UAV Flight Control via Ground Relay Handover Without Satellites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in flight control when satellite communication is not available, as information transmission from the ground control station to the UAV is hindered, making it difficult to maintain control.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize ground internetworking devices in control areas allowing line-of-sight (LOS) communication with UAVs, enabling commercial network communication between ground control stations and internetworking devices, which convert and transmit control information to UAVs, ensuring continuous communication even during hand-over areas between control zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite communication is used for UAV flight control, then communication reliability is improved, but it becomes inapplicable in environments where satellite communication is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground internetworking devices as intermediary components between the ground control station and the UAV. These devices establish a multi-hop communication path through wireless internet connections, allowing control information to reach the UAV without requiring satellite communication. The ground internetworking devices act as mediators that bridge the communication gap in environments where satellite communication is unavailable.
2Reliability
If ground internetworking devices are deployed in control areas, then communication availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground internetworking devices are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide wireless internet access to UAVs, relay control information between the ground control station and UAV, and enable communication in areas without satellite coverage. By making these devices multi-functional, the system achieves improved communication availability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple ground internetworking devices are used for hand-over between control areas, then continuous communication is improved, but device quantity and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements hand-over protocols where the ground control station proactively establishes communication connections with multiple ground internetworking devices before the UAV actually needs to switch between control areas. This preliminary action ensures seamless transitions and continuous communication without requiring the UAV to actively search for new communication partners during critical hand-over moments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling flight includes an aerial vehicle, which flies in at least one control area, a plurality of ground internetworking devices provided in the at least one control area to perform communication with the aerial vehicle, and a ground control station to perform communication with at least one of the ground internetworking devices depending on a position of the aerial vehicle.