Broadband access to mobile platforms using drone/UAV background
First Claim
1. A method of receiving broadband access at a mobile platform via a network of drones, comprising:
- determining a location of a drone of a communications drone network based at least in part on a list of drone locations that includes a list of line of sight (LOS) values, wherein each drone location of the list of drone locations comprises a corresponding LOS value;
wherein the corresponding LOS value for each of the drone locations comprises a predetermined value that indicates signal strength for an unobstructed LOS between the drone and the mobile platform;
steering an antenna aperture toward the location of the drone;
determining whether a visibility of the drone is obstructed via the antenna aperture by measuring a signal strength and comparing the measured signal strength to the corresponding LOS value;
when the visibility of the drone is not obstructed;
searching for an optimal beam position within the antenna aperture along a first range of elevation and a second range of azimuth; and
electronically forming an antenna beam at the optimal beam position, the electrically formed beam comprising an uplink data stream and a downlink data stream; and
otherwise searching for a different drone on the list of drone locations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing broadband internet access to mobile platforms such as vehicles, aircraft, and portable devices, using a network of one or more entities such as drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In one embodiment, the drone communication system comprises an antenna sub-system, a radio sub-system and a data switching sub-system. The mobile platforms comprise antenna and radio sub-systems to communicate with the drones, detect changes in the mobile platforms azimuth and elevation changes, and adjust the mobile platform'"'"'s antenna beam to compensate for the orientation changes to optimally point toward the drones. The exemplary mobile platform further comprises methods to detect the need for handoff to a different drone and to carry out the handoff.
138 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of receiving broadband access at a mobile platform via a network of drones, comprising:
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determining a location of a drone of a communications drone network based at least in part on a list of drone locations that includes a list of line of sight (LOS) values, wherein each drone location of the list of drone locations comprises a corresponding LOS value; wherein the corresponding LOS value for each of the drone locations comprises a predetermined value that indicates signal strength for an unobstructed LOS between the drone and the mobile platform; steering an antenna aperture toward the location of the drone; determining whether a visibility of the drone is obstructed via the antenna aperture by measuring a signal strength and comparing the measured signal strength to the corresponding LOS value; when the visibility of the drone is not obstructed; searching for an optimal beam position within the antenna aperture along a first range of elevation and a second range of azimuth; and electronically forming an antenna beam at the optimal beam position, the electrically formed beam comprising an uplink data stream and a downlink data stream; and otherwise searching for a different drone on the list of drone locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A mobile platform configured to provide broadband access to at least one user, comprising:
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one or more sensors configured to detect one or more mobile platform orientation changes; logic configured to store a list of drone locations that comprises a list of line of sight (LOS) values, wherein each drone location of the list of drone locations comprises a corresponding LOS value; wherein the corresponding LOS value for each of the drone locations comprises a predetermined value that indicates signal strength for an unobstructed LOS between a drone and the mobile platform; an antenna sub-system configured to; dynamically point beams toward a specific one of a network of drone apparatus, and measure a signal strength of the specific one of the network of drone apparatus; when the signal strength substantially matches the corresponding LOS value, adjust the beams in response to the mobile platform orientation changes; and when the signal strength does not match the corresponding LOS value, point the beams toward a different one of the network of drone apparatus; and a radio sub-system configured to demodulate and decode received data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A mobile platform configured to provide broadband access to at least one user, comprising:
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one or more sensors configured to detect one or more mobile platform orientation changes; logic configured to store a list of drone locations that comprises a list of line of sight (LOS) values, wherein each drone location of the list of drone locations comprises a corresponding LOS value; wherein the corresponding LOS value for each of the drone locations comprises a predetermined value that indicates signal strength for an unobstructed LOS between a drone and the mobile platform; an antenna sub-system configured to; steer an antenna aperture toward a location of the drone; measure a signal strength of the drone; comparing the measured signal strength to the corresponding LOS value to determine whether a visibility of the drone is obstructed; and when the visibility of the drone is not obstructed; search for an optimal beam position within the antenna aperture along a first range of elevation and a second range of azimuth; and electronically form an antenna beam at the optimal beam position, the electrically formed beam comprising an uplink data stream and a downlink data stream; and otherwise search for a different drone on the list of drone locations. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification