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Parafoil electronic control unit having wireless connectivity

  • US 8,818,581 B2
  • Filed: 04/08/2011
  • Issued: 08/26/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:

  • performing a), b), c) and d) below with an electronic control unit of a parafoil;

    a) after being dropped from an airborne vehicle, receiving through a wireless network interface circuitry a desired landing location for said parafoil, barometric pressure at said desired landing location, and a most current wind versus altitude profile, said most current wind versus altitude profile including a magnitude and direction of ground winds and winds at higher altitudes;

    b) determining a determined flight path for said parafoil that lands said parafoil at said desired landing location;

    c) controlling said parafoil to travel on a flight path consistent with said determined flight path; and

    ,d) wirelessly receiving one or more updates, each of said updates including an updated ground barometric pressure and an updated wind versus altitude profile, and repeating b) and c) based on each of said one or more updates;

    wherein said desired landing location and said one or more updates are wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network by electronic equipment, and, said desired landing location, said barometric pressure at said desired landing location, said most current wind versus altitude profile, and said one or more updates are wirelessly received at said electronic control unit from said wireless network over a wireless link established between said electronic equipment and said electronic control unit.

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