GB2082995A - Airborne Relay Station - Google Patents

Airborne Relay Station Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2082995A
GB2082995A GB8027687A GB8027687A GB2082995A GB 2082995 A GB2082995 A GB 2082995A GB 8027687 A GB8027687 A GB 8027687A GB 8027687 A GB8027687 A GB 8027687A GB 2082995 A GB2082995 A GB 2082995A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
signals
earth
airborne
power
relay station
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8027687A
Other versions
GB2082995B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB8027687A priority Critical patent/GB2082995B/en
Publication of GB2082995A publication Critical patent/GB2082995A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2082995B publication Critical patent/GB2082995B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64B—LIGHTER-THAN AIR AIRCRAFT
    • B64B1/00—Lighter-than-air aircraft
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C39/00—Aircraft not otherwise provided for
    • B64C39/06—Aircraft not otherwise provided for having disc- or ring-shaped wings
    • B64C39/066—Aircraft not otherwise provided for having disc- or ring-shaped wings having channel wings

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Radio Relay Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A lightweight airborne device which is adapted to maintain a position in the upper atmosphere, so as to act as a communication relay station. The power for maintaining the device in position is derived from the environment, e.g. by means of solar panels. The device may be lighter than air, or may have a dish-shaped wing 2 rotatable about a central hub 6 to generate lift. The wing may comprise metal or composite skins with foamed plastics filler having voids filled with a light gas. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Airborne Relay Station This invention relates to airborne devices, and particularly to airborne devices useful in communications systems of the type in which a communications device is positioned sufficiently high above the earth's surface to act as a relay station for signals emanating from, and directed to, large areas of the surface.
One known type of relay station which is used at present is the satellite. "Geo-stationary" satellites are particularly suitable for communications purposes because they remain approximately stationary relative to a fixed point on the earth's surface, but they are very expensive to build and launch and extremely difficult to maintain because they must be positioned at a distance -of about 22,000 miles from the earth.
According to the present invention, there is provided a lightweight airborne device which is adapted to maintain a stationary position in the atmosphere, relative to the earth's surface, by drawing power from its environment and using it to operate drive means to counteract shifts in position. The device is preferably adapted to operate as a telecommunications relay station.
By "lightweight device" I mean a device which is either "lighter than air" such as a balloon, or which is heavier than air but very lightly constructed, in the same way as a glider (for example), and includes aerofoil sections to generate lift. Preferably, the stationary position of the device, in use, is arranged to be well above cloud level and the power to operate the drive means is derived primarily from solar energv. For example, solar cells may be used to power an electric motor driving a propeller or fan, or ion or plasma jets.
Preferably the device includes an internal navigation system including a micro-computer which is adapted to monitor the position of the device relative to fixed points such as navigation satellites or ground stations, and to generate suitable control signals for the drive means. The device may be of such a configuration that the underside has a large area which acts as a reflector, or carries antennae for radio signals from ground stations while the upper parts of the device may carry solar power collectors.
Preferably, the device is arranged to be capable of returning to earth at intervals, for routine maintenance or alterations to its equipment.
A number of devices according to the invention may be arranged in an array to cover an entire country (for example) and they may be arranged to communicate with one another, for example using laser communication links.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a device according to the invention.
This drawing shows a device having a crosssection which is dished as shown at 2 to provide an aerofoil effect. The dish may be rotated continuously around a central hub 6 to provide lift (as in the case of a "frisbee") and is a light composite structure comprising a thin sheet metal (e.g. titanium), or carbon fibre reinforced plastics, outer skin with foamed plastic interior such as polyurethane. The structure may include voids containing a light inert gas to increase its buoyancy. Dish-shaped aerials 8 are used to relay signals between ground stations and may also be used to provide navigational signals for the device itself. The lower surface of the device may also be used as a radio signal reflector.The upper surface of the device carries solar panels 4 which collect power to drive motors for rotating the dish, or other mechanism for generating lift such as fans, or ion or plasma engines. The position of the device is controlled by a navigation computer housed in a central hub 6 connected to aerials which pick up signals from existing navigational satellites.
The device of the invention may also be used for crop surveying, meteorological or other surveillance purposes, prospecting, research safety and emergency services, navigational purposes and the like.
Claims
1. A lightweight airborne device adapted to maintain a stationary position in the atmosphere, relative to the earth surface, by drawing power from its environment to operate drive means so as to counteract shifts in position.
2. A device according to claim 1 including means for relaying telecommunication signals.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, including aerofoil sections to generate lift.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, which is adapted to operate by means of solar power.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a generally saucer-shaped body adapted to rotate about a central hub.
6. A device according to any preceding claim including internal voids fiiled with a buoyant inert gas.
7. A lightweight airborne device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Airborne Relay Station This invention relates to airborne devices, and particularly to airborne devices useful in communications systems of the type in which a communications device is positioned sufficiently high above the earth's surface to act as a relay station for signals emanating from, and directed to, large areas of the surface. One known type of relay station which is used at present is the satellite. "Geo-stationary" satellites are particularly suitable for communications purposes because they remain approximately stationary relative to a fixed point on the earth's surface, but they are very expensive to build and launch and extremely difficult to maintain because they must be positioned at a distance -of about 22,000 miles from the earth. According to the present invention, there is provided a lightweight airborne device which is adapted to maintain a stationary position in the atmosphere, relative to the earth's surface, by drawing power from its environment and using it to operate drive means to counteract shifts in position. The device is preferably adapted to operate as a telecommunications relay station. By "lightweight device" I mean a device which is either "lighter than air" such as a balloon, or which is heavier than air but very lightly constructed, in the same way as a glider (for example), and includes aerofoil sections to generate lift. Preferably, the stationary position of the device, in use, is arranged to be well above cloud level and the power to operate the drive means is derived primarily from solar energv. For example, solar cells may be used to power an electric motor driving a propeller or fan, or ion or plasma jets. Preferably the device includes an internal navigation system including a micro-computer which is adapted to monitor the position of the device relative to fixed points such as navigation satellites or ground stations, and to generate suitable control signals for the drive means. The device may be of such a configuration that the underside has a large area which acts as a reflector, or carries antennae for radio signals from ground stations while the upper parts of the device may carry solar power collectors. Preferably, the device is arranged to be capable of returning to earth at intervals, for routine maintenance or alterations to its equipment. A number of devices according to the invention may be arranged in an array to cover an entire country (for example) and they may be arranged to communicate with one another, for example using laser communication links. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a device according to the invention. This drawing shows a device having a crosssection which is dished as shown at 2 to provide an aerofoil effect. The dish may be rotated continuously around a central hub 6 to provide lift (as in the case of a "frisbee") and is a light composite structure comprising a thin sheet metal (e.g. titanium), or carbon fibre reinforced plastics, outer skin with foamed plastic interior such as polyurethane. The structure may include voids containing a light inert gas to increase its buoyancy. Dish-shaped aerials 8 are used to relay signals between ground stations and may also be used to provide navigational signals for the device itself. The lower surface of the device may also be used as a radio signal reflector.The upper surface of the device carries solar panels 4 which collect power to drive motors for rotating the dish, or other mechanism for generating lift such as fans, or ion or plasma engines. The position of the device is controlled by a navigation computer housed in a central hub 6 connected to aerials which pick up signals from existing navigational satellites. The device of the invention may also be used for crop surveying, meteorological or other surveillance purposes, prospecting, research safety and emergency services, navigational purposes and the like. Claims
1. A lightweight airborne device adapted to maintain a stationary position in the atmosphere, relative to the earth surface, by drawing power from its environment to operate drive means so as to counteract shifts in position.
2. A device according to claim 1 including means for relaying telecommunication signals.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, including aerofoil sections to generate lift.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, which is adapted to operate by means of solar power.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a generally saucer-shaped body adapted to rotate about a central hub.
6. A device according to any preceding claim including internal voids fiiled with a buoyant inert gas.
7. A lightweight airborne device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8027687A 1980-08-27 1980-08-27 Airborne relay station Expired GB2082995B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8027687A GB2082995B (en) 1980-08-27 1980-08-27 Airborne relay station

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8027687A GB2082995B (en) 1980-08-27 1980-08-27 Airborne relay station

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2082995A true GB2082995A (en) 1982-03-17
GB2082995B GB2082995B (en) 1984-02-08

Family

ID=10515667

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8027687A Expired GB2082995B (en) 1980-08-27 1980-08-27 Airborne relay station

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2082995B (en)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2712128A1 (en) * 1993-07-30 1995-05-12 Int Multi Media Corp Sub-orbital, high-altitude communication system
WO1997007609A2 (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-02-27 Ramot University Authority For Applied Research & Industrial Development Ltd. High altitude cellular communication system platform
WO1997015992A1 (en) * 1995-10-27 1997-05-01 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. Strato state platform and its use in communication
EP0837567A2 (en) * 1996-10-17 1998-04-22 The Boeing Company Airborne broadband communication network
EP0913908A2 (en) * 1997-10-31 1999-05-06 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Flying body maintained in an essentially fixed position at altitudes as high as the stratosphere
WO1999046165A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 1999-09-16 Centre National D'etudes Spatiales (C.N.E.S.) Permanently rotating free aerostat mobile in radial translation relative to ambient air
ES2137887A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1999-12-16 Int Multi Media Corp High efficiency sub-orbital high altitude telecommunications system
EP1003266A1 (en) * 1998-11-17 2000-05-24 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Flying body equipped with solar cells panels
EP1058409A1 (en) * 1999-06-03 2000-12-06 Contraves Space AG Network and method for wireless data communication network using flying relays
FR2795043A1 (en) * 1999-06-21 2000-12-22 Cit Alcatel HIGH ALTITUDE FLYING VEHICLE AS A RADIUS RELAY AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE VEHICLE
US6167263A (en) * 1997-05-16 2000-12-26 Spherecore, Inc. Aerial communications network including a plurality of aerial platforms
US6324398B1 (en) * 1996-02-26 2001-11-27 Lucent Technologies Inc. Wireless telecommunications system having airborne base station
WO2001058758A3 (en) * 2000-02-14 2002-05-02 Aerovironment Inc Remotely piloted aircraft
FR2821059A1 (en) * 2001-02-19 2002-08-23 Eric Serveau Aircraft is helium filled flying wing has large capacity with solar drive
US7802756B2 (en) 2000-02-14 2010-09-28 Aerovironment Inc. Aircraft control system
RU2446990C2 (en) * 2010-05-26 2012-04-10 Алексей Александрович Лысов Aircraft with parachute wing
US8483120B2 (en) * 1993-07-30 2013-07-09 Sherwin I. Seligsohn High efficiency sub-orbital high altitude telecommunications system
EP2660151A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-11-06 Sunlight Photonics Inc. Autonomous solar aircraft
CN104340366A (en) * 2014-10-29 2015-02-11 四川量迅科技有限公司 Resource exploration type unmanned aerial vehicle provided with solar panel
WO2016086199A1 (en) * 2014-11-30 2016-06-02 Sunlight Photonics Inc. Multi-functional skin incorporating a photo-voltaic array and a rf antenna

Cited By (39)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2113814A1 (en) * 1993-07-30 1998-05-01 Int Multi Media Corp Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system
EP0711476A1 (en) * 1993-07-30 1996-05-15 International Multi-Media Corporation Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system
EP0711476A4 (en) * 1993-07-30 1996-07-10 Int Multi Media Corp Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system
US7567779B2 (en) 1993-07-30 2009-07-28 International Multi-Media Corporation Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system
US8483120B2 (en) * 1993-07-30 2013-07-09 Sherwin I. Seligsohn High efficiency sub-orbital high altitude telecommunications system
FR2712128A1 (en) * 1993-07-30 1995-05-12 Int Multi Media Corp Sub-orbital, high-altitude communication system
ES2137887A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1999-12-16 Int Multi Media Corp High efficiency sub-orbital high altitude telecommunications system
WO1997007609A2 (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-02-27 Ramot University Authority For Applied Research & Industrial Development Ltd. High altitude cellular communication system platform
WO1997007609A3 (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-05-22 Univ Ramot High altitude cellular communication system platform
WO1997015992A1 (en) * 1995-10-27 1997-05-01 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. Strato state platform and its use in communication
US6324398B1 (en) * 1996-02-26 2001-11-27 Lucent Technologies Inc. Wireless telecommunications system having airborne base station
EP0837567A2 (en) * 1996-10-17 1998-04-22 The Boeing Company Airborne broadband communication network
EP0837567A3 (en) * 1996-10-17 2001-01-17 The Boeing Company Airborne broadband communication network
US6167263A (en) * 1997-05-16 2000-12-26 Spherecore, Inc. Aerial communications network including a plurality of aerial platforms
EP0913908A2 (en) * 1997-10-31 1999-05-06 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Flying body maintained in an essentially fixed position at altitudes as high as the stratosphere
EP0913908A3 (en) * 1997-10-31 2000-04-19 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Flying body maintained in an essentially fixed position at altitudes as high as the stratosphere
WO1999046165A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 1999-09-16 Centre National D'etudes Spatiales (C.N.E.S.) Permanently rotating free aerostat mobile in radial translation relative to ambient air
US6382557B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2002-05-07 Centre National D'etudes Spatiales (C.N.E.S.) Permanently rotating free aerostat mobile in radial translation relative to ambient air
FR2775949A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 1999-09-17 Centre Nat Etd Spatiales Permanently rotating, station-keeping stratospheric aerostat
EP1003266A1 (en) * 1998-11-17 2000-05-24 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Flying body equipped with solar cells panels
DE19923449B4 (en) * 1998-11-17 2011-02-10 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Missile with photoelectric conversion device
EP1058409A1 (en) * 1999-06-03 2000-12-06 Contraves Space AG Network and method for wireless data communication network using flying relays
US7313362B1 (en) 1999-06-21 2007-12-25 Alcatel High altitude airborne craft used as radio relay and method for placing said airborne craft on station
WO2000078607A1 (en) * 1999-06-21 2000-12-28 Alcatel High altitude airborne craft used as radio relay and method for placing said airborne craft on station
FR2795043A1 (en) * 1999-06-21 2000-12-22 Cit Alcatel HIGH ALTITUDE FLYING VEHICLE AS A RADIUS RELAY AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE VEHICLE
EP1063165A1 (en) * 1999-06-21 2000-12-27 Alcatel High-altitude airborne vehicle used as telecommunications system and method for positionning the vehicle
US7802756B2 (en) 2000-02-14 2010-09-28 Aerovironment Inc. Aircraft control system
US7198225B2 (en) 2000-02-14 2007-04-03 Aerovironment, Inc. Aircraft control system
US6931247B2 (en) 2000-02-14 2005-08-16 Aerovironment, Inc. Aircraft control method
WO2001058758A3 (en) * 2000-02-14 2002-05-02 Aerovironment Inc Remotely piloted aircraft
US9120555B2 (en) 2000-02-14 2015-09-01 Aerovironment Inc. Active dihedral control system for a torisionally flexible wing
US9764819B2 (en) 2000-02-14 2017-09-19 Aerovironment, Inc. Active dihedral control system for a torsionally flexible wing
FR2821059A1 (en) * 2001-02-19 2002-08-23 Eric Serveau Aircraft is helium filled flying wing has large capacity with solar drive
RU2446990C2 (en) * 2010-05-26 2012-04-10 Алексей Александрович Лысов Aircraft with parachute wing
EP2660151A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-11-06 Sunlight Photonics Inc. Autonomous solar aircraft
CN104340366A (en) * 2014-10-29 2015-02-11 四川量迅科技有限公司 Resource exploration type unmanned aerial vehicle provided with solar panel
CN104340366B (en) * 2014-10-29 2016-04-13 四川量迅科技有限公司 A kind of resource exploration type unmanned plane being provided with solar panel
WO2016086199A1 (en) * 2014-11-30 2016-06-02 Sunlight Photonics Inc. Multi-functional skin incorporating a photo-voltaic array and a rf antenna
US9570795B1 (en) 2014-11-30 2017-02-14 Sunlight Photonics Inc. Multi-functional skin incorporating a photo-voltaic array and a RF antenna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2082995B (en) 1984-02-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2082995A (en) Airborne Relay Station
EP0385921B1 (en) Method and system for supporting an airborne vehicle in space
US10924178B2 (en) Geostationary high altitude platform
JP6855421B2 (en) Communication relay device
EP3606128B1 (en) Three dimensionalization of fifth generation communication
US3174705A (en) Space station and system for operating same
US7438261B2 (en) Stratospheric balloon utilizing electrostatic inflation of walls
US4697761A (en) High altitude reconnaissance platform
US5395070A (en) Solar energy concentrator assembly and associated method
JP2018157522A5 (en) Communication system, remote control device, levitation body, method for controlling levitation body, and method for using levitation body
WO2018193776A1 (en) Drone sharing service platform
US20060284003A1 (en) Hybrid unmanned vehicle for high altitude operations
US20050263642A1 (en) Highly maneuverable powered airship
GB2212773A (en) Microwave-powered aircraft
WO1997033790A1 (en) High-altitude lighter-than-air stationary platforms including ion engines
WO2019058991A1 (en) Haps flight control in which air current data is used
AU2001255374A1 (en) Active antenna communication system
US20170025751A1 (en) Fan Beam Antenna
US3130945A (en) Ionocraft
EP4178034A1 (en) Inhibition of reflected wave interference from antenna-attachment plate in haps service link
US3540048A (en) Deep space-monitor communication satellite system
US11641056B2 (en) Flight vehicle and communication system
JP2018157524A5 (en) COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE, AND METHOD OF USING LEFT BODY WITH WIRELESS RELAY STATION
RU2769036C1 (en) Unmanned aerial vehicle with electric power generation
Gavan et al. The potential of high altitude platforms (HAPS) for low interference and broadband radio services

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee