	US 12,221,201 B2
	Ad hoc dynamic data link repeater
Gil Michael, Oak Park, CA (US)
Assigned to AeroVironment, Inc., Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by AEROVIRONMENT, INC., Simi Valley, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/071,880.
Application 17/071,880 is a continuation of application No. 15/214,425, filed on Jul. 19, 2016, granted, now 10,836,483.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/194,442, filed on Jul. 20, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0221503 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. B64B 1/40 (2006.01); B64C 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 17/78 (2006.01); H04B 1/3822 (2015.01); H04B 7/185 (2006.01); B64U 101/20 (2023.01); B64U 101/30 (2023.01); F42C 13/00 (2006.01)

CPC B64B 1/40 (2013.01) [B64C 27/02 (2013.01); B64D 17/78 (2013.01); H04B 1/3822 (2013.01); H04B 7/185 (2013.01); B64U 2101/20 (2023.01); B64U 2101/30 (2023.01); F42C 13/00 (2013.01)]

6 Claims

1. A method for ensuring communication between a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and a remote UAV controller, the method comprising:

a) launching a UAV comprising a visual sensor and a data link transceiver and a deployable data link transceiver, the deployable data link transceiver comprising a visual sensor;

b) deploying the deployable data link transceiver from the UAV in a line of sight position with a UAV controller;

c) flying the UAV into a non-line of sight position with respect to the remote UAV controller; and

d) using the deployable data link transceiver visual sensor in addition to the UAV visual sensor to provide visual information to the UAV controller, and using the deployable data link transceiver to relay the UAV visual sensor data to the remote UAV controller.