Abstract: A wireless power initiated test system can use an aircraft controller to automatically initiate a test sequence to determine status of systems of the aircraft, based on the detection of receipt of the wireless power at the aircraft. The detection of receipt of the wireless power at the aircraft can be based on the detection at a voltage regulator of the aircraft which is receiving the wireless power from a wireless power receiver of the aircraft. The system may also power the aircraft controller during the test sequence using the wireless power received. Such a system may quickly and efficiently initiate, power and perform a pre-flight test sequence to determine statuses of systems of the aircraft, such as during a competition or race of the aircraft. The system may apply to drones, as well as of other types of aircraft.

Abstract: A wireless power initiated test system can use an aircraft controller to automatically initiate a test sequence to determine status of systems of the aircraft, based on the detection of receipt of the wireless power at the aircraft. The detection of receipt of the wireless power at the aircraft can be based on the detection at a voltage regulator of the aircraft which is receiving the wireless power from a wireless power receiver of the aircraft. The system may also power the aircraft controller during the test sequence using the wireless power received. Such a system may quickly and efficiently initiate, power and perform a pre-flight test sequence to determine statuses of systems of the aircraft, such as during a competition or race of the aircraft. The system may apply to drones, as well as of other types of aircraft.

Abstract: Techniques are described for tracking and determining a three dimensional path traveled by controlled unmanned aircraft (i.e. drones) or other moving objects. By monitoring the strength of communication signals transmitted by an object, the strength of control signals received by the object, and altitude data generated by the object, its three dimensional path is determined. For example, these techniques can be applied to racing drones to determine their positions on a course. An end gate structure for such a course that can automatically transmit disable signals to the drones upon completing the course is also described.

Abstract: A communication system is used to receive information from mobile sources. The system includes a plurality of antennas including multiple disjoint sets of multiple antennas configured to receive signals from the multiple mobile sources. At least a subset of the antennas have coverage areas that overlap with antennas in another set of the multiple disjoint sets of multiple antennas. The communication system also includes multiple receivers and multiple signal paths including one signal path for each set of multiple antennas. Each signal path is configured to provide outputs from a corresponding set of multiple antennas of the multiple disjoint sets of antennas to each of the multiple receivers. Each of the receivers choose to output information from one or more of the signal paths based on one or more characteristics of the signals received from the signal paths.

Abstract: A communication system is used to receive information from mobile sources. The system includes a plurality of antennas including multiple disjoint sets of multiple antennas configured to receive signals from the multiple mobile sources. At least a subset of the antennas have coverage areas that overlap with antennas in another set of the multiple disjoint sets of multiple antennas. The communication system also includes multiple receivers and multiple signal paths including one signal path for each set of multiple antennas. Each signal path is configured to provide outputs from a corresponding set of multiple antennas of the multiple disjoint sets of antennas to each of the multiple receivers. Each of the receivers choose to output information from one or more of the signal paths based on one or more characteristics of the signals received from the signal paths.