Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to drones and particularly to a drone internetworking system for disaster-resilient connectivity.
Description of Related Art
[002] Wireless communication networks are essential for personal, professional, and emergency connectivity. Traditional terrestrial networks rely on fixed infrastructure such as base stations, which are effective in urban and suburban areas but face significant challenges in geographically remote and disaster-prone regions. Mountainous landscapes, dense forests, and disaster-affected zones often experience non-line-of-sight (NLoS) signal obstructions, infrastructure failures, and connectivity disruptions. In such scenarios, ensuring reliable communication is critical for emergency response, disaster recovery, and rural connectivity.
[003] Existing solutions include satellite communication (SATCOM), high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and mobile base stations such as Cell-on-Wheels (COWs) and Cell-on-Light-Trucks (CoLTs). While SATCOM offers global coverage, it is expensive and suffers from high latency. HAPS provides localized high-altitude coverage but is limited by slow deployment and weather dependency. Mobile base stations are practical for emergency deployment but face logistical challenges in rough terrains, often requiring stable ground infrastructure for operation. Drone-based relay networks have been explored as an alternative, but their short flight durations and inefficient signal optimization limit their effectiveness.
[004] There is a need for a communication solution that is cost-effective, adaptable, and capable of providing reliable coverage in NLoS environments and disaster-stricken areas. An ideal system should be scalable, energy-efficient, and capable of rapid deployment to ensure uninterrupted communication for emergency response teams, rural communities, and infrastructure-deficient regions.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced drone internetworking system for disaster-resilient connectivity that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a drone internetworking system for disaster-resilient connectivity. The system comprising a fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with an Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit. The Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit comprises a meta surface, such that the meta surface is adapted to relay wireless signals in regions with absence of a Line of Sight (LoS) visibility. The system further comprising a base station for transmitting the wireless signals. The system further comprising a control unit embedded in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The control unit is configured to align the meta surface of the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit to modify signal phase, amplitude, and direction for the optimized wireless signal receipt; receive the wireless signals transmitted from the base station; decode navigational commands encapsulated in the received wireless signals; actuate a set of motors to drive a set of propellers to navigate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as commanded in the navigational command.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for drone internetworking for disaster-resilient connectivity. The method comprising steps of aligning a meta surface of an Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit to modify signal phase, amplitude, and direction for optimized wireless signal receipt; receiving the wireless signals transmitted from a base station; decoding navigational command encapsulated in the received wireless signals; and actuating a set of motors to drive a set of propellers to navigate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as commanded in the navigational command.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a drone internetworking system for disaster-resilient connectivity.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a drone networking system that can efficiently extend connectivity in areas where traditional signals are blocked by hills, buildings, or other obstacles.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a drone networking system that can be deployed quickly in disaster-stricken regions, ensuring immediate communication support for emergency response teams.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a drone networking system that provides a scalable and energy-efficient solution compared to high-cost satellite communications and weather-sensitive High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), making it a more practical option for temporary or emergency connectivity.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a drone networking system that enables passive beamforming, reducing energy consumption while optimizing signal strength, making the system more sustainable and long-lasting.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a drone networking system that is suitable for disaster recovery, public events, and rural development without requiring permanent infrastructure investments.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a drone internetworking system for disaster-resilient connectivity, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates a representative diagram of the drone internetworking system for disaster-resilient connectivity, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for drone internetworking for disaster-resilient connectivity, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a drone internetworking system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) for disaster-resilient connectivity, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be adapted to facilitate a drone to fly in areas with less visibility and weak digital connectivity bandwidth. The system 100 may facilitate the drone to fly in area struck with disasters, such as, but not limited to, earthquakes, floods, fire outbreaks and so forth. As with occurrence of the disasters, a networking infrastructure may be hampered. Additionally, dust and debris may further reduce visibility. Thus, the system 100 may boost digital connectivity of the drone, and hence facilitate a flight in the disaster struck area.
[0025] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may incorporate non-limiting hardware components to enhance the processing speed and efficiency such as the system 100 may comprise a fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102, a communication unit 116, and a base station 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware components of the system 100 may be integrated with computer-executable instructions for overcoming the challenges and the limitations of the existing systems.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 may be adapted to be flown in a disaster struck regions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 may comprise an Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104, a meta surface 106, a control unit 108, a set of motors 110, a set of propellers 112, and a navigational unit 114.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 may enable a development of an ad-hoc relay network. The Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 may operate with a low energy consumption. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 may comprise the meta surface 106. The meta surface 106 may be adapted to relay wireless signals in regions with absence of a Line of Sight (LoS) visibility. The meta surface 106 of the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 may be electronically controlled by the control unit 108.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be embedded in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be configured to align the meta surface 106 of the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 to modify signal phase, amplitude, and direction for the optimized wireless signal receipt. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be configured to receive the wireless signals transmitted from the base station 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be configured to decode navigational commands encapsulated in the received wireless signals. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be configured to actuate the set of motors 110 to drive the set of propellers 112 to navigate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 as commanded in the navigational command. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be configured to integrate with machine learning algorithms to predict wireless signals propagation patterns and optimize the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 position and the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 settings accordingly. The control unit 108 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the navigational unit 114 may be adapted for an autonomous navigation of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 enabling a real-time positioning and adaptive deployment in disaster-struck areas where ground infrastructure may be disrupted.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous navigation may be represented in x° North, y° East coordinated format. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous navigation may be in x° North y minute and z second, a° East b minute and c second coordinated format. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous navigation may be in any format. According to embodiments of the present invention, the navigational unit 114 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), a Real-time locating systems (RTLS), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the navigational unit 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be adapted to establish a communicative link between the base station 118 and the control unit 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be, but not limited to a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] According to embodiments of the present invention, the wired communication network may be enabled by means such as, but not limited to, a twisted pair cable, a co-axial cable, an Ethernet cable, a modem, a router, a switch, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the means that may enable the wired communication network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, the wireless communication network may be enabled by means such as, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi communication module, a Bluetooth communication module, a millimeter waves communication module, an Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) communication module, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the means that may enable the wireless communication network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base station 118 may be adapted to transmit the wireless signals. The transmitted wireless signals may be carried by the communication unit 116 and may further be fed into the control unit 108.
[0035] FIG. 1B illustrates a representative diagram of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be adapted to facilitate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 to fly in the areas with less visibility and weak digital connectivity bandwidth, such as the area struck with the disaster. The Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 may be embedded in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102. The Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 may further comprise the meta surface 106 that may adapted to be adjusted and oriented to enhance the wireless signal receipt from the base station 118. As the wireless signal receipt may be enhanced, a flying radius of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 may too increase, allowing an even farther distance between the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 and the base station 118. The implantation of the above discussed provision may enable a longer and precise flight of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102.
[0036] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for the drone internetworking for disaster-resilient connectivity, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] At step 202, the system 100 may align the meta surface 106 of the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit 104 to modify the signal phase, the amplitude, and the direction for the optimized wireless signal receipt.
[0038] At step 204, the system 100 may receive the wireless signals transmitted from the base station 118.
[0039] At step 206, the system 100 may decode the navigational commands encapsulated in the received wireless signals.
[0040] At step 208, the system 100 may actuate the set of motors 110 to drive the set of propellers 112 to navigate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 102 as commanded in the navigational command.
[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An drone internetworking system (100) for disaster-resilient connectivity, the system (100) comprising:
a fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (102) equipped with an Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104), wherein the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) comprises a meta surface (106), such that the meta surface (106) is adapted to relay wireless signals in regions with absence of a Line of Sight (LoS) visibility;
a base station (118) for transmitting the wireless signals; and
a control unit (108) embedded in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (102), characterized in that the control unit (108) is configured to:
align the meta surface (106) of the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) to modify signal phase, amplitude, and direction for the optimized wireless signal receipt;
receive the wireless signals transmitted from the base station (118);
decode navigational commands encapsulated in the received wireless signals; and
actuate a set of motors (110) to drive a set of propellers (112) to navigate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (102) as commanded in the navigational command.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a communication unit (116) adapted to establish a communicative link between the base station (118) and the control unit (108).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the meta surface (106) of the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) is electronically controlled by the control unit (108).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a navigational unit (114) adapted for an autonomous navigation of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (102) enabling a real-time positioning and adaptive deployment in disaster-struck areas where ground infrastructure is disrupted.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) operates with a low energy consumption.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) enables a development of an ad-hoc relay network.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) is integrated with machine learning algorithms to predict wireless signals propagation patterns and optimize the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (102) position and the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) settings accordingly.
8. A method (200) for drone internetworking for disaster-resilient connectivity, the method (200) is characterized by steps of:
aligning a meta surface (106) of an Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) to modify signal phase, amplitude, and direction for optimized wireless signal receipt;
receiving the wireless signals transmitted from a base station (118);
decoding navigational command encapsulated in the received wireless signals; and
actuating a set of motors (110) to drive a set of propellers (112) to navigate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (102) as commanded in the navigational command.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) operates with a low energy consumption.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS) unit (104) enables a development of an ad-hoc relay network.
Date: March 11, 2025
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant