# US 2018/0026705 A1 · Communications system for use with unmanned aerial vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0026705 A1 - Document ID: US20180026705A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/547,202 - Filed: 2016-01-29 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-29 - Assignees: Rocky Mountain Equipment Canada Ltd. - Applicants: Rocky Mountain Equipment Canada Ltd. - Inventors: Curtis PARKS; Chris POLOWICK - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180026705A1 ## CPC - H04B 7/18506: {Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service} - G05D 1/0022: {characterised by the communication link (data switching networks in general H04L12/00)} - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - G08G 5/26: Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft and ground stations - H04B 7/26: at least one of which is mobile - B64U 2201/20: Remote controls - G08C 2201/91: Remote control based on location and proximity - H04B 7/18508: {with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service} - H04B: TRANSMISSION - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93}) - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract Systems, methods, and devices relating to a communications system for use with unmanned aerial vehicles. The communications system is equipped with a controller/processor, a satellite-based communications module, and an RF-based communications module. Both communications modules are coupled to an autopilot module and to sensor modules so that commands can be received by the autopilot module from the communication modules. As well, the flight characteristics can be received from the sensor modules and can be transmitted to a base station by way of the communications modules. For short to medium range missions, the RF-based communications module is active with the satellite based communications module providing a backup communications link. For medium to long rage missions, the satellite based communications module is active and the base station and the UAV communicate by way of this module. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for communications between an unmanned vehicle and a base station, the system comprising: a first communications module for communicating with said base station using a radio-frequency (RF) link; a second communications module for communicating with said base station using a satellite-based link; a controller for activating and deactivating any of said first and second communications modules; wherein at least one of said communications modules is active at any one time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein said controller activates said second communications module when said RF link is unusable due to being out of range. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein said second communications module is used as a backup to said first communications module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein communications between said vehicle and said base station comprises sensor readings for an environment surrounding said vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein communications between said vehicle and said base station comprises voice communications received by said vehicle from other vehicles in an area surrounding said vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein communications between said vehicle and said base station comprises voice communications to be transmitted by said vehicle to other vehicles in an area surrounding said vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein communications between said vehicle and said base station comprises commands for controlling said vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein said satellite based link is only active when communications are being received or transmitted. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein said system is coupled to other subsystems on said vehicle by way of a local data network on said vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A system according to claim 9, wherein said other subsystems include at least one of: a camera module, a LIDAR module, and a GPS interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A system according to claim 10, wherein said GPS interface produces a single GPS timing signal used by said other subsystems for timing events for which at least one of said other subsystems is triggered. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A system according to claim 11, wherein said single GPS timing signal is produced using at least two GPS antennas located at different points on said vehicle. ### Claim 13 A method for controlling an unmanned vehicle from a remote base station, the method comprising: a) receiving, at said vehicle, commands for controlling said vehicle; b) passing said commands to a control module on said vehicle; wherein said commands are received by way of either a first communications module for communicating between said base station and said vehicle using a radio frequency (RF) link or a second communications module communicating between said base station and said vehicle using a satellite-based link. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, wherein a controller on said vehicle switches between said first communications module and said second communications module when said vehicle is beyond an effective range of said RF link. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, wherein a controller on said vehicle uses said second communications module as a backup to said first communications module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of switching from using said RF link to said satellite-based link when said RF link is no longer available due to range limitations of said RF link. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of receiving voice communications from said base station and passing said voice communications to aircraft in a surrounding area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of receiving voice communications from aircraft from a surrounding area and passing said voice communications to said base station. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of gathering sensor readings for an environment surrounding said vehicle and transmitting said readings to said base station.