Cell tower installation systems and methods with unmanned aerial vehicles

• US 9,654,984 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Original Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Inventors: Priest, Lee, Griffin, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly A
• Application Number:
  US15/190,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20160323751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/022 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/60 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment

Abstract

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based installation method for equipment on cell towers includes flying the UAV with the equipment attached thereto upwards to a desired location on the cell tower, wherein the desired location comprises one or more horizontal support structures; positioning the equipment to the desired location on the cell tower; connecting the equipment to the desired location; and disconnecting the equipment from the UAV.

Claims

1. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based installation method for equipment on cell towers, the UAV-based installation method comprising:

attaching the equipment to the UAV via one or more robotic arms;

flying the UAV with the equipment attached thereto upwards to a desired location on the cell tower, wherein the desired location comprises one or more horizontal support structures;

positioning the equipment to the desired location on the cell tower, wherein the positioning is via one or more directional aids located on the one or more horizontal support structures, wherein the directional aids are monitored via a camera associated with the UAV, wherein the positioning comprises attaching the equipment to the desired location at the one or more directional aids via one or more magnets;

connecting the equipment to the desired location, wherein the one or more magnets are selectively energized for the positioning and the connecting and turned off subsequent to the connecting to avoid interference with antennas on the cell tower; and

disconnecting the equipment from the UAV,

wherein the positioning is performed by flying the UAV to attach the equipment to the one or more directional aids and the connecting is via the one or more robotic arms.

2. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, wherein the equipment comprises one or more of an antenna and a radio.

3. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, wherein the one or more directional aids comprise one or more of barcodes, Quick Response (QR) codes, numbers, symbols, pictures, a color, a phrase, and a combination thereof.

4. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, wherein the positioning comprises temporarily fixing the equipment to the desired location for the connecting.

5. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, wherein the connecting comprises attaching one or more clamps between the equipment and the one or more horizontal support structures.

6. The UAV-based installation method of claim 5, wherein the one or more clamps automatically connect to the equipment.

7. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, wherein the flying is performed by an operator with assistance from one or more directional aids located on the one or more horizontal support structures.

8. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, wherein the flying is performed by autonomously by the UAV based on one or more directional aids located on the one or more horizontal support structures.

9. The UAV-based installation method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing the disconnecting subsequent to the positioning; and

using the one or more robotic arms on the UAV to perform the connecting.

10. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) used in installation of equipment on cell towers, the UAV comprising:

one or more rotors disposed to a body;

wireless interfaces;

one or more arms adapted to connect and disconnect from the equipment;

a processor coupled to the wireless interfaces, the one or more rotors, and the one or more arms; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

fly with the equipment attached to the one or more arms upwards to a desired location on the cell tower, wherein the desired location comprises one or more horizontal support structures;

position the equipment to the desired location on the cell tower, wherein the equipment is positioned is via one or more directional aids located on the one or more horizontal support structures, wherein the directional aids are monitored via a camera associated with the UAV, wherein the equipment is positioned by temporarily fixing the equipment to the desired location for the connecting, wherein the equipment is positioned by attaching the equipment to the desired location via one or more magnets;

connect the equipment to the desired location, wherein the one or more magnets are selectively energized to position and connect the equipment and turned off subsequent to the equipment being connected to avoid interference with antennas on the cell tower; and

disconnect the equipment from the UAV,

wherein the equipment is positioned by flying the UAV to attach the equipment to the one or more directional aids and the equipment is connected via the one or more arms.

11. The UAV of claim 10, wherein the equipment comprises one or more of an antenna and a radio.

12. The UAV of claim 10, wherein the one or more magnets are selectively energized for the positioning and the connecting and turned off subsequent to the connecting.

13. The UAV of claim 10, wherein the equipment is connected by attaching one or more clamps between the equipment and the one or more horizontal support structures.