Aerial vehicle data communication system
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle;
a base station comprising;
a housing;
a first wireless communication circuit configured to send flight command signals to the unmanned aerial vehicle using a first communication link with a first throughput capacity and a first range; and
a second wireless communication circuit configured to receive aerial data from the unmanned aerial vehicle using a second communication link with a second throughput capacity and a second range, wherein the second throughput capacity is higher than the first throughput capacity and wherein the second range is less than the first range; and
a user interface device configured to generate and send a flight plan or components thereof to the base station for forwarding to the unmanned aerial vehicle,wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to cease sending aerial data when travelling outside of the second range; and
wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to continue receiving flight command signals when travelling outside of the second range and inside of the first range.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data communication system for unmanned aerial vehicles includes communication links comprising a low-throughput capacity communication link and a high-throughput capacity communication link. The data communication system can also include a base station, to which the unmanned aerial vehicles send aerial data, and from which the unmanned aerial vehicles receive command signals. As the unmanned aerial vehicles perform missions in an open, distant airspace, the unmanned aerial vehicles can gather large volume data such as aerial images or videos. The data communication system allows opportunistic transfer of the gathered aerial data from the unmanned aerial vehicles to the base station when a high-throughput communication link is established. The data communication system allows constant communication between the base station and the unmanned aerial vehicles to send and receive low volume, operation-critical data, such as commands or on-going flight path changes, using a low-throughput communication link.
39 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an unmanned aerial vehicle; a base station comprising; a housing; a first wireless communication circuit configured to send flight command signals to the unmanned aerial vehicle using a first communication link with a first throughput capacity and a first range; and a second wireless communication circuit configured to receive aerial data from the unmanned aerial vehicle using a second communication link with a second throughput capacity and a second range, wherein the second throughput capacity is higher than the first throughput capacity and wherein the second range is less than the first range; and a user interface device configured to generate and send a flight plan or components thereof to the base station for forwarding to the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to cease sending aerial data when travelling outside of the second range; and wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to continue receiving flight command signals when travelling outside of the second range and inside of the first range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification