UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle for at least one of direction finding and spectrum monitoring includes a main body including at least one electronic circuit and at least one motor. The unmanned aerial vehicle also has at least one rotor associated with the motor. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes an outer housing surrounding the rotor partially, the outer housing including at least one antenna module configured to receive a radio signal.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle for at least one of direction finding and spectrum monitoring, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: a main body including at least one electronic circuit and at least one motor; at least one rotor associated with the motor; and an outer housing surrounding the rotor partially, the outer housing comprising at least one antenna module configured to receive a radio signal.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a processing circuit that is configured to process the radio signal received by the at least one antenna module.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the main body includes the processing circuit that is connected with the at least one antenna module in a signal-transmitting manner.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine at least one of a spectrum of the radio signal received and an originating direction of the radio signal received.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the processing circuit and the electronic circuit are connected with each other, and wherein the processing circuit is configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly in the originating direction of the radio signal received.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is larger than the main body.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotor has a shaft via which the rotor is connected with the motor located within the main body.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a shielding body located around the main body at least partly.

9. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the shielding body located around the main body at least partly also surrounds the rotor.

10. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna module is at least one of located on the outer housing and at least partly integrated within the outer housing.

11. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna module has a portion facing away from the rotor that is surrounded by the outer housing partially.

12. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna module is a compact direction finding antenna.

13. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is established by a dual propeller circular unmanned aerial vehicle.

14. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a first operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as a flying unmanned aerial vehicle.

15. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a second operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as a direction finder.

16. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to be operated as at least one of a flying direction finder and a stationary direction finder.

17. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a mounting interface configured to establish a releasable mounting connection.

18. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the antenna module is configured to rotate.

19. An unmanned aerial vehicle for at least one of direction finding and spectrum monitoring, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: a main body including at least one electronic circuit and at least one motor; a shielding body located around the main body at least partly; at least one rotor associated with the motor; and at least one antenna module configured to receive a radio signal.

20. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an outer housing surrounds the rotor partially.

21. An unmanned aerial vehicle for at least one of direction finding and spectrum monitoring, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a main body with a center, at least one rotor associated with the main body, and at least one antenna module configured to receive a radio signal, wherein the rotor has a rotational axis that coincidences with a center axis of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which runs through the center of the main body

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0058] FIG. 1 schematically shows a top view on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and

[0059] FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

[0061] In FIG. 1 an unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is shown that is used for direction finding and/or spectrum monitoring.

[0062] The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 comprises a main body 12 located at the center of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0063] The main body 12 comprises an electronic circuit 14 that is connected with a motor 16 that is also encompassed by the main body 12. The motor 16 is connected with a rotor 18 via its shaft 20 that is used to forward the torque generated by the motor 16 to the rotor 18. Hence, the rotor 18 is associated with the motor 16 accordingly. In the shown embodiment, the rotor 18 has three blades 21. The blades 21 extend from a coupling point of the rotor 18 with the shaft 20 radially outwards.

[0064] In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 comprises a shielding body 22 that is located around the main body 12 at least partially.

[0065] In the shown embodiment, the shielding body 22 surrounds the main body 12 in a circle cylindrical manner. This means that the shielding body 22 has two opposite axial ends that are open, whereas the shielding body 22 has a circle cylindrical shell surface that surrounds the main body 12 completely.

[0066] The shielding body 22 also surrounds the rotor 18 partially, namely in the circle cylindrical manner, that is larger than the main body 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0067] Generally, the shielding body 22 provides an electromagnetic protection as electromagnetic disturbances are shielded that may be caused by components associated with the main body 12 as will be described later in more detail.

[0068] Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 has an outer housing 24 that surrounds the rotor 18 partially.

[0069] In fact, an upper side and a lower side of the outer housing 24 are open, thereby establishing a tube-like housing.

[0070] Thus, the outer housing 24 protects the rotor 18 in a mechanical manner, particularly in radial direction.

[0071] In addition, the outer housing 24 also surrounds the shielding body 22 partially, as its diameter is larger than the one of the shielding body 22.

[0072] Thus, components associated with the outer housing 24 are shielded from the electronics of the main body 12, namely the electronic circuit 14 and the motor 16, e.g. the electronic motor.

[0073] Further, the components associated with the outer housing 24 are also shielded from any disturbances originating from the rotor 16, as the shielding body 22 also surrounds the rotor 18 partially.

[0074] In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 also comprises antenna modules 26 that are associated with the outer housing 24. In other words, the outer housing 24 comprises antenna modules 26 that are configured to receive a radio signal that is used for direction finding and/or spectrum monitoring.

[0075] The antenna modules 26 are connected with a processing circuit 28 that is assigned to the main body 12. Thus, the processing circuit 28 that is connected with the antenna module 26 in the signal-transmitting manner is also located at the center of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0076] The antenna module 26 converts the radio signal received into an electrical signal that is forwarded to the processing circuit 28 that analyzes or rather evaluates the radio signal received appropriately. Hence, the processing circuit 28 is generally configured to process the radio signal received by the at least one antenna module 26, thereby determining a spectrum of the radio signal received and/or an originating direction of the radio signal received.

[0077] The processing circuit 28 and the electronic circuit 14 are connected with each other, thereby establishing a communication connection between the respective circuits 14, 28. Thus, the processing circuit 28 is enabled to control the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to fly in the originating direction of the radio signal received by controlling the electronic circuit 14 appropriately.

[0078] In general, the antenna modules 26 may be located on the outer housing 24 and/or partially integrated within the outer housing 24.

[0079] Hence, a portion of the antenna modules 26 may face away from the rotor 18 that is surrounded by the outer housing 24 partially, namely in a radial direction. The respective portion may be used for receiving the radio signals from the environment of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10. However, the antenna modules 26 may also comprise portions that are integrated within the outer housing 24 such that these portions are protected in a mechanical manner.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna modules 26 may be located at least partly, particularly completely, on outer surfaces of the outer housing 24 that face radially outwards, e.g. facing away from the shielding body 22, the rotor 18 and/or the main body 12, thereby maximizing the electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0081] For instance, the antenna modules 26 may be established as compact direction finding antennas, thereby ensuring that the antenna modules 26 can be located on and/or in the outer housing 24. The compact direction finding antenna may relate to a very high frequency/ultra-high frequency (VHF/UHF) direction finding (DF) antenna.

[0082] Since the shielding body 22 is located around the main body 12 and the rotor 18, it is ensured that the antenna modules 26 are effectively shielded from any disturbances that may occur from the electronic equipment such as the circuits 14, 28 and from the rotor 18, particularly its rotational movement.

[0083] In general, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can be operated as a flying unmanned aerial vehicle in a first operation mode, e.g. without any direction finding functionality.

[0084] In a second operation mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is operated as a direction finder. Particularly, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is operated as a flying direction finder.

[0085] Alternatively, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is operated as a stationary direction finder. Thus, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can be mounted on a vehicle or a stand.

[0086] For this purpose, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may comprise a mounting interface 30 that is associated with the outer housing 24. The mounting interface 30 establishes a releasable mounting connection, for instance with a stand or rather a vehicle.

[0087] Furthermore, the antenna modules 26 may be configured to rotate, thereby creating an anti-torque. In fact, the outer housing 24 is rotated such that the antenna modules 26 associated with the outer housing 24 are rotated.

[0088] Hence, Doppler effects can be determined by rotating the at least one antenna module 26. The rotational speed of the antenna modules 26 can be controlled such that they spin quicker or slower. Hence, a regulation can be provided accordingly.

[0089] Moreover, FIG. 1 shows that the main body 12 has a center through which a center axis of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 runs. The center axis coincidences with a rotational axis of the at least one rotor 18. Accordingly, the rotor 18 is located in the center of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0090] Thus, all electronic components as well as the moving parts like the rotor 18 may be centered, whereas the components used for direction finding purposes, namely the antenna modules 26, are located outwards. This ensures that the influence of the respective components on each other are minimized as far as possible.

[0091] In FIG. 2, it is shown that the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is established as a dual propeller circular unmanned aerial vehicle, also called dual propeller circular drone or rather dual propeller ring-shaped drone.

[0092] In fact, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 comprises two rotors 18 that are located on opposite sides of the main body 12, particularly the center of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0093] Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows that the outer housing 24 as well as the shielding body 22 both are ring-shaped or rather circular cylindrical. Thus, the outer housing 24 as well as the shielding body 22 have open axial ends, but a circular cylindrical or rather ring-shaped shell surface.

[0094] Moreover, it is shown that the height, namely the axial length L, of the outer housing 24 is larger than the one of the shielding body 22 which in turn is larger than a core of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The core of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is established by the main body 12 and the rotor(s) 18 associated therewith.

[0095] The outer housing 24 surrounds the shielding body 22 partially, as the outer housing 24 has a larger diameter compared with the shielding body 22 that in turn surrounds the rotor(s) 18 and the main body 12 radially, thereby shielding the antenna modules 26 in an electromagnetic manner from the electronic components, e.g. the circuits 14, 28. Further, any disturbances caused by the rotor 18 are also shielded due to the shielding body 22 effectively.

[0096] Certain embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the respective module(s), utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement standards, protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used.

[0097] In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

[0098] In an embodiment, circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

[0099] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is equivalent to “A and/or B” or vice versa, namely “A” alone, “B” alone or “A and B.”. Similarly, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

[0100] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.