Abstract: A method of simulating a quadcopter includes testing a plurality of quadcopter components at a plurality of operating conditions to generate one or more lookup tables for characteristics of the quadcopter components. The lookup tables are stored for quadcopter component simulation in a quadcopter simulator. When a simulated input value for a simulated quadcopter component is received in the simulator lookup table, entries corresponding to the simulated input value are read from the lookup table and simulated quadcopter component output is generated. Simulated quadcopter output to a flight controller is generated according to the simulated quadcopter component output from one or more entries of one or more lookup tables.

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: An example of a drone includes a drone chassis, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors. The drone further includes a net assembly mounted to the drone chassis. The net assembly extends above the plurality of propellers. The net assembly including a bottom portion and a plurality of upright frame members that are mounted to the bottom portion by a plurality of articulating joints.

Abstract: An autonomous quadcopter has four motors, each motor coupled to a corresponding propeller and a flight controller coupled to the four motors to provide input to the four motors to control flight. The autonomous quadcopter also has a plurality of cameras and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) controller coupled to the plurality of cameras to receive input from the plurality of cameras, determine a flightpath for the autonomous quadcopter according to the input from the plurality of cameras, and provide commands to the flight controller to direct the flight controller to follow the flightpath.

Abstract: An example of a drone includes a drone chassis, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors. The drone also includes a net assembly mounted above the drone chassis. The net assembly includes an enclosure and a hinged portion that extends upwards from the enclosure in an open position and folds down in a closed position.

Abstract: A drone includes a drone chassis, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis, and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors, the plurality of propellers extending above the drone chassis. A net assembly is mounted to the drone chassis. The net assembly extends above the plurality of propellers. The net assembly includes a frame and one or more portions of netting.

Abstract: An example of a drone includes a drone chassis extending along a plane, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors. The drone includes net assembly mounted to the drone chassis. The net assembly includes a net enclosure rotatably mounted such that an outward facing opening of the enclosure is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the drone chassis.

Abstract: A drone includes a frame and a plurality of motors attached to the frame. Each motor of the plurality of motors is connected to a respective propeller located below the frame. A tail motor is attached to the frame. The tail motor is connected to a tail propeller located above the frame. Cameras are attached to the frame and located above the frame. The cameras have fields of view extending over the plurality of propellers.

Abstract: An example of a drone includes a drone chassis extending along a plane, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors. The drone includes net assembly mounted to the drone chassis. The net assembly includes a net enclosure rotatably mounted such that an outward facing opening of the enclosure is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the drone chassis.

Abstract: An example of a drone includes a drone chassis, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors. The drone further includes a net assembly mounted to the drone chassis. The net assembly extends above the plurality of propellers. The net assembly including a bottom portion and a plurality of upright frame members that are mounted to the bottom portion by a plurality of articulating joints.

Abstract: An example of a drone includes a drone chassis, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors. The drone also includes a net assembly mounted above the drone chassis. The net assembly includes an enclosure and a hinged portion that extends upwards from the enclosure in an open position and folds down in a closed position.

Abstract: A drone includes a drone chassis, a plurality of motors attached to the drone chassis, and a plurality of propellers coupled to the plurality of motors, the plurality of propellers extending above the drone chassis. A net assembly is mounted to the drone chassis. The net assembly extends above the plurality of propellers. The net assembly includes a frame and one or more portions of netting.

Abstract: Techniques are described for the exchange of control signals between a controlled unmanned aircraft (i.e. drone) and a ground control station and for the transmission of communication signals, such as video, from the drone to the ground control station so that the signals are more difficult to intercept or jam. The video signal transmitted from the drone can be an analog RF signal employing one or more of video “scrambling”, RF signal inversion, hopping, usage of a wide frequency range and other techniques. To secure the control signals between the drone and the ground control station, techniques can include hopping, encryption and use of a wide frequency range.

Abstract: A drone includes a frame and a plurality of motors attached to the frame. Each motor of the plurality of motors is connected to a respective propeller located below the frame. A tail motor is attached to the frame. The tail motor is connected to a tail propeller located above the frame. Cameras are attached to the frame and located above the frame. The cameras have fields of view extending over the plurality of propellers.

Abstract: A method of simulating a quadcopter includes testing a plurality of quadcopter components at a plurality of operating conditions to generate one or more lookup tables for characteristics of the quadcopter components. The lookup tables are stored for quadcopter component simulation in a quadcopter simulator. When a simulated input value for a simulated quadcopter component is received in the simulator lookup table, entries corresponding to the simulated input value are read from the lookup table and simulated quadcopter component output is generated. Simulated quadcopter output to a flight controller is generated according to the simulated quadcopter component output from one or more entries of one or more lookup tables.

Abstract: An autonomous quadcopter has four motors, each motor coupled to a corresponding propeller and a flight controller coupled to the four motors to provide input to the four motors to control flight. The autonomous quadcopter also has a plurality of cameras and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) controller coupled to the plurality of cameras to receive input from the plurality of cameras, determine a flightpath for the autonomous quadcopter according to the input from the plurality of cameras, and provide commands to the flight controller to direct the flight controller to follow the flightpath.

Abstract: Techniques are described for tracking and determining a three dimensional path travelled 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: An airframe health monitoring system uses a controller to automatically determine a status of the airframe of an aircraft in real time, at power up and periodically during flight of the aircraft, based on the output of pressure sensors such as ribbon sensors and flex sensors mounted on the airframe arms and body. The controller can determine in real time whether the airframe has a fault or is damaged based on continuity measured in ribbon sensors located along the outside surfaces of the airframe. The controller can also determine a metric on the status of the airframe in real time based on arm impulses measured in flex sensors located along inside surfaces of arms of the airframe. This will lead to less expensive, more accurate, faster, automated detection of airframe faults, airframe damage and/or metrics on the health of the airframe.

Abstract: Techniques are described for the exchange of control signals between a controlled unmanned aircraft (i.e. drone) and a ground control station and for the transmission of communication signals, such as video, from the drone to the ground control station so that the signals are more difficult to intercept or jam. The video signal transmitted from the drone can be an analog RF signal employing one or more of video “scrambling”, RF signal inversion, hopping, usage of a wide frequency range and other techniques. To secure the control signals between the drone and the ground control station, techniques can include hopping, encryption and use of a wide frequency range.

Abstract: An airframe health monitoring system uses a controller to automatically determine a status of the airframe of an aircraft in real time, at power up and periodically during flight of the aircraft, based on the output of pressure sensors such as ribbon sensors and flex sensors mounted on the airframe arms and body. The controller can determine in real time whether the airframe has a fault or is damaged based on continuity measured in ribbon sensors located along the outside surfaces of the airframe. The controller can also determine a metric on the status of the airframe in real time based on arm impulses measured in flex sensors located along inside surfaces of arms of the airframe. This will lead to less expensive, more accurate, faster, automated detection of airframe faults, airframe damage and/or metrics on the health of the airframe.