Telecommunications system utilizing drones
AssigneeSkywave Networks LLC
InventorKevin J. Babich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wireless communication is provided over an extended distance using a line or a series of drones traveling along a transmission path between a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends a data signal to a first drone that is within range of the transmitter. The first drone sends the data signal to an adjacent drone in the line of drones which retransmits the data signal to the next drone in line. The data signal is transmitted between drones until it reaches a final drone within range of the receiver. The final drone transmits the data signal to the receiver. As the drones travel along the transmission path, new drones are launched from a location within range of the transmitter to replace drones that land after transmitting a data signal to the receiver.
Claims16
A system, comprising:
- a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a data signal along a transmission path;
- a receiver configured to receive the data signal, wherein the receiver is positioned at a different location along the transmission path than the transmitter;
- at least two drones arranged in series and positioned along the transmission path between the transmitter and the receiver;
- wherein one of the drones is configured to receive the data signal from the transmitter and transmit the data signal to another of the drones;
- wherein one of the drones is configured to receive the data signal from another of the drones and transmit the data signal to the receiver;
- wherein the transmission path is a geodesic line;
- wherein the drones are configured to generally follow the geodesic line when flying;
- wherein the drones are configured to stay within a zone surrounding the geodesic line;
- wherein the drones include a steerable antenna;
- and
- wherein the steerable antenna is configured to monitor the spacing of one of the drones with respect to the other drones.
A method, comprising:
- launching a series of drones so that the drones travel along a transmission path between a transmitter and a receiver;
- transmitting a data signal from the transmitter to a drone in the series of drones within range of the transmitter;
- retransmitting the data signal from the drone that received the data signal from the transmitter to another drone in the series of drones;
- transmitting the data signal to the receiver from a drone in the series of drones within range of the receiver;
- wherein the transmission path is a geodesic line;
- flying the series of drones to generally follow the geodesic line;
- maintaining the series of drones within a zone surrounding the geodesic line;
- monitoring the position of the drones within the series of drones with a steerable antenna positioned on at least one of the drones;
- and
- monitoring the spacing of the drones within the series of drones with a steerable antenna positioned on at least one of the drones.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.