Wirelessly controlling unmanned aircraft and accessing associated surveillance data

• US 20070284474A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insitu Incorporated (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: Insitu Incorporated (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Olson, Steven J., Wheeler, Matt
• Granted Patent: US 7,581,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Abstract

Controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be accomplished by using a wireless device (e.g., cell phone) to send a control message to a receiver at the UAV via a wireless telecommunication network (e.g., an existing cellular network configured primarily for mobile telephone communication). In addition, the wireless device may be used to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV, wherein the wireless device receives the communications from the transmitter via the wireless network. Examples of such communications include surveillance information and UAV monitoring information.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

using a wireless device to send a control message to a receiver at the UAV, wherein the wireless device communicates with the receiver via a wireless network configured primarily for mobile telephone communication; and

using the wireless device to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV, wherein the wireless device receives the communications from the transmitter via the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the control message includes sending a message including instructions to control surveillance activities of the UAV.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the control message includes sending a message including instructions to control the velocity and direction of the UAV.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the control message includes sending a message including instructions to control the activity of weapons systems on the UAV.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the control message includes sending a message including instructions to control takeoff and/or landing of the UAV.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing an ongoing connection between the wireless device and the receiver.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein using the wireless device to receive communications from a transmitter includes receiving compressed digital video transmissions.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein using the wireless device to receive communications from a transmitter includes receiving full size and full frame rate digital video transmissions.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein using the wireless device to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV includes using the wireless device to receive surveillance information collected by the UAV.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein using the wireless device to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV includes using the wireless device to receive health and/or status information associated with the UAV.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein using the wireless device to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV includes using the wireless device to receive surveillance information collected by the UAV, wherein the collected information includes information associated with a second UAV and is collected for the purpose of avoiding airspace conflicts, conducting joint surveillance of a geographical area, and/or conducting joint tracking of a subject.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending and receiving are performed from an aircraft other than the UAV.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending and receiving are performed from a ground station.

14. A system for controlling unmanned aircraft comprising:

at least one ground control device having a transmitter configured for operation in a wireless communication network used primarily for mobile telephone communication; and

an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a mobile device having a receiver configured for operation in the wireless communication network, wherein the UAV is responsive to communications from the at least one ground control device, including communications received via the receiver.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the UAV includes a bridging control system including a controller configured to relay control signals to one or more UAVs that are outside the range of the wireless communication network.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one ground control device includes multiple ground control devices, and wherein the transmitters associated with the multiple ground control devices are configured to send out, in parallel, multiple call signals usable to communicate with the UAV.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one ground control device includes a mobile telephone.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one ground control device includes a cellular telephone.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one ground control device includes a cellular enabled personal digital assistant (PDA).

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the ground control device includes a personal computer configured for wireless communications.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein the mobile device at the UAV includes a mobile telephone.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein the mobile device at the UAV includes a cellular telephone.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein the mobile device at the UAV includes a cellular enabled personal digital assistant (PDA).

24. The system of claim 14 wherein the mobile device at the UAV includes a personal computer configured for wireless communications.

25. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one ground control device is linked directly to the wireless communication network and wherein the mobile device at the UAV is linked to the wireless communication network indirectly via an RF-to-network bridge.

26. The system of claim 14 wherein the wireless communication network includes a cellular telephone network.

27. A system on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:

a mobile communication device configured for communication via a network that is used primarily as a consumer voice and data communication network, the mobile communication device including;

a mobile device application configured for communication with at least one device at a ground control center;

a receiver configured to receive signals from the ground control center;

a transmitter configured to send signals from the mobile communication device; and

an antenna; and

a control application responsive to signals received at the mobile communication device.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes a general packet radio service (GPRS) network.

30. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes a code division multiple access (CDMA) network.

31. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes an evolution-data optimized (EV-DO) network.

32. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) network.

33. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes a third generation global system for mobile communications (3GSM) network.

34. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes a digital IS-136/time division multiple access (IS-136/TDMA) network.

35. The system of claim 27 wherein the mobile communication device is configured for communication with a network that includes an integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN).

36. The system of claim 27, further comprising a data collection system configured for producing output signals for transmission to the ground control center, wherein the transmission of the output signals occurs via the mobile communication device over the network.

37. A system on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:

at least one telecommunication device including a transceiver configured for communication via a wireless telecommunication network;

a control system including at least one software application for controlling at least one of surveillance actions and maneuvering actions of the UAV based on control actions communicated through the at least one telecommunication device; and

a connection that links the at least one telecommunication device to the control system.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the at least one telecommunication device is linked to a computer having an interface to receive input for controlling the UAV.

39. The system of claim 37 wherein the at least one telecommunication device is associated with a cellular telephone.

40. The system of claim 37 wherein the at least one telecommunication device is linked to a computer having an interface to receive input for controlling the UAV, and wherein the computer is outside the wireless telecommunication network.

41. The system of claim 37 wherein the at least one telecommunication device and the control system function together as a base station to dynamically extend the coverage area of the wireless telecommunication network.

45. The method of claim 38 wherein the designated channel is associated with a frequency between 824 and 849 MHz.

42. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

communicating with a mobile telephone switching center via a control channel associated with a wireless telecommunication network to establish a wireless communication link, including;

receiving a channel assignment that permits access to a designated channel of the wireless telecommunication network; and

sending control signals to the UAV via the designated channel, wherein the control signals are used to control the actions of the UAV.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising receiving data signals from the UAV via the designated channel.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the wireless telecommunication network is associated with control channels, voice channels, and data channels, and wherein the designated channel is a data or voice channel.

46. At an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) a method for receiving control instructions from a remote source, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of a channel assignment from a mobile switching center, wherein the indication is received via a control channel associated with a wireless communication network, and wherein the channel assignment permits access to at least one designated channel of the wireless communication network; and

receiving control signals from the remote source via the at least one designated channel, wherein the control signals are used to control the actions of the UAV.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising sending data signals from the remote source via the at least one designated channel.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the at least one designated channel is associated with a frequency between 824 and 849 MHz.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising generating additional control signals for receipt by one or more additional aircraft, wherein the additional aircraft are part of a joint operational group led by the UAV.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising generating additional control signals for receipt by at least one additional aircraft, wherein the additional aircraft is out of the range of the wireless communication network.

51. A method for remotely controlling an unmanned aircraft, the method comprising:

communicating with a control node in a wireless telecommunication network to establish a communication link with the unmanned aircraft, wherein the communication link includes a wireless communication channel that permits the unmanned aircraft to communicate with at least one node of the wireless telecommunication network; and

sending control signals to the aircraft, at least in part, via the established communication link, wherein the control signals are used to control the actions of the aircraft.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein communicating with the control node is performed via a non-wireless network connection.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein the communication link further includes a non-wireless aspect that permits access to the at least one node of the wireless telecommunication network.