Antenna system for unmanned aerial vehicles with propellers
AssigneeSnap Inc.
InventorsJustin Boals, Ugur Olgun, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A UAV having a wireless-front end including propellers that are dual purposed to function as ground communication antenna elements. This design reduces weight and size of the UAV, hence enabling a compact design with the capability of handling a heavier payload.
Claims16
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- a body;
- two propellers coupled to the body, wherein the two propellers each include at least one blade including an antenna, wherein the antennas are configured to transmit and receive a radiation pattern, wherein the propellers are 90 degrees out of phase with each other;
- and
- a ground plane coupled to the body and configured to direct the radiation pattern, wherein the ground plane is positioned over at least one of the two propellers such that the at least one propeller is disposed between the ground plane and the body.
A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a body, two propellers coupled to the body and 90 degrees out of phase with each other, a ground plane positioned over at least one of the two propellers such that the at least one propeller is disposed between the ground plane and the body, wherein the two propellers each include at least one blade including an antenna, the method, comprising:
- the antenna transmitting or receiving radiation;
- and
- the ground plane reflecting the radiation to create a radiation pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.