AU2019312471B2 - Arrangement and method for wireless data transfer - Google Patents
Arrangement and method for wireless data transfer Download PDFInfo
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- AU2019312471B2 AU2019312471B2 AU2019312471A AU2019312471A AU2019312471B2 AU 2019312471 B2 AU2019312471 B2 AU 2019312471B2 AU 2019312471 A AU2019312471 A AU 2019312471A AU 2019312471 A AU2019312471 A AU 2019312471A AU 2019312471 B2 AU2019312471 B2 AU 2019312471B2
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/14—Relay systems
- H04B7/15—Active relay systems
- H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
- H04B7/18502—Airborne stations
- H04B7/18504—Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
- B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
- B63G2008/005—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned remotely controlled
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- Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
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- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for transmitting data between a manned base station (8) and a surface device (29). The arrangement comprises the manned base station (8) having a base station communication unit (9), an underwater apparatus (1), the surface device (29) which has a surface communication unit (33), and an aircraft (2) which has an aircraft communication unit (27). A wireless base station-aircraft data connection (DV.1) is established between the base station communication unit (9) and the aircraft communication unit (27). A wireless aircraft-surface data connection (DV.2) is established between the aircraft communication unit (27) and the surface communication unit (33). There is an underwater data connection (10, 18) between the surface device (29) and the submerged underwater apparatus (1).
Description
Arrangement and method for wireless data transmission
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for transmitting data between a manned base station and a surface device.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 of patent document DE 102012006566 Al shows an arrangement for detecting sea mines. An autonomous underwater vehicle 1 is connected via an optical waveguide to a carrier platform in the form of a similarly unmanned surface vehicle 3. A radio link is established via a radio antenna 7 on board the surface vehicle 3 with a radio antenna 9 on board the manned seagoing ship 8. The two vehicles 1, 3 are moving along in front of the seagoing ship 8. The underwater vehicle 1 transmits information to the surface vehicle 3. A person on board the seagoing ship 8 receives and evaluates this information. Following a corresponding command from this person, the surface vehicle 3 activates a drone 19 which destroys a sea mine 10. In one design, a helicopter 31 picks up the surface vehicle 3 along with two underwater vehicles 1, 1a and the drone 19 and transports them to a deployment location.
Patent document GB 2366111 B describes how a device is monitored on the high seas. The device is intended to be set up and monitored with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and an autonomous underwater vehicle. The vehicle (ROV) is controlled from a spatially distant base station. Figure 1 shows a remotely operated vehicle 10, a tether management system 12, a drone 14 and a base station 60. Signals from video cameras ?5 16 on board the remotely operated vehicle 10 are transmitted via a coaxial cable to the tether management system 12. A first driver 24 receives the signals from the video cameras 16, a second driver 32 receives signals from a video camera 28 on board the tether management system 12. The signals from the drivers 24 and 32 are forwarded via a further line (umbilical line 40) to the drone 14. This drone 14 processes the signals, e.g. in a video compressor, multiplexer and encoder 48 and forwards them wirelessly via an antenna 58 to the base station 60.
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Figure 4 of patent document GB 2538269 A shows an arrangement which connects a warship base station wirelessly to a base station on land (over-the-horizon unmanned surface vehicle remote station). A communication unit (4691/TVWS radio/modem/router) of the warship base station exchanges data wirelessly with a communication unit (4691/TVWS radio/modem/router) of the base station. Since a direct data connection is not possible, the data are forwarded via a communication unit (unmanned aerial vehicle relay remote station) on board an aircraft (UAV).
Patent publication WO 2017142520 Al describes how a land vehicle 100 which has suffered an accident, is located so that occupants can be rescued or at least recovered. A passenger 100, for example, has driven into a lake and is located below the water surface. Following the accident, a hatch 108 opens and a drone 102 and buoy 104 float to the water surface. The buoy 104 transmits wirelessly via a buoy transceiver 110 to the drone 102. The drone 102 transmits data to a satellite 114 or to a communication tower 116.
Finally, patent document DE 102004062123 B3 describes a method by means of which a submerged submarine 11 transmits a message to a helicopter 12 by means of a buoy 13. The helicopter 12 comprises a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. In one scenario, the submarine 11 feeds a message via an interface 141 into a recorder 14 of the buoy 13. The submarine 11 ejects the buoy 13. The buoy 13 rises to the sea surface 22 and an antenna 18 of the buoy 13 protrudes beyond the sea surface 22. The submarine 11 moves away. After a sufficiently long time period has elapsed, the ?5 surfaced buoy 13 transmits an encrypted and coded message. The helicopter 12 receives, decrypts and decodes the message. In an alternative scenario, the helicopter 12 transmits a signal to the buoy 13 and receives the message in response thereto. It is also possible for the helicopter 12 to transmit a message to the submarine 11 by means of a 13'. The helicopter 12 casts the buoy 13'with the message into the water. The submarine 11 releases an unmanned underwater vehicle 23 which collects the buoy 13 and/or the buoy 13'and takes it/them to the submarine 11.
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The above references to prior art publications is not intended to nor does it constitute an admission that the publications form part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or any other country.
It would be advantageous to provide a system comprising a manned base station, an unmanned underwater device and a surface device, all of which have respective communication units, in which a wireless data connection can be set up in at least one direction between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit even under deployment conditions in which conventional arrangements and methods are incapable of doing so.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a system or arrangement which comprises a manned base station, an unmanned underwater device, an overwater (or surface) device having its own propulsion unit, and an aircraft. The underwater device is designed (i.e. configured) to be deployed at least temporarily submerged. The surface device is designed to be deployed above water. The base station comprises a base station communication unit. The surface device comprises a surface communication unit. The aircraft comprises an aircraft communication unit.
The respective communication units are configured to set up the following data connections. A wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection is set up at least ?5 temporarily between the base station communication unit and the aircraft communication unit. A wireless vehicle-to-surface data connection is further set up at least temporarily between the aircraft communication unit and the surface communication unit. Thanks to these two data connections, data can be transmitted wirelessly in at least one direction between the base station and the surface device.
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An underwater data connection is further set up at least temporarily between the surface device and the submerged unmanned underwater device. Data can be transmitted underwater in at least one direction via this underwater data connection.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating communications within an arrangement / system comprising a manned base station with a communication unit, a submerged unmanned underwater device and an aircraft having its communications unit, involving an intermediary surface device having its own communications unit The method comprises the following steps: - A wireless data connection is set up at least temporarily between the base station communication unit and the surface device communication unit via the aircraft communications unit. - That is, on the one hand, a wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection is set up at least temporarily between the base station communication unit and the aircraft communication unit. On the other hand, a wireless aircraft-to-surface data connection is set up at least temporarily between the aircraft communication unit and the surface communication unit. - Data are transmitted wirelessly through the air in at least one direction via the set up wireless data connection. - An underwater data connection is set up at least temporarily between the surface communication unit and the submerged unmanned underwater device. - Data are transmitted underwater in at least one direction via the set up underwater data connection. - The aircraft remains at least temporarily so close to the surface device that the wireless aircraft to surface data connection is established between the respective communication units.
Thanks to the invention, it becomes possible for an unmanned underwater device to be operated in an area that is dangerous to humans. The manned base station is sufficiently far away from this dangerous area. The aircraft can also be unmanned, so that no humans on board the aircraft are endangered. It is possible, but, thanks to the
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU wireless data connections according to the invention, not essential for the aircraft to precisely follow the route travelled by the unmanned underwater device and/or the movement of the surface device. It is sufficient for the aircraft to remain at least temporarily so close to the surface device that the aircraft-to-surface data connection can be set up and can be maintained.
The submerged unmanned underwater device can transmit data to the manned base station via the surface device and via the unmanned aircraft and/or can receive data from the base station without having to surface. In many situations, particularly if the underwater device has descended into a greater depth of water, a wired data connection cannot be set up at all between the base station and the unmanned underwater device, and, thanks to the invention, is also not required.
Thanks to the invention, a distance between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit can at least temporarily be so great that a direct wireless data connection cannot be set up at all, or cannot be set up with an adequate data transmission rate and/or with an adequate transmission quality. The aircraft communication unit of the aircraft acts as a type of relay station between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit. Thanks to the relay station, a significantly greater distance can be bridged which can be so great that a direct data transmission would not be possible.
According to the solution, the relay station, i.e. the aircraft communication unit, is disposed on board an aircraft. The aircraft can be positioned vertically or obliquely ?5 above an object which is located in the direct path between the base station and the surface device and can therefore hinder or even totally prevent a direct data transmission. An object of this type is, for example, a cliff, a tall building or a wave movement on the high seas. The aircraft can quickly change its position during ongoing operation, for example in order to find an optimum position as a relay station.
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Thanks to the invention, it becomes possible to transmit data between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit even if these two communication units cannot operate according to a common data transmission method. Data can be transmitted even if these two communication units operate according to different data transmission methods. The aircraft communication unit can be designed so that it can operate according to both data transmission methods and so that data which are transmitted to the aircraft communication unit using a first data transmission method are forwarded by the aircraft communication unit using a second data transmission method. In some applications, a wireless data connection between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit is actually enabled in the first place as a result. Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to modify the base station communication unit or the surface communication unit in order to be able to transmit data.
Thanks to the invention, the transmission channel between the submerged unmanned underwater device and the base station is subdivided into three individual transmission channels, i.e.: - an underwater transmission channel between a communication unit of the unmanned underwater device and the surface communication unit, o - a first wireless transmission channel (aircraft-to-surface data connection) between the surface communication unit and the aircraft communication unit, and - a second wireless transmission channel (base-station-to-aircraft data connection) between the aircraft communication unit and the base station communication unit.
?5 This division among three transmission channels enables a respectively well-suited data transmission method with suitable parameters to be selected and used for each data transmission channel. For example, the underwater transmission channel and the first wireless transmission channel (aircraft-to-surface data connection) in each case bridge a significantly shorter distance than the second wireless transmission channel (base-station-to-aircraft data connection), because the aircraft, the surface device and the unmanned underwater device are located in an area that is dangerous to humans,
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU whereas the manned base station is disposed in a safe area and a sufficiently great distance exists between the dangerous area and the safe area. It furthermore becomes possible to modify a transmission method or a parameter of the transmission method as required in ongoing operation without having to make any modifications to the other two transmission channels.
The manned base station can be located e.g. on land or on board a manned surface ship or submarine or on board a stationary manned platform, for example a drilling platform, on the water.
As noted, the underwater device is an unmanned underwater vehicle having its own drive, or an unmanned device which is towed or otherwise transported by a different vehicle to a deployment location. The underwater device is designed, for example, to detect, locate, classify or inspect and/or, in the case of explosive ordnance, neutralize objects underwater.
The surface device can be floatable on the water or can be a stationary platform on the water which is supported on the floor of the body of water or on an object on or above the water surface, for example a drilling platform which stands on the floor of a body of water, or a surface device on a bridge above a body of water. The surface device will have its own drive, but may preferably be unmanned.
The aircraft can be manned or unmanned and can be designed e.g. as an unmanned drone or as a helicopter, quadcopter, aircraft or airship or balloon.
In one design, the base-station-to-aircraft data connection and the aircraft-to-surface data connection are set up only while the aircraft is located in the air. In another design, at least one of these two data connections is already set up before the aircraft takes off from the ground.
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In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the following three data connections is a bidirectional data connection, i.e. is capable of transmitting data in both directions: - the wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection, - the wireless aircraft-to-surface data connection, or - the underwater data connection.
In one design, the underwater data connection between the surface device and the submerged unmanned underwater device is similarly a wireless data connection. In another design, the underwater data connection is set up by means of a cable. Or this underwater data connection can be set up by means of a cable. The underwater data connection can also be used to transmit electrical or kinetic energy or, for example, to fire an ignition mechanism of a clearing device.
Larger data volumes can be transmitted with greater security via a cable compared with a wireless data transmission underwater. There is less risk that the position of the submerged unmanned underwater device can be measured on the basis of the data transmission, which is often undesirable.
In one design, different data transmission methods are used. The base station communication unit is capable of transmitting and/or receiving data according to a base station data transmission method. The surface communication unit is capable of transmitting and/or receiving data according to a surface data transmission method. In one embodiment, the vehicle communication unit is capable of both receiving data according to the base station data transmission method and transmitting data ?5 according to the surface data transmission method. In another embodiment, the aircraft communication unit is capable of both receiving data according to the surface data transmission method and transmitting data according to the base station data transmission method. These two embodiments can be combined.
This design enables automatic switchover in ongoing operation from one data transmission method to another data transmission method. This switchover can
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU guarantee a higher data transmission rate, for example if a large data volume is to be transmitted for a short period, for example sonar data or video data in real time, or if ambient conditions, for example atmospheric conditions, change. The switchover does not affect the entire transmission channel between the base station and the surface device, but only a transmission channel to the aircraft.
This design further enables data to be exchanged between the base station and the surface device, even if these two devices do not have a common transmission protocol. The aircraft communication unit is preferably capable of converting messages from one transmission protocol into another transmission protocol.
In one design, data are always transmitted between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit via the aircraft communication unit, i.e. via the two wireless data connections. In another design, a direct data connection exists temporarily so that data can at least temporarily be transmitted directly between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit, i.e. not via the aircraft communication unit. The aircraft communication unit is required only if the direct data connection is not possible.
O This design enables the use of a direct transmission channel between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit as long as data can actually be transmitted via this direct transmission channel and the data transmission rate and data quality are sufficiently high. According to the design, the aircraft communication unit is deployed, i.e. used as a relay station as soon as and as long as this is no longer ?5 the case. This design enables the advantages of the direct transmission channel to be exploited as long as said transmission channel is available with sufficient quality, for example with shorter transit delays and, in some applications, a higher data transmission rate. It is possible for the aircraft to begin its deployment as a relay station after the direct transmission channel is already set up. As a result, the aircraft does not need to be available during the entire data communication between the base station
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU and surface device, but only as soon as and as long as the direct transmission channel is not available.
In one design, the aircraft communication unit comprises a data memory. Thanks to this data memory, the aircraft communication unit is capable of temporarily storing received data. In one embodiment, the aircraft communication unit is thus capable of storing data which it has received via the base-station-to-aircraft data connection until the aircraft-to-surface data connection enables the transmission of data. In another design, it is capable of storing the data which it has received via the aircraft-to-surface O data connection until the base-station-to-aircraft data connection enables the transmission of data. These two designs can be combined.
In one design, the surface device is capable of floating in the water. It is, for example, a buoy. The unmanned underwater device is capable of carrying the surface device on board, preferably even during a dive. The unmanned underwater device is further capable of releasing the transported surface device in the water, for example during a dive. The released surface device preferably floats to the water surface while the unmanned underwater device remains submerged and stays in contact with the emerged surface device via the underwater data connection.
This design enables the unmanned underwater device to transport the surface device to a deployment location, for example inside a pressure vessel of the unmanned underwater device. During this transportation, the surface device is protected against external influences. It is also possible for a surface vehicle to transport the unmanned ?5 underwater device along with the surface device. The surface device does not need to have its own drive in order to be transported to the deployment location. At a deployment location, the unmanned underwater device releases the surface device, for example while the unmanned underwater device is submerged. As a result, the unmanned underwater device is not exposed to a danger on the surface. The surface device acts, in a manner of speaking, as a "mouth" or "ear" of the submerged unmanned underwater device.
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Conversely, in one design, the surface device is capable of carrying the unmanned underwater device. The surface device is capable of setting the transported unmanned underwater device down onto the water. This design can also be used for a surface device without its own drive, even for a surface device which is supported on the floor of a body of water, for example a drilling platform. The unmanned underwater device inspects, for example, a component of the stationary surface device located underwater. It is also possible for the surface device to transport the aircraft and for the aircraft to ascend from the surface device before or during the transmission of data. O It is possible for the surface device to transport both the unmanned underwater device and the aircraft.
In one design, the base station communication unit is capable of generating a command for the unmanned underwater device. It has not already happened, the wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection and the wireless aircraft-to-surface data connection are now set up. The base station communication unit transmits the command to the aircraft communication unit. The aircraft communication unit transmits the received command to the surface communication unit. The communication unit forwards the received command via the underwater data connection to the unmanned underwater device.
This design enables the base station to issue a command to the unmanned underwater device. The unmanned underwater device may already be submerged. Thanks to this design, the base station communication device does not issue the command directly ?5 to the unmanned underwater device, but to the aircraft communication unit instead. The aircraft communication unit can forward the command immediately or can store it temporarily, for example until forwarding is possible. The base station communication unit does not need to know the exact position of the surface device or that of the submerged unmanned underwater device.
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In one design, at least one sensor, for example a sonar system or an underwater camera, is installed on board the unmanned underwater device. The unmanned underwater device is capable of transmitting signals from this sensor via the underwater data connection to the surface communication unit. It has not already happened, the wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection and the wireless aircraft-to-surface data connection are set up following the generation of the sensor signal. The surface communication unit transmits the received sensor signal to the aircraft communication unit. The aircraft communication unit transmits the received sensor signal to the base station communication unit.
This design enables the unmanned underwater device to transmit signals from the sensor to the base station in ongoing operation. This design is particularly advantageous for unmanned underwater devices operating in an area dangerous to humans and which can be destroyed during the deployment, or if the unmanned underwater device cannot be successfully recovered following a deployment so that it is then not possible to read the data subsequently from a data memory on board the unmanned underwater device. Thanks to the aircraft communication unit which acts as a relay station, the signals from the sensor can be transmitted over a significantly greater distance to the base station. According to the solution, the sensor signals are transmitted via three individual transmission channels, as described above. The three transmission channels can be adapted according to the respective requirements and ambient conditions, which is particularly advantageous if a large volume of data is to be transmitted. This is often the case with sensor signals as the data to be transmitted. This design also enables the sensor signals to be deleted from a data memory of the ?5 unmanned underwater device following the transmission so that they cannot fall into the hands of an unauthorized party.
According to the solution, the aircraft acts as a data interface and/or a relay station between the base station and the surface device. In one design, this aircraft can additionally be used for transportation. The aircraft is capable of transporting the
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU unmanned underwater device and the surface device. It is further capable of setting the unmanned underwater device and the surface device down onto the water.
This design enables the same aircraft to be used successively for at least two tasks: on the one hand, the aircraft transports the unmanned underwater device and the surface device to a deployment location and sets the transported devices down there onto the water. This transportation via aircraft normally requires significantly less time than if the unmanned underwater device travels on or under the water to the deployment location or is transported or towed there by a surface vehicle. The unmanned underwater device and the surface device can be designed without their own drive. On the other hand, the communication unit on board the aircraft acts as a relay station between the two communication units, i.e. between those of the surface device and those of the base station. Since the aircraft is already at the deployment location where it has set down the unmanned underwater device, the aircraft can normally resume its work as a relay station immediately or after only a short flight. The aircraft can additionally be deployed for a third task, for example for producing images and transmitting them to the base station via the base-station-to-aircraft data connection.
O The arrangement according to the invention is described in detail below with reference to an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ?5 Fig. 1 shows a base station embodied as a manned surface ship and a surface device embodied as a buoy which is connected to a manned submarine; Fig. 2 shows a first application of the invention in which the base station is the manned surface ship from Fig. 1 and the surface device is an unmanned surface ship which is connected to an unmanned underwater vehicle;
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Fig. 3 shows a second application of the invention in which the base station is the manned surface ship from Fig. 1 and the surface device is a buoy which is connected to an unmanned underwater vehicle to destroy a sea mine; Fig. 4 shows a third application of the invention in which the base station is the manned surface ship from Fig. 1 and the surface device is a buoy which is connected to an unmanned clearing device for destroying a sea mine; and Fig. 5 is a comparative example in which the base station is a manned platform on land and the surface device and the submarine are those shown in Fig. 1.
5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 show an application for comparative purposes vis a vis the embodiments of the invention shown in figures 2, 3 and 4. A data connection is intended to be set up and maintained between a manned surface ship 8 (Fig. 1) or a manned stationary land station 15 (Fig. 5) and a manned submarine 14 submerged below the water surface WO. The surface ship 8 and the land station 15 act as a manned base station and have a radio antenna 9 and 25 respectively. The surface ship 8 moves in the direction of travel FR over the water surface WO. It is also possible for the surface ship 8 not to have its own drive. The surface ship 8 is capable of receiving and transmitting messages wirelessly by means of the radio antenna 9. The land station 15 is correspondingly capable of receiving and transmitting messages wirelessly by means of the radio antenna 25.
The submerged submarine 14 has released a buoy 29 into the water. This buoy 29 acts as the surface device and has a float part 11 and a data processing converter 12. ?5 A radio antenna 33 is mounted on the float part 11. The converter 12 remains underwater and is connected via a signal cable 10 to the submerged submarine 14 and via a further signal cable 18 to the float part 11. The radio antenna 33 is capable, on the one hand, of receiving messages wirelessly and transmitting them via the acoustic part 12 and the signal cables 18 and 10 to the submerged submarine 14. On the other hand, the submarine 14 is capable of transmitting messages wirelessly via the radio antenna 33. Thanks to the buoy 29, the submerged submarine 14 is capable
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU of receiving and transmitting messages without having to transmit these messages wirelessly itself. The buoy 29 acts, as it were, as an underwater speaking tube for the submarine 14.
Fig. 2 shows a first application of the invention. The arrangement from Fig. 2 is used to locate and/or destroy sea mines. The manned surface ship 8 is the surface ship from Fig. 1. A wireless data connection exists between this surface ship 8 and an unmanned surface ship 3 which acts as the surface device. The unmanned surface ship 3 comprises its own drive 13, a control unit 6, a radio antenna 7 and an accommodation facility 60. The surface vehicle 3 is capable of transmitting and receiving messages wirelessly by means of the radio antenna 7. The surface vehicle 3 is capable of carrying an unmanned underwater vehicle 1 on the accommodation facility 60. The surface vehicle 3 further carries a plurality of underwater drones 19.
In the situation shown in Fig. 2, an unmanned underwater vehicle 1 has already been released into the water. A control device 4 of the unmanned underwater vehicle 1 is connected via a cable 5 in the form of an optical waveguide to the control device 6 of the unmanned surface vehicle 3. In one design, the control device 4 comprises a detection device 20, a classification device 21 and an identification device 22, and has read access to a database 16 in which the shapes of different sea mines are stored. The unmanned underwater vehicle 1 further comprises a sonar device 35 which is mounted on the bow of the unmanned underwater vehicle 1 and also, in one design, an underwater camera (not shown). In another design, the detection device 20, the classification device 21, the identification device 22 and the database 16 are disposed ?5 on board the unmanned surface vehicle 3 or the manned surface ship 8 or are distributed between them.
The unmanned underwater vehicle 1 detects sea mines in the water or in or on the seabed Mb as follows: the sonar device 35 produces location data 34, for example acoustic images of the environment. The underwater camera produces optical images of the environment. The detection device 20 evaluates the location data 34 and detects
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU suspicious objects. The classification device 21 compares the suspicious objects with the shapes of sea mines which are stored in the database 16, and classifies the suspicious objects. The identification device 22 identifies a classified object as a sea mine or as a different object.
The control device 4 transmits the identification results or the location data 34 and the optical images via the cable 5 to the control device 6 on the unmanned surface vehicle 3. The surface vehicle 3 transmits this result via the radio antenna 7 to the manned surface vehicle 8. A crew member checks the transmitted results. If the crew member confirms the result that a sea mine has been found, the crew member initiates a control command. This control command is transmitted by means of the radio antennas 9 and 7 to the control device 6. The control unit 6 initiates the steps of releasing an underwater drone 19 and, if possible, of distancing the unmanned underwater vehicle 1 from the discovered sea mine. The underwater drone 19 is guided to the sea mine and destroys it, for example by detonating it. The underwater drone 19 is normally destroyed here also.
Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a second and third application of the invention. The underwater drone 19 from Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 can be the same as the underwater drone from Fig. 2 or it may have been transported to the deployment location in a different way.
In the second application according to Fig. 3, the driven underwater drone 19 comprises an unmanned clearing device 40. In the third application according to Fig. 4, the underwater drone 19 is detachably connected to a clearing device 40. In the ?5 situation shown in Fig. 4, the underwater drone 19 has transported a clearing device 40 into proximity with a sea mine 26 and has set it down there. During the transportation, a retaining apparatus 41 of the clearing device 40 was attached to a projection 42 of the underwater drone 19. DE 102010033638 Al, for example, describes how such a releasable attachment of a clearing device 40 to an underwater drone 19 can be designed.
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In the second application according to Fig. 3, the underwater drone 19 has released a buoy 50 with a radio antenna 58, wherein the buoy 50 has risen to the water surface WO and acts as the surface device. In the fourth application according to Fig. 4, the clearing device 40 has released a buoy 30 with a radio antenna 38, wherein the buoy 30 has risen to the water surface WO and acts as the surface device. The underwater drone 19 or the clearing device 40 remains connected to the floating buoy 50 or 30 via a cable 53 or 32. The buoy 50 or 30 is capable of receiving and transmitting messages wirelessly. It is possible in the third application according to Fig. 4 also that the underwater drone 19 sets down a buoy 50 while it transports the clearing device 40.
The clearing device 40 carries at least one cavity charge 28 which is capable of having a targeted effect on the sea mine 26. By means of the retaining apparatus 41, the clearing device 40 is capable of automatically attaching itself to the sea mine 26 and then activating the cavity charge 28. The clearing device 40 normally releases the buoy 30 after the clearing device 40 has attached itself to the sea mine 26 and before it activates the cavity charge 28. The cavity charge 28 detonates the sea mine 26, wherein the clearing device 10 is also destroyed. In one design, the clearing device 40 is capable of transmitting the status message wirelessly via the buoy 30, indicating that it is now connected to the sea mine 26. Conversely, a crew member on board the surface ship 8 is capable of activating the cavity charge 28 wirelessly via the buoy 50, 30 and the cable 53, 32. If the sea mine 26 is actually detonated, the clearing device 40 is normally also destroyed. In the second application according to Fig. 3, the underwater drone 19 is normally also destroyed, whereas, in the third application according to Fig. 4, the underwater drone 19 is enabled to move away from the sea ?5 mine 26 before the sea mine 26 is detonated.
In one design, a command which activates an ignition mechanism on board the clearing device 40 is transmitted via the cable 53, 32 to the clearing device 40. In another design, the buoy 50, 30 is connected to the clearing device 40 via a shock tube, i.e. a tube which is filled with a type of gunpowder and carries a detonator on its lower end. A user fires this detonator via the buoy 30.
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
In all five applications, a great distance can exist between the base station (in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 the manned surface ship 8, in Fig. 5 the manned land station 15) and the surface device (in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 the buoy 29, in Fig. 2 the unmanned surface vehicle 3, in Fig. 3 the buoy 50, in Fig. 4 the buoy 30). This distance can be so great that a wireless data connection cannot be set up on a direct path. The direct path between the base station 8, 15 and the surface device 29, 3, 50, 30 can be blocked, for example due to the curvature of the earth, the wash of the waves or the obstacle 17 from Fig. 5. An unmanned aircraft is therefore deployed as a relay station between the base station 8, 15 and the surface device 29, 3, 50, 30. Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 show an unmanned helicopter (drone) as the aircraft 2.
The helicopter 2 has a radio antenna 27 with which the helicopter 2 can receive and transmit messages wirelessly. A first wireless data connection DV.1 is set up and maintained at least temporarily between the helicopter 2 and the base station 8, 15 thanks to this radio antenna 27. A second wireless data connection DV.2 is further set up and maintained at least temporarily between the helicopter 2 and the surface device 29, 3, 30, 16 thanks to this radio antenna 27. Both wireless data connections DV.1, DV.2 are bidirectional. On the one hand, the base station 8, 15 can transmit messages and, in particular, control commands via the data connection DV.1 and DV.2 to the surface device 29, 3, 50, 30. On the other hand, the base station 8, 15 can receive messages from the surface device 29, 3, 30, 16 and, in particular, sensor signals from the sonar device 37 of the submarine 14 or from the solar device 35 of the underwater camera of the unmanned underwater vehicle 1 or from the underwater drone 19 in real ?5 time. In one design, the clearing device 40 can also transmit signals. In another design, the clearing device 40 can only receive commands.
A data memory 39 is further present on board the helicopter 2. Messages are stored temporarily in the data memory 39 at least if the helicopter 2 has received these messages via a data connection DV.1 or DV.2 and cannot forward them immediately via the other data connection DV.2 or DV.1. Thanks to this design, the two data
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU connections DV.1 and DV.2 do not need to be set up simultaneously or in a temporally overlapping manner.
A protocol converter 43 on board the helicopter 2 is capable of converting messages from one transmission protocol into another transmission protocol. As a result, the communication unit of the base station and the communication unit of the surface device can use different transmission protocols without having to standardize them.
In one design, the unmanned helicopter 2 is additionally used to transport the unmanned underwater vehicle 1, 19 to a deployment location and to set it down there. The helicopter 2, for example, transports the unmanned underwater vehicle 1 to the unmanned surface vehicle 3 and sets it down on the accommodation facility 60, cf. Fig. 2. Alternatively, the helicopter 2 transports the underwater drone 19 with the clearing device 42 a deployment location and ejects it there.
In an additional use, a camera (not shown) is further mounted on board the helicopter 2. This camera is, for example, aimed downwards and produces optical images of the water surface. These images are transmitted via the wireless data connection DV.1 to the base station 8, 15.
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
Reference numbers 1 Unmanned underwater vehicle, connected by means of the optical waveguide 5 to the surface device 3, locates sea mines 2 Unmanned aircraft in the form of a helicopter, acts as a relay station between the manned base station 8, 15 and the surface device 29, 3, 50, 30 3 Unmanned surface vehicle, connected by means of the optical waveguide 5 to the underwater vehicle 1, comprises the radio antenna 7 4 Control device of the underwater vehicle 1, comprises the detection device 20, the classification device 21 and the identification device 22 5 Optical waveguide, connects the underwater vehicle 1 to the surface vehicle 3 6 Control unit of the surface vehicle 3 7 Radio antenna of the surface vehicle 3 8 Manned seagoing ship in the form of a minesweeper, comprises the radio antenna 9 9 Radio antenna of the seagoing ship 8 10 Signal cable which connects the submarine 14 to the converter 12 11 Float part of the buoy 29 12 Converter of the buoy 29, between the signal cables 10 and 18 13 Drive of the surface vehicle 3 14 Manned submarine, connected via the signal cable 10 to the buoy 29, comprises the sonar device 37 15 Manned base station, comprises the radio antenna 7 16 Database in which shapes of different sea mines are stored 17 Obstacle between the base station 15 and the land vehicle 16 18 Signal cable which holds the converter 12 on the float part 11 19 Underwater drone for destroying a sea mine, transported on board the surface vehicle 3 to the deployment location, in one design comprises the clearing device 40, in another design holds the clearing device 40 on the projection 42 20 Detection device, detects suspicious objects in the location data 34 21 Classification device, classifies suspicious objects
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
22 Identification device, identifies a classified object as a sea mine or as a different object 23 Camera of the land vehicle 16 24 Radio antenna of the land vehicle 16 25 Radio antenna of the base station 15 26 Sea mine on the seabed, is destroyed by the cavity charge 28 of the clearing device 40 27 Radio antenna of the helicopter 2 28 Cavity charge of the clearing device 40 29 Buoy, comprises the radio antenna 33, the acoustic part 12 and the float part 11 30 Buoy, comprises the radio antenna 38, is connected by means of the cable 32 to the clearing device 40 31 Helicopter which is capable of carrying the surface vehicle 3 32 Cable, connects the buoy 30 to the clearing device 40 33 Radio antenna of the buoy 29 34 Location data, captured by the underwater vehicle 1 35 Sonar device of the underwater vehicle 1 36 Unmanned land vehicle, comprises the camera 23 and the radio antenna 24 37 Sonar device of the submarine 14 38 Radio antenna of the buoy 30 39 Data memory on board the aircraft 2, is capable of temporarily storing messages 40 Clearing device for destroying a sea mine 26, comprises a cavity charge 40, forms part of the underwater drone 19 or is transported by the underwater drone 19 to a deployment location 41 Retaining apparatus on the clearing device 40, can be connected to the projection 42 42 Projection on the underwater drone 19, is capable of holding the retaining apparatus 41 of the clearing device 40
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
43 Protocol converter on board the helicopter 2, converts messages from one transmission protocol into another transmission protocol 50 Buoy, comprises the radio antenna 58, is connected by means of the cable 53 to the underwater drone 19 53 Cable, connects the underwater drone 19 to the buoy 50 60 Accommodation facility of the surface vehicle 3 for the underwater vehicle 1 DV.1 Wireless data connection between the base station 8, 15 and the aircraft 2 DV.2 Wireless data connection between the unmanned vehicle 29, 3, 36 and the aircraft 2 FR Direction of travel (course) of the water vehicles 3 and 8 Mb Seabed WO Water surface
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
Claims (14)
1. An arrangement, comprising: - a manned base station; - an unmanned underwater device; and - an overwater, surface device having its own propulsion unit; wherein the base station comprises a base station communication unit and the surface device comprises a surface communication unit; wherein the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit are configured to establish an at least temporary wireless data connection via which data are transmittable through the air in at least one direction between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit; wherein the surface device and the submerged unmanned underwater device are configured to establish an at least temporary underwater data connection via which data are transmittable underwater in at least one direction between the surface device and the submerged unmanned underwater device; wherein the arrangement further comprises an aircraft having an aircraft communication unit, the aircraft communication unit and the base station communication unit configured to at least temporarily establish a wireless data o connection; wherein the wireless data connection between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit at least temporarily comprises - a wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection between the base station communication unit and the aircraft communication unit and - a wireless aircraft-to-surface data connection between the aircraft communication unit and the surface communication unit, such that data are transmittable in at least one direction via both wireless data connections.
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the two wireless data connections and/or the underwater data connection is a bidirectional data connection.
3. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the underwater data connection between the surface device and the submergible unmanned underwater device is provided through a cable.
4. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base station communication unit is configured to transmit and/or receive data according to a base station data transmission method; wherein the surface communication unit is configured to transmit and/or receive data according to a surface data transmission method; wherein these two data transmission methods differ from one another; and wherein the aircraft communication unit is configured: - to receive data according to the base station data transmission method and to transmit received data according to the surface data transmission method, and/or - to receive data according to the surface data transmission method and to transmit received data according to the base station data transmission method.
5. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the data transmission via the two wireless data connections, and wherein the base station and surface device communication units are further configured to at least temporarily establish a direct data connection between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit.
6. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aircraft communication unit is configured to store data received via the base-station-to-aircraft data connection at least until the aircraft-to-surface data
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU connection enables the transmission of data, and/or to store data received via the aircraft-to-surface data connection at least until the base-station-to-aircraft data connection enables the transmission of data.
7. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface device is floatable in the water; and wherein the unmanned underwater and surface devices are configured such that the surface device is transportable on board of the unmanned underwater device and the transported surface device is releasable in the water.
8. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface and unmanned underwater devices are configured to enable the surface device to carry the unmanned underwater device and to set the carried unmanned underwater device down onto the water.
9. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement is configured in such a way that the aircraft is capable of transporting the unmanned underwater device and the surface device and to set them down on the water.
10. A method for data transmission between a manned base station having a base station communication unit and a submerged unmanned underwater device using an intermediary surface device having a surface communication unit and an aircraft having an aircraft communications unit, the method comprising the steps of: - at least temporarily setting up a wireless data connection between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit, - transmitting data through the air in at least one direction via the set-up wireless data connection,
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
- at least temporarily setting up an underwater data connection between the surface communication unit and the submerged unmanned underwater device, and - transmitting data underwater in at least one direction via the set-up underwater data connection, - using the aircraft communication unit for the wireless data transmission, - and wherein the step of at least temporarily setting up the wireless data connection comprises the steps of: - at least temporarily setting up a wireless base-station-to-aircraft data connection between the base station communication unit and the aircraft communication unit, and - flying the aircraft at least temporarily so close to the surface device that a wireless aircraft-to-surface data connection is set-up between the aircraft communication unit and the surface communication unit, wherein data are transmitted in at least one direction via these two wireless data connections.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of transmitting data via both wireless data connections comprises the steps wherein: the base station communication unit transmits and/or receives data according to a base station data transmission method, the surface communication unit transmits and/or receives data according to a surface data transmission method, wherein these two data transmission methods differ from one another, and wherein the step of transmitting data via the two wireless data connections comprises the steps wherein: the aircraft communication unit - receives data according to the base station data transmission method and transmits data according to the surface data transmission method, and/or - receives data according to the surface data transmission method and transmits data according to the base station data transmission method.
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
12. The method as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the step of at least temporarily setting up the wireless data connection between the base station communication unit and the surface communication unit comprises the automatically carried out steps wherein an attempt is made to set up the wireless data connection on a direct path, and if the direct data connection cannot be set up or the set up direct data connection does not meet a predefined criterion for a wireless data connection, - the base-station-to-aircraft data connection and the aircraft-to-surface data connection are set up, and - the data are transmitted via these two data connections.
13. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising the additional steps of - the base station communication unit generating a command for the unmanned underwater device, - the base station communication unit transmiting the generated command via the base-station-to-aircraft data connection to the aircraft communication unit, - the aircraft communication unit transmitting the command via the aircraft-to surface data connection to the surface communication unit, and - the surface communication unit transmitting the command via the underwater data connection to the submerged unmanned underwater device.
?5 14. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein at least one sensor is mounted on board the unmanned underwater device, and the method comprises the additional steps of - the submerged unmanned underwater device transmitting signals from the at least one sensor via the underwater data connection to the surface communication unit,
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
- the surface communication unit transmitting the sensor signals via the aircraft-to-surface data connection to the aircraft communication unit, and - the aircraft communication unit transmitting the sensor signals via the base station-to-aircraft data connection to the base station communication unit.
15. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, comprising the further steps of - the aircraft transporting the unmanned underwater device and the surface device and setting them down on the water, and - the aircraft-to-surface data connection and the underwater data connection being set up after the unmanned underwater device and the surface device are set down on the water.
17066529_1 (GHMatters) P114784.AU
39 43 2
DV.1 27 DV.2 9
33 1/5
11
29 18 8 12 FR WO 10
14 37 Fig. 1
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| DE102018212561.9 | 2018-07-27 | ||
| DE102018212561.9A DE102018212561A1 (en) | 2018-07-27 | 2018-07-27 | Arrangement and method for wireless data transmission |
| PCT/EP2019/069074 WO2020020695A1 (en) | 2018-07-27 | 2019-07-16 | Arrangement and method for wireless data transfer |
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| AU2019312471A1 AU2019312471A1 (en) | 2021-01-07 |
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| CN112615913B (en) * | 2020-12-09 | 2022-08-09 | 大连海事大学 | Information returning method for cooperation of unmanned aerial vehicle and unmanned ship for marine environment monitoring |
| CN112644647B (en) * | 2020-12-24 | 2023-01-06 | 上海海洋大学 | Method for carrying out investigation operation on deep Brillouin by adopting offshore flow laboratory system |
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| US6058071A (en) * | 1998-08-10 | 2000-05-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Magneto-inductive submarine communications system and buoy |
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| FR2659290B1 (en) * | 1990-03-06 | 1992-05-15 | Thomson Csf | SYSTEM FOR EXPLORING THE UNDERWATER SPACE WITH AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES. |
| GB2366111B (en) | 2000-08-04 | 2004-08-18 | Mentor Subsea Tech Serv Inc | Video telemetry apparatus for remotely operated vehicles |
| DE102004062123B3 (en) | 2004-12-23 | 2006-06-14 | Atlas Elektronik Gmbh | Message transmitting method e.g. for message between submarine and land or air based partner, involves conveying message to partner in suspendable sea-area or to sea-area buoy |
| GB0800508D0 (en) * | 2008-01-14 | 2010-04-14 | Rhodes Mark | System for communication between submerged vehicle and airborne vehicle |
| DE102010033638A1 (en) | 2010-08-06 | 2012-02-09 | Atlas Elektronik Gmbh | Combustion agent for clearing munitions, such as sea mines, under water, unmanned underwater vehicle with such ordnance and apparatus for this purpose |
| DE102011054496B4 (en) * | 2011-10-14 | 2018-06-28 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Data acquisition system and method |
| US9260168B2 (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2016-02-16 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Apparatus and method for neutralizing underwater mines |
| DE102012006566A1 (en) | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-02 | Atlas Elektronik Gmbh | Method of detecting sea mines and marine detection system |
| WO2015187743A1 (en) * | 2014-06-02 | 2015-12-10 | California Institute Of Technology | Controllable buoys and networked buoy systems |
| GB2538269A (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2016-11-16 | Bae Systems Plc | A communications system |
| WO2017142520A1 (en) | 2016-02-17 | 2017-08-24 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Accident identification and communication in vehicles |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6058071A (en) * | 1998-08-10 | 2000-05-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Magneto-inductive submarine communications system and buoy |
Also Published As
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| DE102018212561A1 (en) | 2020-01-30 |
| AU2019312471A1 (en) | 2021-01-07 |
| EP3830979A1 (en) | 2021-06-09 |
| WO2020020695A1 (en) | 2020-01-30 |
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