A communications system including an antenna array and electronics assembly that may be mounted on and in a vehicle. The communication system may generally comprise an external subassembly that is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle, and an internal subassembly that is located within the vehicle, the external and internal subassemblies being communicatively coupled to one another. The external subassembly may comprise the antenna array as well as mounting equipment and steering actuators to move the antenna array in azimuth, elevation and polarization (for example, to track a satellite or other signal source). The internal subassembly may comprise most of the electronics associated with the communication system.

A connector, a built-in antenna structure, and an unmanned aerial vehicle using the built-in antenna structure. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a body, and a support stand including a receiving rod. The built-in antenna structure includes a connector, a buffer and an antenna. The antenna and the buffer are received in the receiving rod, with the buffer wrapping the antenna. The connector is disposed between the receiving rod and the body to drive the receiving rod to rotate relative to the body. One end of the antenna protrudes from the connector and is electrically connected with the body. In an embodiment, the space occupied by the antenna is reduced, and the service life of the antenna and the overall appearance of the unmanned aerial vehicle are improved. Moreover, the angle of the receiving rod can be adjusted, for facilitating reception of signals by the antenna.

A connector, a built-in antenna structure, and an unmanned aerial vehicle using the built-in antenna structure. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a body, and a support stand including a receiving rod. The built-in antenna structure includes a connector, a buffer and an antenna. The antenna and the buffer are received in the receiving rod, with the buffer wrapping the antenna. The connector is disposed between the receiving rod and the body to drive the receiving rod to rotate relative to the body. One end of the antenna protrudes from the connector and is electrically connected with the body. In an embodiment, the space occupied by the antenna is reduced, and the service life of the antenna and the overall appearance of the unmanned aerial vehicle are improved. Moreover, the angle of the receiving rod can be adjusted, for facilitating reception of signals by the antenna.

Mobile surveillance systems (MSSs) and related techniques are provided to improve the safety and operational flexibility of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An MMS may include an extendable mast, a motor configured to control movement of the extendable mast between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a logic device configured to communicate with and control the extendable mast and the motor. The logic device may be configured to adjust a speed of the motor based on a position of the extendable mast between the stowed position and the deployed position and based on deployment or stowing of the extendable mast. The logic device may be configured to adjust a torque of the motor based on the position of the extendable mast and based on deployment or stowing of the extendable mast.

Mobile surveillance systems (MSSs) and related techniques are provided to improve the safety and operational flexibility of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An MMS may include an extendable mast, a motor configured to control movement of the extendable mast between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a logic device configured to communicate with and control the extendable mast and the motor. The logic device may be configured to adjust a speed of the motor based on a position of the extendable mast between the stowed position and the deployed position and based on deployment or stowing of the extendable mast. The logic device may be configured to adjust a torque of the motor based on the position of the extendable mast and based on deployment or stowing of the extendable mast.

An articulated mechanism is included in an articulated pointing system. The articulated mechanism includes first, second, and third spherical joints, and a first, second, and third lever. The first and second spherical joints are linked by the first lever. The first lever includes a first projecting portion. The first and third spherical joints are linked by the second lever, the second lever including a second projecting portion projecting in an opposite direction of the first projecting portion. The second and third spherical joints are linked by the third lever, such that the longitudinal axes of the first lever and of the second lever are perpendicular. The articulated pointing system includes a basement platform and a mobile platform joined by two articulated hinges. The hinges are moved by actuators. The articulated mechanism has the first lever attached to the mobile platform and the second lever attached to the basement platform.

An articulated mechanism is included in an articulated pointing system. The articulated mechanism includes first, second, and third spherical joints, and a first, second, and third lever. The first and second spherical joints are linked by the first lever. The first lever includes a first projecting portion. The first and third spherical joints are linked by the second lever, the second lever including a second projecting portion projecting in an opposite direction of the first projecting portion. The second and third spherical joints are linked by the third lever, such that the longitudinal axes of the first lever and of the second lever are perpendicular. The articulated pointing system includes a basement platform and a mobile platform joined by two articulated hinges. The hinges are moved by actuators. The articulated mechanism has the first lever attached to the mobile platform and the second lever attached to the basement platform.

A pedestal includes a supporter having an azimuth axis and a pivot on the azimuth axis, and a tracker connected to the pivot and configured to track an object within a field of view, wherein the azimuth axis is tilted with respect to a reference plane on which the supporter is installed in a direction away from a zenith line joining the pivot with a zenith within the field of view, and a tilt angle between the azimuth axis and the reference plane is set to correspond to an orbital angle of the object.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for mounting an antenna assembly to a vehicle, whereby rotational degrees of freedom between the antenna assembly and the vehicle are constrained. For example, an antenna mount may employ an intermediate structure between the antenna assembly and the vehicle. In various examples, the intermediate structure may be coupled with one of the vehicle or the antenna assembly by a linear coupling, and the intermediate structure may be coupled with the other of the vehicle or the antenna assembly by a planar coupling. The antenna assembly may be coupled with the vehicle by a compliant coupling that provides a centering force between the antenna assembly and the vehicle. According to various examples, rotational movement between the antenna assembly and the vehicle may be suppressed, and vibration from the vehicle to the antenna assembly may be attenuated.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for mounting an antenna assembly to a vehicle, whereby rotational degrees of freedom between the antenna assembly and the vehicle are constrained. For example, an antenna mount may employ an intermediate structure between the antenna assembly and the vehicle. In various examples, the intermediate structure may be coupled with one of the vehicle or the antenna assembly by a linear coupling, and the intermediate structure may be coupled with the other of the vehicle or the antenna assembly by a planar coupling. The antenna assembly may be coupled with the vehicle by a compliant coupling that provides a centering force between the antenna assembly and the vehicle. According to various examples, rotational movement between the antenna assembly and the vehicle may be suppressed, and vibration from the vehicle to the antenna assembly may be attenuated.