The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 27, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 03, 2008
Brad Smoot, Scandia Park, NM (US);
Erik Erben, Rio Rancho, NM (US);
Brad Smoot, Scandia Park, NM (US);
Erik Erben, Rio Rancho, NM (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A system and method for communication with an autonomous air vehicle are provided. The system comprises a steerable antenna array including a plurality of directional antenna elements each selectable to receive a video signal from the air vehicle. An antenna control unit is operatively coupled to the antenna elements and includes a magnetometer for determining an orientation for each of the antenna elements. A ground control station is in operative communication with the antenna array and comprises a ground data terminal in operative communication with the antenna control unit, and an operator control unit in operative communication with the data terminal and the antenna control unit. The operator control unit is configured to obtain positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station from the data terminal. The operator control unit is further configured to determine which of the antenna elements to select by utilizing the positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station, and the orientation of one of the antenna elements.