Unmanned aerial vehicle as well as direction finding system

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a main body and at least two rotor units configured to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes at least two antenna units configured to receive a radio signal. The antenna units are located with respect to the main body such that the antenna units are assigned to different lateral sides of the main body. Further, a direction finding system is described.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle with a main body and at least two rotor units configured to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises at least two antenna units configured to receive a radio signal, and wherein the antenna units are located with respect to the main body such that the antenna units are assigned to different lateral sides of the main body, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises at least one of a base interface, the base interface being configured to be connected to a mast, or a communications interface configured to transmit direction finding data measured, wherein the communications interface is configured to use optical communication techniques.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least two antenna units are assigned to the at least two rotor units.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the antenna units are located close to the rotor units.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each of the antenna units corresponds to a support for its assigned rotor unit.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each antenna unit and its assigned rotor unit together form an integrated module.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the antenna units are located such that the distance between the antenna units is maximized.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle has at least two arms, wherein each arm holds one of the at least two antenna units and the dedicated rotor unit.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the at least two arms extend from the main body in a radial and/or equidistant manner.

9. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a first operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as a flying unmanned aerial vehicle.

10. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a second operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as a direction finder.

11. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 10, in the second operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as a stationary direction finder.

12. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as a mobile locator for direction finding.

13. A direction finding system comprising a mast and an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is fixedly connected with the mast.

14. The direction finding system according to claim 13, wherein the direction finding system comprises a base unit that is configured to communicate with the unmanned aerial vehicle.

15. An unmanned aerial vehicle with a main body and at least two rotor units configured to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises at least two antenna units configured to receive a radio signal, and wherein the antenna units are located with respect to the main body such that the antenna units are assigned to different lateral sides of the main body, wherein each of the antenna units corresponds to a support for its assigned rotor unit, and wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle has several arms that are connected with the main body, wherein the arms extend from the main body in a radial manner, wherein the antenna units are located at free ends of the arms, and wherein the antenna units extend in perpendicular direction with respect to an extension direction of the arms.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a representative embodiment of a direction finding system according to the present disclosure; and

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows another embodiment of a direction finding system according to the present disclosure, which comprises several unmanned aerial vehicles according to the present disclosure in an operative scenario.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

(7) In FIG. 1, an unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is shown that comprises a main body 12 that encompasses a control and/or analyzing circuitry, for example, a control and/or analyzing unit 14, of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In an embodiment, a control and/or analyzing unit 14 includes a processing circuit, such as a processing unit, and a control circuit, such as a control unit, that are separately formed with respect to each other.

(8) In some embodiments, the term “unit” used in the preceding paragraph with regards to the unit 14 and/or its components refers to a combination of hardware (e.g. a processor such as an integrated circuit or other circuitry) and/or software (e.g. machine- or processor-executable instructions, commands, or code such as firmware, programming, or object code). Furthermore, a combination of hardware and/or software may include hardware only (i.e. a hardware element with no software elements), software hosted at hardware (e.g. software that is stored at a memory and executed or interpreted at a processor), or hardware with the software hosted thereon. In some embodiments, the hardware may, inter alia, comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other types of electronic circuitry.

(9) The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 also includes several arms 16 that are connected with the main body 12. The arms 16 each extend from the main body 12 in a radial manner, wherein the arms 16 are distanced from each other in an equidistant manner with respect to a circumference around the main body 12.

(10) In the shown embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 comprises five arms 16, wherein two neighbored arms 16 define an angle α between them that corresponds to 72°. However, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may generally comprise more or less than the shown five arms 16.

(11) In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 comprises several antennas, such as antenna units 18, that are located at the free ends 20 of the arms 16. The free ends 20 relate to the ends that are opposite to the main body 12 to which the arms 16 are connected. Accordingly, the antenna units 18 are distanced (spaced) from the main body 12 by a maximum distance. The maximum distance is defined by the length of the respective arm 16. Furthermore, the antenna units 18 are also distanced from each other in a maximal manner.

(12) As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna units 18 extend in a (substantially) perpendicular direction with respect to the extension direction of the arms 16. In some embodiments, prolongations of the arms 16 intersect each other in a center point that coincidences with the center of the main body 12.

(13) In contrast to the arms 16, the antenna units 18 each define a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes of the antenna units 18 extend parallel with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axes of the antenna units 18 are normal to a surface of the main body 12.

(14) The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 further comprises several rotors, such as rotor units 22, that are also assigned to the free ends 20 of the arms 16. The rotor units 22 are generally configured to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the rotor units 22 are supported by the antenna units 18. In other words, each of the antenna units 18 corresponds to a dedicated support for its assigned rotor unit 22.

(15) As shown in FIG. 1, the entire unmanned aerial vehicle 10 has, in a top view on the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, a star-like shape.

(16) In some embodiments, the antenna units 18 as well as the associated rotor units 22 are assigned to lateral ends, namely the free ends 20, of the arms 16 that extend in a radial manner from the centrally arranged main body 12 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

(17) Accordingly, the antenna units 18 are located with respect to the main body 12 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 such that the antenna units 18 are assigned to different lateral sides of the main body 12.

(18) In a similar manner, the rotor units 22 are also assigned to different lateral sides of the main body 12, as the rotor units 22 are directly assigned to the respective antenna units 18.

(19) Accordingly, the antenna units 18 and the rotor units 22 are located in close proximity of each other.

(20) The antenna unit 18 and the assigned rotor unit 22 may together form an integrated assembly or module 24 that can be connected with the main body 12 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

(21) In some embodiments, the integrated module 24 may also comprise the respective arm 16 to which the antenna unit 18 is connected. Thus, the arm 16 may provide an interface of the integrated module 24 via which the integrated module 24 can be connected with the main body 12.

(22) The main body 12 may comprise several corresponding interfaces such that several integrated modules 24 may be connected to the main body 12.

(23) Generally, the main body 12 may be configured in a modular manner such that the number of antenna units 18 and/or rotor units 22 can be extended if desired. In some embodiments, the number of integrated modules 24 can be adapted in a desired manner.

(24) The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be operated as a flying unmanned aerial vehicle. Hence, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may have a first operation mode, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is controlled to fly. Thus, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may receive respective control signals via its antenna units 18 that are forwarded to the control and/or analyzing unit 14 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 for controlling the respective rotor units 22 in an appropriate manner.

(25) In the first operation mode, namely the flying mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may also be configured to be used as a mobile locator 26 for direction finding. This means that the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is flown to a certain area, for example an area that cannot be accessed by a stationary direction finding system.

(26) When being operated as a mobile locator 26, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may receive radio signals from the respective area monitored. Then, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is enabled to perform direction finding in order to locate a source of a certain radio signal, for instance an interferer. The respective direction finding data measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be (temporarily) stored in a storage 28 that may also be encompassed by the main body 12.

(27) Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may comprise a communications interface or module 30 that can also be encompassed in the main body 12. The communications module 30 may include, for example, one or more communications circuits for implement one-way (e.g., transmit or receive) and/or bi-directional (e.g., transmit and receive) communications as further described herein.

(28) The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is configured to communicate via the communication module 30 with a base unit (not shown in FIG. 1) in order to forward the respective direction finding data measured for evaluating purposes as will be explained later.

(29) The communication module 30 may use optical communication techniques in order to transmit the respective direction finding data measured. For instance, laser technologies are used to communicate the respective data. Thus, a secure communication is ensured that is not interceptable by a third party which is not authorized to intercept the respective communication.

(30) In a second operation mode, which may be effective alternatively or additionally to the first operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is configured to be operated as a (stationary) direction finder. As already mentioned above, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be operated as a mobile locator 26. Thus, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can identify and locate a certain source of a radio signal.

(31) In some embodiments, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may also be operated as a stationary direction finder. In this mode, the rotor units 22 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 are not controlled to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

(32) In some embodiments, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 comprises a base interface 32 that may be assigned to the main body 12. The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be connected to a mast 34 via the base interface 32. The mast 34 may relate to a direction finding system 36 that comprises the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 as well as the mast 34. In FIG. 3, the direction finding system 36 is shown in which the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 of FIG. 1 is connected to the mast 34.

(33) In other words, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 has a constructive design such that the main body 12 or rather the antenna units 18 may serve as support stands for the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 while not flying. In this stationary operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is, for example, fixedly connected with the mast 34.

(34) In some embodiments, the mast 34 may be extractable or non-extractable. Thus, the mast 34 corresponds to a rod of a certain base station, for instance a shelter mounted on a vehicle, a standalone base station, a ship or any other system used for direction finding.

(35) Generally, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be connected with a base unit 38 of the direction finding system 36 by a cable or a wire, ensuring secure communication.

(36) In FIG. 2, another embodiment of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is shown. In the second embodiment, the antenna units 18 are also assigned to different lateral sides of the main body 12. However, the rotor units 22 are not directly assigned to the respective antenna units 18, but to a lower side of the main body 12.

(37) Generally, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may have different designs with regard to the respective arrangement of the rotor units 22 and the antenna units 18. Moreover, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a cage 40 for protecting the components of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, for example the rotor units 22 and/or the antenna units 18. In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may comprise at least one further module 42 for collecting data, such as a camera.

(38) In FIG. 4, another embodiment of a direction finding system 36 is shown that comprises several unmanned aerial vehicles 10 operated in a flying mode as well as one unmanned aerial vehicle 10 fixedly connected to the mast 34.

(39) As shown in FIG. 4, the mast 34 is assigned to a vehicle. The direction finding system 36 comprises the base unit 38 that is assigned to the vehicle.

(40) The flying unmanned aerial vehicles 10 communicate with the base unit 38 by their communications modules 30 in order to forward the direction finding data measured via the antenna units 18. Accordingly, these unmanned aerial vehicles 10 may correspond to mobile locators 26. Furthermore, the flying unmanned aerial vehicles 10 may receive control signals via their antenna units 18. The stationary unmanned aerial vehicle 10, namely the one connected to the mast 34, is only operated as a direction finder, as the respective rotor units 22 are not controlled.

(41) Generally, the base unit 38 communicating with the communication module(s) 30 of the unmanned aerial vehicle(s) 10 may comprise high computational power. This ensures that the base unit 38 may process direction finding data measured by several unmanned aerial vehicles 10.

(42) Certain embodiments disclosed herein utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used. It will be appreciated that the term “information” can be use synonymously with the term “signals” in this paragraph. It will be further appreciated that the terms “circuitry,” “circuit,” “one or more circuits,” etc., can be used synonymously herein.

(43) In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

(44) In an embodiment, circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

(45) In some examples, the functionality described herein can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems or circuits, etc., or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

(46) Of course, in some embodiments, two or more of these components, or parts thereof, can be integrated or share hardware and/or software, circuitry, etc. In some embodiments, these components, or parts thereof, may be grouped in a single location or distributed over a wide area. In circumstances were the components are distributed, the components are accessible to each other via communication links.

(47) The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is equivalent to “A and/or B” or vice versa, namely “A” alone, “B” alone or “A and B.”. Similarly, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

(48) The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.