Antenna assembly for communicating with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and UAV system

An antenna assembly includes a base, a gimbal disposed at the base, an antenna disposed at the gimbal, and a mainboard configured to control an attitude of the gimbal to control a radiation direction of the antenna.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle and, more particularly, to an antenna assembly for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication and a UAV system.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid development of the UAV industry, the UAVs are widely used in aerial photography, power grid inspection, dam inspection, fire rescue, and earthquake search and rescue, etc. As science and technology advance rapidly, more and more unknown fields need to be developed. More dangerous work and work environment require the work replacement of human by the UAV. Thus, requirements for longer communication distance and better communication quality between the UAV and remote controller thereof are getting more and more stringent.

An antenna device is a critical component for signal transmission between the UAV and the remote controller. The antenna device is used to transmit control signals of the remote controller to the UAV or to receive data signals returned by the UAV. To a large extent, the antenna device determines the communication distance and the communication quality between the UAV and the remote controller.

However, relevant products in the existing technology for improving the communication quality or increasing the communication distance between the UAV and the remote controller have the problems of unsuitable frequency band for signal transmission between the UAV and the remote controller or un-adjustable antenna attitude. Thus, the relevant products are ineffective in increasing the communication distance between the UAV and the remote controller or improving the poor communication quality between the UAV and the remote controller at a long distance.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided an antenna assembly including a base, a gimbal disposed at the base, an antenna disposed at the gimbal, and a mainboard configured to control an attitude of the gimbal to control a radiation direction of the antenna.

Also in accordance with the disclosure, there is provided an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system including a UAV, an external device, and an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly includes a base, a gimbal disposed at the base, an antenna disposed at the gimbal, and a mainboard configured to control an attitude of the gimbal to aim a radiation direction of the antenna towards the UAV. The external device is configured to send a control signal to the antenna assembly. The antenna assembly is configured to process the control signal and send the processed control signal to the UAV. The UAV is configured to execute flight operation according to the processed control signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It will be appreciated that the described embodiments are some rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments conceived by those having ordinary skills in the art on the basis of the described embodiments without inventive efforts should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1is a schematic view of an antenna assembly for communicating with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, the antenna assembly includes a mainboard101, a base102, a gimbal103, and an antenna104. The gimbal103is disposed at the base102. The antenna104is disposed at the gimbal103. The mainboard101is configured to control attitude of the gimbal103to aim a radiation direction of the antenna104toward an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

To increase the communication distance of the UAV, an intensity of the communication signal of the UAV may be increased to ensure the communication quality of the UAV. In some embodiments, the signal radiation direction of the antenna104is directed toward the UAV to increase the intensity of the signal. In one application scenario, the communication signal may be amplified by an integrated power amplifier disposed inside the antenna assembly to increase the intensity of the communication signal. UAV communication includes, but is not limited to, data transmission of images and videos, and transmission of control instructions.

Different form the existing technology, the antenna assembly provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure adjusts the radiation direction of the antenna104through the gimbal103to aim the radiation direction toward the UAV, thereby increasing the intensity of the communication signal of the UAV, increasing the communication distance of the UAV, and improving the communication quality of long-distance communication of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the antenna assembly is further used to communicate with an external device. The external device is configured to transmit a control signal to the antenna assembly. The antenna assembly transmits the control signal to the UAV. Further, the antenna assembly amplifies the control signal from the external device before transmitting the control signal to the UAV. The amplified control signal is then transmitted to the UAV. Further, the mainboard101of the antenna assembly may control the attitude of the gimbal103to aim the radiation direction of the antenna104toward the UAV.

In some embodiments, the external device may be configured to receive an image signal from the UAV through the antenna assembly. The UAV transmits the image signal to the antenna assembly. The antenna assembly amplifies the image signal and then transmits the amplified image signal to the external device. Further, the UAV may include at least one imaging device (e.g., a camera).

In some embodiments, the external device includes, but is not limited to, a remote controller, a wristband, a watch, VR glasses, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, connection between the antenna assembly and the external device is wired or wireless.

In some embodiments, the antenna assembly further includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU, not shown), configured to measure the current attitude of the gimbal103. Based on the current attitude, the mainboard101can control the gimbal103to be in a target attitude to adjust the radiation direction of the antenna104toward the UAV

In some embodiments, the gimbal103includes a yaw axis assembly105and a pitch axis assembly106. The yaw axis assembly is disposed at the base102. The pitch axis assembly106and the mainboard101are both disposed at the yaw axis assembly105. The pitch axis assembly106is configured to support the antenna104. The attitude of the gimbal103includes a yaw angle of the yaw axis assembly105and a pitch angle of the pitch axis assembly106. The yaw axis assembly105rotates around a yaw axis to adjust the yaw angle. The pitch axis assembly106rotates around a pitch axis to adjust the pitch angle. The yaw angle and the pitch angle are adjusted in real time by the yaw axis assembly105and the pitch axis assembly106, respectively. As such, the radiation direction of the antenna104disposed at the gimbal103can be adjusted in real time to always aim the antenna104toward the UAV. When the communication signal between the UAV and the antenna assembly is interrupted, the IMU can measure the attitude of the gimbal103, and the mainboard101can control the yaw axis assembly105and the pitch axis assembly106to rotate to search for the UAV (i.e., search for the communication signal) until the antenna assembly and the UAV re-establish the communication.

In some embodiments, the gimbal103further includes a roll axis assembly (not shown). The roll axis assembly may be disposed between the yaw axis assembly105and the pitch axis assembly106. The roll axis assembly may include a roll axis electric motor. The attitude of the gimbal103further includes a roll angle of the roll axis assembly. The roll axis assembly may rotate around the roll axis to adjust the roll angle.

FIGS. 2A-2Care schematic views of a base of the antenna assembly inFIG. 1. As shown inFIGS. 2A-2C, the base includes a housing201, a first drive gear202and a bearing203fixedly disposed at the housing201, and a bottom plate support member204rotatably supported by the bearing203.

The bottom plate support member204may be, but is not limited to, a flange or a spring support member. The bottom plate support member204is configured to support the gimbal103disposed at the base102(referring toFIG. 1).

In some embodiments, the first drive gear202and the bearing203are coaxially disposed. In one application scenario, the bearing203is fixedly coupled to the first drive gear202by a bearing lock screw205, such that the bearing203rotates as the first drive gear202rotates and separation of the yaw axis assembly206(referring toFIG. 2B, partially shown) from the base101(referring toFIG. 1) is prevented when the yaw axis assembly206rotates with the bearing203.

In some embodiments, the base further includes a limit slip ring207disposed between the first drive gear202and the bottom plate support member204. The limit slip ring207is configured to limit a rotation angle (i.e., a rotation range of the yaw angle) that the bottom plate support member204rotates relative to the first drive gear202. In one application scenario, a boss (or protrusion)208is configured on the first drive gear202. When rotating to a maximum yaw angle in one direction, the limit slip ring207hits the boss208. Similarly, another boss209is configured on the bottom plate support ember204. When the bottom plate support member204rotates to another maximum yaw angle in an opposite direction, the boss209hits the limit slip ring207. As such, the first drive gear202and the bottom plate support member204rotate within a rotation angle range between two maximum yaw angles in two opposite directions.

In some embodiments, the base further includes an anti-friction slip ring210disposed between the limit slip ring207and the bottom plate support member204to increase wear resistance therebetween.

In some embodiments, the base further includes a feedline fixing platen211fixedly disposed at the housing201and a feedline rotating platen212rotationally disposed at the housing201. The feedline rotating platen212rotates with the yaw axis assembly206. The feedline fixing platen211and the feedline rotating platen212are coordinated to form a feedline receiving space (referring toFIG. 2B) to receive a feedline213. During a process of rotating, the yaw axis assembly206drives the feedline rotating platen212and the feedline213to rotate synchronously. The rotation of the feedline213driven by the feedline rotating platen212addresses the problem that the loose feedline213interferes with movement of other structures.

In some embodiments, the base further includes a locking post214protrudingly disposed at the feedline rotating platen212and pointing toward the yaw axis assembly206. The feedline rotating platen212rotates with the yaw axis assembly206through the locking post214.

In some embodiments, the feedline rotating platen212includes a wiring hole215(referring toFIG. 2B). Through the wiring hole215, the feedline213is electrically connected to the yaw axis assembly206and the mainboard101(referring toFIG. 1). In some other embodiments, through the wiring hole215, the feedline213is connected to the external device to ensure stable and reliable signal transmission.

In some embodiments, the base further includes a bottom handle216for a user to hold the antenna assembly, an indicator217indicating operation status of the antenna assembly, and an on-off switch218.

FIG. 3is a schematic view of a yaw axis assembly and a mainboard of the gimbal inFIG. 1. The yaw axis assembly is configured to adjust the yaw angle of the gimbal under the control of the mainboard301. The yaw axis assembly includes a first bottom plate302, a yaw axis electric motor303disposed at the first bottom plate302, and a second drive gear304driven by the yaw axis electric motor303. The first bottom plate302is supported by the bottom plate support member204(referring toFIG. 2A). The second drive gear304engages with the first drive gear202(referring toFIG. 2A). As such, driven by the yaw axis electric motor303, the bottom plate support member204and the first bottom plate302rotate relative to the housing201of the base and the first drive gear202(referring toFIG. 2A) around the yaw axis defined by the bearing203on the base to adjust the yaw angle of the gimbal. In one application scenario, the yaw angle can be in a range approximately between −330° and 330°. In other application scenarios, the yaw angle range may be different.

In some embodiments, the yaw axis assembly further includes a power supply circuit305, a positioning circuit306, a pointing circuit307, and barometer (not shown). The power supply circuit305is configured to supply power to various structures. The positioning circuit306is configured to measure position information of the antenna assembly. The pointing circuit307is configured to indicate an azimuth angle of the antenna assembly. The barometer is configured to obtain height information of the antenna assembly. In one application scenario, the power supply circuit305further includes a power source308and a power source holder309to mount the power source308on the first bottom plate302. The pointing circuit307further includes a mounting bracket310, a carbon tube311fixed to the lower portion of the mounting bracket310, and a compass312. The positioning circuit306and the compass312both are fixed to the mounting bracket310. The pointing circuit307is mounted at the first bottom plate302. The positioning circuit306may be, but is not limited to, a GPS circuit or a Beidou circuit. In other embodiments, the barometer and the positioning circuit306are disposed outside the yaw axis assembly.

In some embodiments, the yaw axis assembly further includes an electric motor mounting bracket313for mounting the yaw axis electric motor303on the first bottom plate302and a heat sink314disposed at the mainboard301for heat dissipation.

In one application scenario, the mainboard301is mounted at the yaw axis assembly through a mainboard mounting bracket315and a bushing316.

FIG. 4is a schematic view of a pitch axis assembly of the gimbal inFIG. 1. The pitch axis assembly is configured to adjust the pitch angel of the gimbal. As shown inFIG. 4, the pitch axis assembly includes a pitch axis electric motor401, a first bracket402, a second bracket403, and an antenna support member404. The pitch axis electric motor401is disposed at the first bracket402. The first bracket402and the second bracket403are separately fixed to the first bottom plate302of the yaw axis assembly (referring toFIG. 3). One end of the antenna support member404is rotationally supported on the second bracket403. The other end of the antenna support member404is connected to the pitch axis electric motor401. As such, driven by the pitch axis electric motor401, the antenna support member404rotates around the pitch axis defined by the first bracket402and the second bracket403to adjust the pitch angle of the gimbal. In one application scenario, the pitch angle can be in a range approximately between −25° and 90°. In other application scenarios, the pitch angle range may be different.

In some embodiments, one side of the antenna support member404is fixed to the antenna104to support the antenna104(referring toFIG. 1), and the other side is mounted with a counterweight406through a counterweight mounting shaft405to balance the antenna support member404, thereby reducing moment of inertia of the pitch axis assembly.

In some embodiments, the IMU407of the antenna assembly configured to measure the attitude of the gimbal is disposed at the pitch axis assembly. The IMU407is connected to the mainboard through a flexible circuit board408, such that data of the measured attitude of the gimbal is transmitted to the mainboard.

For example, based on horizontal position information of the antenna assembly and horizontal position information of the UAV or based on a first control instruction generated from the horizontal position information of the antenna assembly and the horizontal position information of the UAV, the mainboard controls the yaw axis assembly to rotate around the yaw axis to adjust the yaw angle. Further, based on a horizontal distance and a height difference between the antenna assembly and the UAV or based on a second control instruction generated from the horizontal distance and the height difference between the antenna assembly and the UAV, the mainboard controls the pitch axis assembly to rotate around the pitch axis to adjust the pitch angle.

Different from the existing technology, the yaw axis assembly105and the pitch axis assembly106do not interfere with each other in the movement of the structures and cooperate with each other in the movement control, thereby providing technical support for changing the attitude of the gimbal.

Different from the existing technology, the yaw angle range can be from approximately −330° to approximately 330°, and the pitch angle range can be from approximately −25° to approximately 90°. In this case, while no dead zone exists above a plane of the bottom surface of the antenna assembly, a certain range for transmitting or receiving the UAV signal still exists below the plane of the bottom surface, thereby effectively extending the operating range of the UAV. Especially when the antenna is placed at a high position, the UAV located below the plane of the bottom surface of the antenna at a long distance may still transmit and receive high quality signals.

FIG. 5is a schematic view of an antenna of the antenna assembly inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 5, the antenna includes an antenna support member501, an antenna bottom plate502disposed at the antenna support member501, and an antenna array plate503disposed at the antenna bottom plate502.

In some embodiments, the antenna operates in a first frequency band or a second frequency band.

In some embodiments, the first frequency band is around 2.4 GHz and the second frequency band is around 5.8 GHz. In some other embodiments, the first frequency band is around 5.8 GHz and the second frequency band is around 2.4 GHz.

In some embodiments, the antenna is a directional antenna or an omni-directional antenna.

In one application scenario, the antenna array plate503includes an internal integrated power amplifier to amplify the signal transmit power.

Different from the existing technology, the antenna supports 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz dual-band communication. The power gains thereof are greater than 12 dBi and 18 dBi, respectively. The antenna effectively extends the communication distance or improves the long distance communication quality, thereby increasing the smoothness and stability of the image or video signal transmission and reducing the communication delay.

In one application scenario, the antenna array plate503is fixed to the antenna support member501through a bushing504.

FIG. 6is a schematic view of a UAV system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, the UAV system includes a UAV601, an external device602, and an antenna assembly603. The external device602sends a control signal to the antenna assembly603. The antenna assembly603processes the control signal and sends the processed control signal to the UAV601. The UAV601executes flight operation according to the processed control signal.

In one application scenario, the UAV601sends an image signal to the antenna assembly603. The antenna assembly603processes the image signal by amplifying the image signal. The antenna assembly may also send the amplified image signal to the external device602.

The external device602may include, but is not limited to, a remote controller, a wristband, a watch, VR glasses, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or any combination thereof.

In one application scenario, the antenna assembly603processes a control signal by amplifying the control signal. The antenna assembly603may be stationary with respect to the external device602and may also be moving with respect to the external device602, which is not limited by the present disclosure. In another application scenario, the antenna assembly603may be integrated in the external device602.

The structure, the operation principle, and the function of the antenna assembly603have been described in detail in the embodiments of the present disclosure and will not be repeated herein.

During the operation of the UAV601, the external device602sends the control instruction for controlling the operation of the UAV601to the antenna assembly603. The antenna assembly603amplifies the control instruction and then sends the amplified control instruction to the UAV601. The amplification principle has been described in detail in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The external device602may also send the control instruction for controlling the operation of the antenna assembly603to the antenna assembly603.

In some embodiments, the external device602may also directly transmit signals to the UAV601, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

Different from the existing technology, through adjusting the position of the antenna assembly603relative to the UAV601, the antenna of the antenna assembly603points toward the UAV601, thereby amplifying the control instruction transmitted to the UAV601. Thus, the communication distance of the UAV is extended, and the communication quality of the distant UAV is improved.

The foregoing descriptions are merely some implementation manners of the present disclosure, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may be modified or equivalently substituted for some or all the technical features. And the modifications or substitutions do not depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.