US 8,010,287 B1 · Frequency hopping data link approach to autonomous GPS denied relative navigation determination

Abstract

The present invention is directed to accurate GPS (global positioning system)-free relative navigation between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a tanker aircraft. The UAV transmits a signal which is received by an antenna array at the tanker aircraft. Horizontal relative position of the UAV is determined by calculating range and bearing based on time and phase differences in the received signal. Vertical relative position of the UAV is determined by comparing the altitude of the UAV with the altitude of the tanker aircraft. The tanker aircraft then transmits a navigation solution based on the relative position of the UAV which is received by the UAV. The UAV may utilize the navigation solution transmitted by the tanker aircraft as a backup to a GPS determined navigation solution, in a GPS denied scenario, or in combination with an INS (inertial navigation system) determined navigation solution.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of providing a relative navigation solution between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first signal, as transmitted by a second vehicle transceiver, at the first vehicle utilizing a first vehicle antenna array including at least three spatially separated antenna elements operably connected to a first vehicle transceiver;
calculating a relative position of the second vehicle based upon time, altitude, and phase differences included in the first signal received by the first vehicle transceiver;
determining a relative navigation solution for the second vehicle based on the relative position of the second vehicle;
transmitting a second signal from the first vehicle transceiver, the signal including the relative navigation solution for the second vehicle;
wherein the first vehicle transceiver is configured to transmit and receive via synchronized frequency hopping communication, the first vehicle transceiver frequency being time synchronized with the second vehicle transceiver frequency.

2 more elements

A system for providing a relative navigation solution between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, comprising:

a transceiver operably mounted on a first vehicle, the transceiver including:
an antenna array comprising at least three spatially separated antenna elements;
a processing unit operably coupled to the antenna array;
and
wherein the first vehicle transceiver receives a first signal as transmitted by a second vehicle transceiver, the processing unit calculates the relative position of the second vehicle based upon time, altitude, and phase differences included in the first signal the processing unit determines the relative navigation solution based on the relative position of the second vehicle, and the first vehicle transceiver transmits a second signal including the navigation solution to the second vehicle transceiver, the first vehicle transceiver being configured to transmit and receive via synchronized frequency hopping communication, and the first vehicle transceiver frequency is time synchronized with the second vehicle transceiver frequency.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Frequency hopping data link approach to autonomous GPS denied relative navigation determination

Life of this patent

Frequency hopping data link approach to autonomous GPS denied relative navigation determination

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18