Deployable on-board optical fiber link for aerial drones
A real-time high-definition imaging system includes a rotary-wing aerial drone that is remote-controlled by way of a control device. The drone includes at least one high-definition image sensor, a signal processing module for producing an image stream. The system includes real-time transmission means for transmitting the image stream to a fixed station. The transmission means include an optical fiber wound on a fixed reel attached to the drone with a vertical axis. An output of the optical fiber is directed downward when the drone is in the horizontal position. The optical fiber is coated with an adhesive substance to prevent the optical fiber from prematurely unwinding. One of the ends of the optical fiber is coupled to the signal processing module of the drone by an optical connector and the other end is coupled to an optical connector of a processing module of the fixed station.
1 . A real-time high-definition imaging system, comprising:
a fixed station;
a rotary-wing aerial drone comprising:
at least one high-definition image sensor, and
a reel that is fixed to the aerial drone and that has an axis oriented vertically when the aerial drone is in a horizontal position; and
an optical fiber wound onto the reel, an output of the optical fiber being directed downward when the aerial drone is in the horizontal position, a first end of the optical fiber being coupled to an optical connector of the aerial done and a second of the optical fiber being coupled to the fixed station, the optical fiber configured for real-time transmission of an image detected by the at least one high-definition image sensor to the fixed station.
2 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber is coated with an adhesive substance to prevent premature unwinding of the optical fiber.
3 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the reel comprises an outer casing having two flanges, and wherein the optical fiber is wound between the two flanges to form a hubless reel.
4 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber is configured to be released from the reel from an inside of the wound optical fiber, starting with inner turns of the optical fiber.
5 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber is configured to be released from the reel from an outside of the optical fiber, starting with outer turns of the optical fiber.
6 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the fixed station is configured to transmit digital data for controlling functionalities of the aerial drone via the optical fiber.
7 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein each of the aerial drone and the fixed station each comprise an optoelectronic device configured to transform photons conveyed by the optical fiber into two distinct electrical signals, one corresponding to a control signal and the other to a video stream.
8 . A single-use optical fiber reel for an aerial drone based real-time high-definition imaging system, the optical fiber reel comprising:
a quick coupling plate configured to lockably engage with and attach to the aerial drone; and
a wound optical fiber coated with an adhesive substance to prevent premature unwinding of the optical fiber wound on the reel, one end of the optical fiber being configured to be coupled to an optical connector of the aerial drone and another end of the optical fiber being configured to be coupled to an optical connector of a fixed station.
9 . A horizontal rotary-wing drone configured to be remotely piloted by way of a control device, the drone comprising:
at least one high-definition image sensor configured to produce an image stream; and
a reel of optical fiber configured to be unwound from an inner surface of the reel, one end of the optical fiber being coupled to an optical connector of the drone and another end being configured to couple to an optical connector of a fixed station.