Parachute assembly for deploying a wireless mesh network
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of parachutes, each parachute being of a type which, when dropped from a height, exhibits a non-guided free-fall flight path, each parachute comprising a frame made from a metallic material and a covering attached to the frame;
a payload, the payload comprising a wireless communications circuit electrically connected to the frame to use the frame as a first antenna;
wherein the wireless communications circuit of each of the parachutes'"'"' payloads is configured at least to;
detect at least one neighboring wireless communications circuit; and
establish a reception and transmission channel with the neighboring wireless communications circuit via at least the first antenna, thereby forming an ad-hoc wireless communications network; and
wherein one of the plurality of parachutes further comprises a first external link thereby providing an exit point from the ad-hoc wireless network;
or a second external link thereby providing an entry point to the ad-hoc wireless network.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the deployment of a plurality of wireless communication devices in order to provide a wireless mesh communications network. According to various embodiments, deployment of the communications devices is made by parachutes suitably adapted for the purpose.
21 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of parachutes, each parachute being of a type which, when dropped from a height, exhibits a non-guided free-fall flight path, each parachute comprising a frame made from a metallic material and a covering attached to the frame; a payload, the payload comprising a wireless communications circuit electrically connected to the frame to use the frame as a first antenna; wherein the wireless communications circuit of each of the parachutes'"'"' payloads is configured at least to; detect at least one neighboring wireless communications circuit; and establish a reception and transmission channel with the neighboring wireless communications circuit via at least the first antenna, thereby forming an ad-hoc wireless communications network; and wherein one of the plurality of parachutes further comprises a first external link thereby providing an exit point from the ad-hoc wireless network;
or a second external link thereby providing an entry point to the ad-hoc wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-guided free-fall retarding device for deploying a wireless communications circuit, the non-guided free-fall retarding device comprising:
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a payload including a wireless communication circuit; a frame; and a covering attached to the frame; wherein the non-guided free-fall retarding device is configured as a parachute, and wherein the frame is made from a metallic material and is configured to be connected to the wireless communications circuit, the frame serving as an antenna for the wireless communications circuit; wherein the non-guided free-fall retarding device is configured to detect neighboring wireless communications systems and to build communication channels between neighboring wireless communications systems, thereby forming an ad-hoc wireless communications network; and wherein the non-guided free-fall retarding device is further configured to establish a first external link, thereby providing an exit point from the ad-hoc wireless network, or a second external link thereby providing an entry point to the ad-hoc wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for establishing a wireless mesh communications network over an area, the method comprising:
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dropping a plurality of parachute systems above an area, each parachute system being of a type which exhibits a non-guided free-fall flight path, each parachute system comprising a frame made from a metallic material and a covering attached to the frame, each parachute system having; a payload, the payload comprising a wireless communications circuit electrically connected to the frame to use the frame as a first antenna; configuring the plurality of parachute systems to detect neighboring parachute systems and to build communication channels between neighboring parachute systems, thereby forming a wireless ad-hoc communications network; wherein one of the parachute systems further comprises a first external link thereby providing an exit point from the network;
or a second external link thereby providing an entry point to the network. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification