Communications using unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned micro-aerial vehicles
First Claim
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1. A communications system, comprising:
- an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of movement on an earth surface, said USV having data collection means for collecting data about an environment in which said USV resides;
at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, said MAV mounted on said USV and having radio frequency (RF) communication means mounted thereon; and
launching means mounted on said USV for launching said MAV into the air, wherein said MAV so-launched into the air transmits said data using said RF communication means.
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Abstract
A communications system and method utilizes an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of collecting data about an environment in which the USV resides. At least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV), equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, is mounted on the USV. Each MAV has onboard radio frequency (RF) communications. Each MAV launched into the air transmits the data collected by the USV using the MAV'"'"'s RF communications.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A communications system, comprising:
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an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of movement on an earth surface, said USV having data collection means for collecting data about an environment in which said USV resides; at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, said MAV mounted on said USV and having radio frequency (RF) communication means mounted thereon; and launching means mounted on said USV for launching said MAV into the air, wherein said MAV so-launched into the air transmits said data using said RF communication means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of communication between an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and a location that is remote with respect to USV, comprising the steps of:
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using said USV as a node for the collection of data; providing at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) on said USV, said MAV being equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, said MAV having radio frequency (RF) communication means mounted thereon; launching said MAV into the air from said USV; and transmitting said data using said RF communication means on said MAV so-launched into the air. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification