UAV Beam Steering for Broadband Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current broadband access systems, particularly satellite-based systems, face high costs and inefficiencies in providing service to remote and underdeveloped regions due to costly satellite hardware and launch risks, as well as the lack of justification for deploying terrestrial systems in lightly populated areas with low subscriber density.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to relay Internet traffic, which includes associating ground terminals with cells, receiving data from a gateway apparatus, and transmitting beams to these cells using antenna sub-systems with multiple polarizations and transceivers, synchronized via GPS or a master UAV transceiver, to optimize coverage and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If satellite-based broadband systems are deployed to provide service in remote areas, then coverage area is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, long-lived satellites with cheaper, shorter-lived UAVs (drones) that can be deployed and retired more economically. The UAVs serve as temporary aerial base stations, providing broadband coverage in remote areas without the need for costly satellite infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces UAVs as intermediary platforms between ground-based terrestrial systems and satellite systems. These UAVs act as mobile base stations that relay Internet traffic from gateways to ground terminals, bridging the gap between fixed infrastructure and remote coverage needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If terrestrial broadband systems are deployed in lightly populated areas, then service coverage is improved, but deployment cost increases due to low subscriber density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic UAV platforms that can be relocated to different areas based on demand. Instead of building fixed terrestrial infrastructure in low-density areas, mobile UAV base stations provide flexible, on-demand coverage that can be moved to serve different communities as subscriber density changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The UAV platforms serve multiple functions: they act as mobile base stations, provide aerial coverage, and can be deployed in various geographic conditions. This multi-functionality allows a single platform type to address diverse broadband deployment challenges without requiring specialized fixed infrastructure for each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If beam forming and pointing are optimized in UAV networks, then data throughput is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the master UAV transceiver provides clock timing references to other UAVs, and where beam pointing and forming are optimized based on real-time channel conditions and UAV positions. This feedback enables dynamic adaptation that improves throughput while managing complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The UAV network performs self-synchronization and self-configuration through automated protocols. The master UAV automatically provides timing references, and the system autonomously manages beam forming and frequency allocation without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving throughput while keeping operational complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If frequency reuse is implemented in adjacent cells, then spectral efficiency is improved, but interference between cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different frequencies to adjacent cells in the UAV network, similar to cellular networks. Each UAV or cell group operates on specific frequency assignments that are optimized for local conditions, allowing frequency reuse across different geographic areas while minimizing local interference through careful frequency planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9866312B2Beam forming and pointing in a network of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for broadband access

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 ENDURA IP HLDG LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods configured to form and point beams from one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward a target coverage area on the ground. One embodiment describes dividing the target coverage area on the ground among multiple UAVs when each UAV antenna system generates static beams. Another embodiment describes dividing the target coverage area on the ground among multiple UAVs when their antenna systems are capable of dynamically steering their respective beams. Another set of embodiments describe systems and method to allow multiple UAVs to provide service in the same area on the ground using the same spectrum.