Ad hoc dynamic data link repeater

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10836483-B2
Application number	US-201615214425-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2016
Priority date	Sep 11, 2009
Publication date	Nov 17, 2020
Grant date	Nov 17, 2020

Abstract

In one possible embodiment, a system capable of a self-propagating data link includes an unmanned vehicle having a data link transceiver and at least one deployable data link transceiver. The unmanned vehicle having a deployment means for deploying the at least one deployable data link transceiver.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system capable of a self propagating data link, the system comprising:
an unmanned vehicle comprising:
a data link transceiver;
at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device configured such that the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device provides an expendable relay for data transmission between the unmanned vehicle and a remotely located user so that the unmanned vehicle is capable of forming a self propagating data link between the remotely located user and the unmanned vehicle;
a deployment means for deploying the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device away from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the deployment means deploys the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device away from the unmanned vehicle using at least one of a mechanical ejection, a pressurized gas, pyrotechnics, an airstream, or electromagnetics;

wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device comprising the dynamic data link relay transceiver is a data link transceiver device comprising a functionality inhibiter; and
wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device comprises a dynamic data link relay transceiver such that the at least one deployable data link transceiver device is capable of being an arbiter for the self propagating data link between the remotely located user and the unmanned vehicle, such that the arbiter capable transceiver is deployed from the unmanned vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further comprises a means for airborne loitering.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for airborne loitering comprises a descent inhibiting device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the descent inhibiting device comprises at least one of: an auto rotation apparatus; a parachute; or a balloon.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further includes an impact reducing landing mechanism.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further includes a landing gear apparatus.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device is adapted to erase sensitive data.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device comprises a self destruct mechanism.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further comprises visual sensors.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further comprises a radiation sensor.

11. An unmanned aerial vehicle deployable device comprising:
a data link transceiver;
an aerial descent retarding mechanism to slow a descent of the device upon deployment from an unmanned aerial vehicle;
wherein the device is configured to relay communications link data received by the unmanned aerial vehicle upon deployment such that the deployable device is a relay for a communications data link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and a remotely located user so that the unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of forming a self propagating data link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the remotely located user;
wherein the deployable device comprises a dynamic data link relay transceiver such that the deployable device is capable of being an arbiter for the self propagating data link between the remotely located user and the unmanned aerial vehicle, such that the arbiter capable transceiver is configured to be deployed from the unmanned aerial vehicle;
wherein the deployable device comprises the arbiter capable dynamic data link relay transceiver is an expendable data link transceiver; and
wherein the deployable device comprises a functionality inhibiter.

12. The deployable device of claim 11 , wherein the aerial descent retarding mechanism comprises an auto rotation apparatus.

13. The deployable device of claim 11 , wherein the aerial descent retarding mechanism comprises a parachute.

14. The deployable device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one deployable device is configured to erase sensitive data.

15. The deployable device of claim 11 further comprising a self-destruct mechanism.

16. The deployable device of claim 11 further comprising a visual sensor.

17. The deployable device of claim 11 comprising a radiation sensor.

Assignees

• Aerovironment Inc

Inventors

• Michael Gil

Classifications

• B64U2101/20

  for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms · CPC title

• B64U70/83

  using parachutes, balloons or the like · CPC title

• H04B7/185 Primary

  Space-based or airborne stations; {Stations for satellite systems}(H04B7/204 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F42B12/365

  Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means (F42B12/385 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04B7/18504

  Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform · CPC title