aperture antennas with multiple portions) and various operational conditions. This single intelligent module performs multiple functions: evaluating antenna suitability, calculating quality metrics, selecting optimal antennas, and adapting to different emissions control scenarios, thereby providing high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If antenna orientation is fixed relative to the aircraft structure, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to signal loss from unfavourable directions during manoeuvres
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service antenna system where multiple antennas are fixed at different locations on the aircraft structure, and the intelligent selection module automatically determines which antenna is most suitable for current flight conditions. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting the optimal antenna without requiring manual intervention or mechanical repositioning, thereby maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and communication reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for management of communications resources of a moving platform comprising an on-board communications system configured to effect wireless data communication between said moving platform and another node, said communications resources comprising a plurality of wireless communications links and a plurality of antennas associated therewith, the apparatus comprising an antenna analysis and selection module residing with said communications system and configured to: - receive, during a mission from one or more systems/subsystems and/or functions of said moving platform, attribute data representative of said emissions control criteria, said attribute data comprising (i) location data representative of a specified emissions control region, and/or (ii) position and/or attitude and/or velocity data representative of an adversary node defining an emissions control region; - determine, using said attribute data and based on said emissions control criteria, suitability of one or more on-board antennas and/or portions of aperture antenna for supporting said communications requirement; - for each of a plurality of antennas/portions of aperture antenna determined to be suitable for supporting said communications requirement based on said emissions control criteria, determine a quality metric, said quality metric being indicative of a respective performance criterion; and - select one or more of said suitable antennas/portion of aperture antenna having a highest performance criterion, for facilitating said communications requirement.