Methods and apparatus for a distributed airborne wireless communications fleet

• US 9,302,782 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2014
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunlight Aerospace Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sunlight Photonics Incorporated
• Inventors: Frolov, Sergey V., Cyrus, Michael, Bruce, Allan J., Moussouris, John Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US14/462,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20160046387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 701/120
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/00 Lighter-than-air aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 19/00 Aircraft control not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 31/00 Power plant control systems; Arrangement of power plant control systems in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 33/00 Arrangements in aircraft of power plant parts or auxiliaries not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 35/02 specially adapted for specific power plants
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/30 Lighter-than-air aircraft, e.g. aerostatic aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/23 for providing telephone services
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/102 adapted for flying in formations
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/35 by wireless transmission, e.g. by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/104 involving a plurality of aircrafts, e.g. formation flying traffic control systems for aircraft G08G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing distributed airborne wireless communications are provided herein. In some embodiments, a communication fleet includes: an airborne communication payload subdivided into multiple payload sections; and a plurality of airborne platforms each including a payload section, wherein each airborne platform comprises an airframe, a propulsion system, a power system, and flight control electronics, wherein the propulsion system is configured to provide propulsion power and thrust to maintain level flight, ascend, descend and maneuver the airborne platform, wherein the power system provides electrical power to the propulsion system, the flight control electronics, and the payload section, and wherein the flight control electronics provide capability to control a position, speed, and flight pattern of the airborne platform.

Claims

1. A communication fleet, comprising:

an airborne communication payload subdivided into multiple payload sections, wherein the multiple payload sections of the airborne communication payload combine to function as a single network component; and

a plurality of airborne platforms each including a payload section, wherein each airborne platform comprises an airframe, a propulsion system, a power system, and flight control electronics, wherein the propulsion system is configured to provide propulsion power and thrust to maintain level flight, ascend, descend and maneuver the airborne platform, wherein the power system provides electrical power to the propulsion system, the flight control electronics, and the payload section, wherein an RF or optical signal transmitted between the plurality of airborne platforms controls operation of the multiple payload sections of the airborne communication payload, and wherein the flight control electronics provide capability to control a position, speed, and flight pattern of the airborne platform.

2. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein at least one airborne platform is an unmanned airborne platform.

3. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein at least one airborne platform is a piloted aircraft.

4. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein at least one airborne platform is a fixed-wing airborne platform, or wherein at least one airborne platform is a lighter-than-air aircraft.

5. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein at least one airborne platform is configured to maintain position and altitude at around 20 km.

6. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the airborne platforms are configured to maintain position by hovering or circling above predetermined positions specified in GPS coordinates.

7. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein at least one airborne platform is configured to maintain a distance from at least one other airborne platform that is less than the distance from the airborne platforms to the ground.

8. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein at least two airborne platforms are in flight formation with one of the platforms flying in the wake of another.

9. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein each airborne platform is configured to maintain a distance from other airborne platforms of less than 100 wing spans of the airborne platforms.

10. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein each airborne platform is configured to maintain a distance from other airborne platforms of less than 10 wing spans.

11. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the airborne communication payload further comprises air-to-user link communications electronics, air-to-air link communications electronics, and payload control electronics.

12. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the airborne communication payload further comprises at least one of air-to-ground link equipment, air-to-tower link equipment, or air-to-space link equipment.

13. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the flight control electronics are configured to provide a protective region around the airborne platforms for collision avoidance.

14. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the flight control electronics are configured to provide synchronous flight patterns for the airborne platforms.

15. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the power system is configured to provides a renewable power supply configured to supply power for at least 24 hours.

16. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the power system further comprises a solar power system or a hybrid power system.

17. The communication fleet of claim 1, wherein the multiple payload sections of the airborne communication payload perform at least one same function of receiving or transmitting RF signals.

18. A method of operating a communication fleet, comprising:

dividing an airborne communication payload into multiple payload sections, wherein the multiple payload sections of the airborne communication payload combine to function as a single network component;

providing a plurality of airborne platforms, wherein each airborne platform comprises an airframe, a propulsion system, a power system, and flight control electronics, wherein the propulsion system in configured to provide propulsion power and thrust to maintain level flight, ascend, descend and maneuver the airborne platform, wherein the power system provides electrical power to the propulsion system, the flight control electronics, and the payload section, wherein an RF or optical signal transmitted between the plurality of airborne platforms controls operation of the multiple payload sections of the airborne communication payload, and wherein the flight control electronics provide capability to control a position, speed, and flight pattern of the airborne platform; and

placing each payload section in an airborne platform of the plurality of airborne platforms.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising maintaining a position and an altitude of at least one airborne platform at around 20 km.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising hovering or circling the plurality of airborne platforms above respective predetermined positions specified in GPS coordinates to maintain position.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising maintaining a distance of each airborne platform from at least one other airborne platform that is less than the distance from the airborne platforms to the ground.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising maintaining at least two airborne platforms in flight formation with one of the platforms flying in the wake of another.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising maintaining each airborne platform at a distance of less than 100 wing spans from other airborne platforms.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising, providing at least one of air-to-user links, air-to-air links, air-to-ground links, air-to-tower links, or air-to-space links.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a protective region around the airborne platforms for collision avoidance.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising flying the airborne platforms in synchronous flight patterns.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing power via the power system for at least 24 hours via a renewable power supply.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the multiple payload sections of the airborne communication payload perform at least one same function of receiving or transmitting RF signals.