Beam forming and pointing in a network of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for broadband access
First Claim
1. A ground terminal apparatus configured to operate within a first service area and be provided data communication services from a first service provider, comprising:
- a terminal antenna fixture configured to form a first beam toward one or more unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the terminal antenna fixture configured to steer the first beam thereof to track a position of the one or more UAV as the one or more UAV maintains one or more corresponding orbits, the one or more UAV comprising a subset of a plurality of UAV, the subset of the plurality of UAV in data communication with the first service provider via a gateway apparatus;
a plurality of radio transmitters configured to transmit a first signal to the one or more UAV; and
a plurality of receivers configured to receive a second signal from the one or more UAV;
where the first service area is at least partially overlapping with a second service area associated with at least one other ground terminal apparatus, the at least one other ground terminal apparatus configured to form a second beam toward one or more other UAV of the plurality of UAV and be provided data communication services from a second service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods configured to form and point beams from one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward a target coverage area on the ground. One embodiment describes dividing the target coverage area on the ground among multiple UAVs when each UAV antenna system generates static beams. Another embodiment describes dividing the target coverage area on the ground among multiple UAVs when their antenna systems are capable of dynamically steering their respective beams. Another set of embodiments describe systems and method to allow multiple UAVs to provide service in the same area on the ground using the same spectrum.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A ground terminal apparatus configured to operate within a first service area and be provided data communication services from a first service provider, comprising:
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a terminal antenna fixture configured to form a first beam toward one or more unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the terminal antenna fixture configured to steer the first beam thereof to track a position of the one or more UAV as the one or more UAV maintains one or more corresponding orbits, the one or more UAV comprising a subset of a plurality of UAV, the subset of the plurality of UAV in data communication with the first service provider via a gateway apparatus; a plurality of radio transmitters configured to transmit a first signal to the one or more UAV; and a plurality of receivers configured to receive a second signal from the one or more UAV; where the first service area is at least partially overlapping with a second service area associated with at least one other ground terminal apparatus, the at least one other ground terminal apparatus configured to form a second beam toward one or more other UAV of the plurality of UAV and be provided data communication services from a second service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for forming one or more beams from a ground terminal apparatus, comprising:
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forming the one or more beams toward one or more unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) via a terminal antenna fixture, wherein the one or more UAV is selected from a subset of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of a plurality of UAVs, the plurality of UAVs (i) having a cruising orbit proximate to a service area of the ground terminal apparatus, (ii) being in data communication with at least one gateway apparatus, and (iii) configured to service a plurality of ground terminal apparatus in the service area; steering the one or more beams to track a respective position of the selected subset of UAV as the selected subset of UAV maintains one or more corresponding orbits; transmitting a first signal to the one or more UAV via the terminal antenna fixture; and receiving a second signal from the selected subset of UAV; wherein the one or more beams formed by the ground terminal apparatus are directed toward only the selected subset of UAV. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A ground terminal apparatus configured to form a first beam toward one or more unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the one or more UAV in data communication with a gateway apparatus, comprising:
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an antenna fixture configured to form the first beam, the first beam having a beam width; a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via the antenna fixture; a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising one or more instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the ground terminal apparatus to; measure an interference factor of at least one other UAV relative to the one or more UAV; determine the beam width based at least in part on the measured interference factor; based at least in part on the determination of the beam width, form the first beam toward the one or more UAV via the terminal antenna fixture; steer the first beam to track a position of the one or more UAV as the one or more UAV maintains one or more corresponding orbits; transmit a first signal to the one or more UAV via the terminal antenna fixture; and receive a second signal from the one or more UAV. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification