Cellular telephony
US11184082B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/042
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communications base station is mounted on an aircraft such as a drone or a tethered balloon to provide wireless coverage over a remote area. The use of an airborne device allows a much wider coverage area to be served by one base station, and therefore one backhaul connection, than would be possible by ground based antennas. Power and maintenance savings are achieved as the aircraft is launched only when activity is detected on the ground in the area of coverage, and returns to a ground station when such activity ceases. Activity may be detected for example by sensors on a highway identifying vehicles approaching the coverage area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.