Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to implementing a passive and adaptive bistatic or multi-static radar system. Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to using reflections from one or more navigational aids. Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to generating a digital model of a physical environment to implement a deterministic passive radio system.
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systemsAnalogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
G08G 5/22 - Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information located on the ground
2.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINISTIC NAVAID RADAR
Some examples of the disclosure are directed to implementing a passive and adaptive bistatic or multi-static radar system. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to using reflections from one or more navigational aids. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to generating a digital model of a physical environment to implement a deterministic passive radio system. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to collaborative approaches to identifying, locating, and track airborne objects.
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systemsAnalogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
G01S 7/41 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group using analysis of echo signal for target characterisationTarget signatureTarget cross-section
G01S 13/66 - Radar-tracking systemsAnalogous systems
G01S 13/91 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control
3.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINISTIC NAVAID RADAR
Some examples of the disclosure are directed to implementing a passive and adaptive bistatic or multi-static radar system. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to using reflections from one or more navigational aids. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to generating a digital model of a physical environment to implement a deterministic passive radio system. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to collaborative approaches to identifying, locating, and track airborne objects.
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systemsAnalogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
G01S 7/41 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group using analysis of echo signal for target characterisationTarget signatureTarget cross-section
G01S 13/66 - Radar-tracking systemsAnalogous systems
G01S 13/91 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control
4.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IN GROUND TO AERIAL VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS
Disclosed herein is a terrestrial to air communications network that can be configured to include a spectrum management system that deterministically allocates spectrum to aircraft for use during flight. In one or more examples, a user transmits a flight plan to a spectrum management system that is configured to manage the RF spectrum in a given air space. In one or more examples, and based on the received flight plan, the spectrum management system can allocate an RF spectrum frequency “slot” (i.e., timeslot, subchannel, or resource block) for the aircraft to use during its intended flight. The spectrum management system can take into account available spectrum as well as the predicted network traffic and their spectrum allocations to determine an RF spectrum slot that can provide a stable and continuous communications channel to the aircraft during its flight.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods of predicting fading loss of signals transmitted between a ground-based transceiver and an aircraft based upon a two-ray fading model that incorporates elevation information of an environment. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to determine fading loss using a plurality of geofences that are determined based on a plurality of planar shapes.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods of predicting fading loss of signals transmitted between a ground-based transceiver and an aircraft based upon a two-ray fading model that incorporates elevation information of an environment. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to determine fading loss using a plurality of geofences that are determined based on a plurality of planar shapes.
a prioria priori information from the flight plan to pre-coordinate handovers before the actual handover is to be initiated. In one or more examples, pre-coordination can include exchanging cryptographic keys between a source base station and a probable target base station of a handover.
Disclosed herein is a method for performing communication link handoffs between ground-based stations and aircraft in an aviation communications network. In the communications network, ground based stations interspersed throughout a coverage area of the network can be utilized to provide one or more aircraft flying within the coverage area with communications links that facilitate communication between an operator and an aircraft. In one or more examples, during the operation of the flight, the spectrum management system or other controller can coordinate the transfer of communications responsibilities between ground-stations of the network. The network can use a priori information from the flight plan to pre-coordinate handovers before the actual handover is to be initiated. In one or more examples, pre-coordination can include exchanging cryptographic keys between a source base station and a probable target base station of a handover.
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for implementing secure and remote location identification for UAVs and other aerial vehicles. A system for tracking the location of one or more UAVs flying within a given geographic area includes one or more ground-based transceivers that are distributed throughout the geographic area. Each transceiver is communicatively coupled to a common controller that is configured to coordinate operation of the system. The common controller causes each of the ground-based transceivers to transmit an interrogation signal that is received by one or more aircraft flying within the geographic coverage area of the system. The interrogation signal includes transmit control information that the aircraft must comply with when sending a response signal to the ground-based transceivers. Compliance with the transmit control information is used to authenticate the aircraft.
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for implementing secure and remote location identification for UAVs and other aerial vehicles. A system for tracking the location of one or more UAVs flying within a given geographic area includes one or more ground-based transceivers that are distributed throughout the geographic area. Each transceiver is communicatively coupled to a common controller that is configured to coordinate operation of the system. The common controller causes each of the ground-based transceivers to transmit an interrogation signal that is received by one or more aircraft flying within the geographic coverage area of the system. The interrogation signal includes transmit control information that the aircraft must comply with when sending a response signal to the ground-based transceivers. Compliance with the transmit control information is used to authenticate the aircraft.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a multistatic radar system that is configured to detect airborne objects without the need for a transponder on the aircraft. The multistatic radar can be implemented using preexisting communications infrastructure associated with various networks such as paging networks. The multistatic radar system can be implemented using a plurality of multistatic communications links (e.g., transmitters that are communicatively coupled to a plurality of receivers). The distribution of transmitters and receivers in the network can be based on the RF conditions of the coverage area of the network. The multistatic radar network can produce one or more deterministic waveforms that provide the network with signal diversity needed for accurate detection, localization, and tracking of airborne assets. By controlling the waveforms in the system, as well as the density of the network, the multistatic radar system is able to use narrowband signals and operate with lower power than conventional radar systems.
G01S 13/72 - Radar-tracking systemsAnalogous systems for two-dimensional tracking, e.g. combination of angle and range tracking, track-while-scan radar
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systemsAnalogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
13.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING A MULTISTATIC RADAR NETWORK FOR DETECTION OF AIRBORNE OBJECTS
Systems and methods for a multistatic radar network (200) that is configured to detect airborne objects (306). The multistatic radar network (300) comprising a plurality of radar nodes (302A-J), wherein each radar node of the plurality of radar nodes comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The radar nodes that are placed in multiple locations that are spatially apart from one another. Each of the nodes of the system can be centrally controlled, and each of the radar nodes can be synchronized using GPS signals as an example, but other methods can also be used, such as network based timing sources, external clocks, etc. to improve the performance of the multistatic radar network. The transmitters of the multistatic radar network are synchronized such that they each emit a transmit signal simultaneously. In one or more examples, the transmit signals can not only be transmitted simultaneously from each transmitter in network, but the transmit signals can also be sent at the same frequency and/or using the same modulation scheme.
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systemsAnalogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
G01S 13/66 - Radar-tracking systemsAnalogous systems
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01S 13/933 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of aircraft or spacecraft
14.
Systems and methods for managing radio frequency spectrum in ground to aerial vehicle communications
Disclosed herein is a terrestrial to air communications network that can be configured to include a spectrum management system that deterministically allocates spectrum to aircraft for use during flight. In one or more examples, a user transmits a flight plan to a spectrum management system that is configured to manage the RF spectrum in a given air space. In one or more examples, and based on the received flight plan, the spectrum management system can allocate an RF spectrum frequency “slot” (i.e., timeslot, subchannel, or resource block) for the aircraft to use during its intended flight. The spectrum management system can take into account available spectrum as well as the predicted network traffic and their spectrum allocations to determine an RF spectrum slot that can provide a stable and continuous communications channel to the aircraft during its flight.
Described herein are systems and methods for assigning and managing RF communication links between ground-based stations and airborne assets. In one or more examples, a pilot or other user of the systems and methods described herein can generate and transmit a flight plan to a spectrum management system. Additionally, or alternatively, the pilot or use can also transmit additional information to the spectrum management system such as the type of aircraft/radio configuration that they will be using during a flight, and a request for a certain amount of data throughput that they want to have access to during the flight. In one or more examples, upon receiving the flight plan and/or information from the pilot, the spectrum management system can proceed to match the user's desired flight plan with one or more RF spectrum resources for the airborne radio of the pilot's UAV to use during their planned flight.
Described herein are systems and methods for assigning and managing RF communication links between ground-based stations and airborne assets. In one or more examples, a pilot or other user of the systems and methods described herein can generate and transmit a flight plan to a spectrum management system. Additionally, or alternatively, the pilot or use can also transmit additional information to the spectrum management system such as the type of aircraft/radio configuration that they will be using during a flight, and a request for a certain amount of data throughput that they want to have access to during the flight. In one or more examples, upon receiving the flight plan and/or information from the pilot, the spectrum management system can proceed to match the user's desired flight plan with one or more RF spectrum resources for the airborne radio of the pilot's UAV to use during their planned flight.
Provided herein are systems and methods for implementing air traffic control (ATC) voice communications over a digital aviation network, which allows one or more pilots on the ground to communicate with ATC controllers while piloting a UAS transiting the airspace of a particular ATC voice station. In one or more examples, a spectrum management system (or the ATC voice controller using information received from the spectrum management system) may designate a relay aircraft to relay very high frequency (VHF) ATC voice to operators/pilots on the aviation network. In one or more examples, upon initiation of voice communications by ATC to all UAS and other aircraft in a VHF service area or sector, the ATC analog voice message may be received by a VHF radio on the relay aircraft. In one or more examples, the relay aircraft may then relay the digital message to the ATC voice processor and/or base station.
Provided herein are systems and methods for implementing air traffic control (ATC) voice communications over a digital aviation network, which allows one or more pilots on the ground to communicate with ATC controllers while piloting a UAS transiting the airspace of a particular ATC voice station. In one or more examples, a spectrum management system (or the ATC voice controller using information received from the spectrum management system) may designate a relay aircraft to relay very high frequency (VHF) ATC voice to operators/pilots on the aviation network. In one or more examples, upon initiation of voice communications by ATC to all UAS and other aircraft in a VHF service area or sector, the ATC analog voice message may be received by a VHF radio on the relay aircraft. In one or more examples, the relay aircraft may then relay the digital message to the ATC voice processor and/or base station.
Providing private, dedicated, reliable and secure real time electronic communications via wireless and digital communications networks for use with drones, manned and unmanned aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and related ground stations; and electronic streaming and transmission of audio and data for use with drones and with manned and unmanned aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for others via wireless and digital communications networks
21.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FLIGHT PLAN SPECIFIC DISTRIBUTED LEDGER BASED AVIATION DATA LINK SECURITY
Presented herein are systems and methods for operating a flight plan based distributed ledger system implemented on an aviation communications network. According to an aspect, data associated with communication transmissions occurring between communications elements of the aviation communications network may be recorded on the distributed ledger system. The communications elements involved in the distributed ledger system may be determined using a received flight plan. The flight plan information may be used to initialize the ledger information at each communications element involved in the distributed ledger system. The distributed ledger system may be updated to add or remove communications elements if the flight deviates from the original flight plan. After the flight plan is executed, the distributed ledger system may inactivate the ledger and store the ledger information in a centralized repository.
Presented herein are systems and methods for operating a flight plan based distributed ledger system implemented on an aviation communications network. According to an aspect, data associated with communication transmissions occurring between communications elements of the aviation communications network may be recorded on the distributed ledger system. The communications elements involved in the distributed ledger system may be determined using a received flight plan. The flight plan information may be used to initialize the ledger information at each communications element involved in the distributed ledger system. The distributed ledger system may be updated to add or remove communications elements if the flight deviates from the original flight plan. After the flight plan is executed, the distributed ledger system may inactivate the ledger and store the ledger information in a centralized repository.
G08G 5/34 - Flight plan management for flight plan modification
G08G 5/26 - Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft and ground stations
H04L 9/00 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
23.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FLIGHT PLAN INITIATED BEAM/NULL FORMING ANTENNA CONTROL
Presented herein are system and methods for implementing a flight plan initiated beam/null forming antenna. According to an aspect, a terrestrial (i.e., ground) to air communications network can include a beam/null steering antenna that can be configured to operate in conjunction with a spectrum management system to provide one or more communications links between an airborne radio and a ground-based operator. The beam/null steering antenna can also receive the flight plans of aircraft using the system from the spectrum management system. In one or more examples, the beam/null steering antenna can use the flight plan information provided the spectrum management system to determine if a signal received at the antenna is a known desired signal, a known undesired signal, or an unknown undesired signal. In one or more examples the antenna can be configured to direct a beam or null at a particular signal based on the determination.
Presented herein are system and methods for implementing a flight plan initiated beam/null forming antenna. According to an aspect, a terrestrial (i.e., ground) to air communications network can include a beam/null steering antenna that can be configured to operate in conjunction with a spectrum management system to provide one or more communications links between an airborne radio and a ground-based operator. The beam/null steering antenna can also receive the flight plans of aircraft using the system from the spectrum management system. In one or more examples, the beam/null steering antenna can use the flight plan information provided the spectrum management system to determine if a signal received at the antenna is a known desired signal, a known undesired signal, or an unknown undesired signal. In one or more examples the antenna can be configured to direct a beam or null at a particular signal based on the determination.
Presented herein are system and methods for implementing a flight plan initiated beam/null forming antenna. According to an aspect, a terrestrial (i.e., ground) to air communications network can include a beam/null steering antenna that can be configured to operate in conjunction with a spectrum management system to provide one or more communications links between an airborne radio and a ground-based operator. The beam/null steering antenna can also receive the flight plans of aircraft using the system from the spectrum management system. In one or more examples, the beam/null steering antenna can use the flight plan information provided the spectrum management system to determine if a signal received at the antenna is a known desired signal, a known undesired signal, or an unknown undesired signal. In one or more examples the antenna can be configured to direct a beam or null at a particular signal based on the determination.
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
26.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IN GROUND TO AERIAL VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS
Disclosed herein is a terrestrial to air communications network that can be configured to include a spectrum management system that deterministically allocates spectrum to aircraft for use during flight. In one or more examples, a user transmits a flight plan to a spectrum management system that is configured to manage the RF spectrum in a given air space. In one or more examples, and based on the received flight plan, the spectrum management system can allocate an RF spectrum frequency "slot" (i.e., timeslot, subchannel, or resource block) for the aircraft to use during its intended flight. The spectrum management system can take into account available spectrum as well as the predicted network traffic and their spectrum allocations to determine an RF spectrum slot that can provide a stable and continuous communications channel to the aircraft during its flight.
Disclosed herein is a terrestrial to air communications network that can be configured to include a spectrum management system that deterministically allocates spectrum to aircraft for use during flight. In one or more examples, a user transmits a flight plan to a spectrum management system that is configured to manage the RF spectrum in a given air space. In one or more examples, and based on the received flight plan, the spectrum management system can allocate an RF spectrum frequency "slot" (i.e., timeslot, subchannel, or resource block) for the aircraft to use during its intended flight. The spectrum management system can take into account available spectrum as well as the predicted network traffic and their spectrum allocations to determine an RF spectrum slot that can provide a stable and continuous communications channel to the aircraft during its flight.
Disclosed herein is a terrestrial to air communications network that can be configured to include a spectrum management system that deterministically allocates spectrum to aircraft for use during flight. In one or more examples, a user transmits a flight plan to a spectrum management system that is configured to manage the RF spectrum in a given air space. In one or more examples, and based on the received flight plan, the spectrum management system can allocate an RF spectrum frequency “slot” (i.e., timeslot, subchannel, or resource block) for the aircraft to use during its intended flight. The spectrum management system can take into account available spectrum as well as the predicted network traffic and their spectrum allocations to determine an RF spectrum slot that can provide a stable and continuous communications channel to the aircraft during its flight.
Telecommunication services, namely, transmission and transfer of data via wireless networks with manned and unmanned aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones; providing transmission and delivery of air-to ground wireless communications for the purpose of enabling voice, data and navigation capabilities for the aviation community; transmission of voice and data in the field of aeronautical telecommunications in connection with aerial networks comprised of drones, manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and related ground stations; transmission and delivery of wireless communications with drones and manned aircraft unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); communication services, namely, transmission of data, voice, audio, visual images, and control signals via telecommunications networks, wireless networks, data network, aerial networks, the Internet, and other global communications networks, with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones; and electronic transmission of data for the remote electronic tracking, control and monitoring of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
