IP Library Granted Patent US 10,836,483
Granted Patent B2
US 10,836,483 · App. 15/214,425 · Granted Nov 17, 2020

Ad hoc dynamic data link repeater

Inventor: Gil Michael (Oak Park, CA)
Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
B64C39/024B64B1/40B64C27/02B64D17/78H04B1/3822H04B7/185B64C2201/122F42C13/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,836,483
App. No.
15/214,425
Granted
Nov 17, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one possible embodiment, a system capable of a self-propagating data link includes an unmanned vehicle having a data link transceiver and at least one deployable data link transceiver. The unmanned vehicle having a deployment means for deploying the at least one deployable data link transceiver.

Claims (29)

1. A system capable of a self propagating data link, the system comprising:

an unmanned vehicle comprising:

a data link transceiver;

at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device configured such that the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device provides an expendable relay for data transmission between the unmanned vehicle and a remotely located user so that the unmanned vehicle is capable of forming a self propagating data link between the remotely located user and the unmanned vehicle;

a deployment means for deploying the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device away from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the deployment means deploys the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device away from the unmanned vehicle using at least one of a mechanical ejection, a pressurized gas, pyrotechnics, an airstream, or electromagnetics;

wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device comprising the dynamic data link relay transceiver is a data link transceiver device comprising a functionality inhibiter; and

wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device comprises a dynamic data link relay transceiver such that the at least one deployable data link transceiver device is capable of being an arbiter for the self propagating data link between the remotely located user and the unmanned vehicle, such that the arbiter capable transceiver is deployed from the unmanned vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further comprises a means for airborne loitering.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for airborne loitering comprises a descent inhibiting device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the descent inhibiting device comprises at least one of: an auto rotation apparatus; a parachute; or a balloon.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further includes an impact reducing landing mechanism.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further includes a landing gear apparatus.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device is adapted to erase sensitive data.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device comprises a self destruct mechanism.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further comprises visual sensors.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deployable data link relay transceiver device further comprises a radiation sensor.

11. An unmanned aerial vehicle deployable device comprising:

a data link transceiver;

an aerial descent retarding mechanism to slow a descent of the device upon deployment from an unmanned aerial vehicle;

wherein the device is configured to relay communications link data received by the unmanned aerial vehicle upon deployment such that the deployable device is a relay for a communications data link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and a remotely located user so that the unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of forming a self propagating data link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the remotely located user;

wherein the deployable device comprises a dynamic data link relay transceiver such that the deployable device is capable of being an arbiter for the self propagating data link between the remotely located user and the unmanned aerial vehicle, such that the arbiter capable transceiver is configured to be deployed from the unmanned aerial vehicle;

wherein the deployable device comprises the arbiter capable dynamic data link relay transceiver is an expendable data link transceiver; and

wherein the deployable device comprises a functionality inhibiter.

12. The deployable device of claim 11 , wherein the aerial descent retarding mechanism comprises an auto rotation apparatus.

13. The deployable device of claim 11 , wherein the aerial descent retarding mechanism comprises a parachute.

14. The deployable device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one deployable device is configured to erase sensitive data.

15. The deployable device of claim 11 further comprising a self-destruct mechanism.

16. The deployable device of claim 11 further comprising a visual sensor.

17. The deployable device of claim 11 comprising a radiation sensor.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 19, 2021
From: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 055343/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2017
From: MICHAEL, GIL
To: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 040833/0407 →