GB2578905A

GB2578905A - Anti-drone system

Info

Publication number: GB2578905A
Application number: GB1818482.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Luen Paul
Original assignee: Martek Drones Ltd
Current assignee: Martek Drones Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2018-11-13
Publication date: 2020-06-03
Also published as: GB201818482D0

Abstract

An anti-drone system 10 comprises a detecting unit 12 and a defeating unit 14. The detecting unit 12 comprises at least one sensor 16 for detecting a drone. The defeating unit 14 comprises means for mitigating a threat of the detected drone. The detecting unit may comprise two or more Radio Frequency sensors. One sensor may be omnidirectional and a second may be a directional radio frequency sensor. An a lert may be generated if a drone crosses a geo-fence. The defeating unit may be a radio transmitter configured to transmit one or more frequencies within the communication bandwidth of a pilot and the drone. False location information may be transmitted to the drone.

Description

Anti-drone System [0001] The present invention relates to an anti-drone system.

[0002] Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft without a pilot on board. Drones can be autonomous or controlled remotely by pilots. Drones are typically controlled according radio signals issued from a radio transmitter operated by a pilot.

[0003] Drones are increasingly used commercially and recreationally. Recently, drones have been used for aerial hacking, covert listening and an invasion of privacy. These problems particularly occur around marine vessels.

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an anti-drone system comprising a detecting unit and a defeating unit, the detecting unit comprising at least one sensor for detecting a drone and the defeating unit comprising means for mitigating a threat of the detected drone.

[0006] The anti-drone system provides the advantage of detecting and defeating drones in the vicinity of the system, thereby aerial hacking, covert listening and the invasion of privacy.

The anti-drone system may be particularly beneficial for marine vessels, such as commercial or private ships or yachts.

[0007] The at least one sensor may be a radio frequency sensor. The detecting unit may comprise two or more sensors. A first of the two or more sensors may be an omnidirectional passive radio frequency sensor. A second of the two or more sensors may be a directional passive radio frequency sensor.

[0008] The detecting unit may comprise a processor. The processor may be configured to receive detection information from the at least one sensor and process the detection information. The processor may be configured to integrate received detection information from the two or more sensors. The processor may be configured to determine information about the detected drone based on the received detection information. The detecting unit comprising a plurality of sensors provides the advantage that accuracy of drone detection may be improved, and a variety of different information about the detected drone may be determined.

[0009] The detecting unit may be configured to detect a distance from the sensor to the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine a location of the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine GPS co-ordinates of the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine a bearing to the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine an altitude of the drone.

[0010] The detecting unit may be configured to track a movement of the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine an orientation of the drone. For example, the detecting unit may be configured to determine whether the drone is moving towards or away from the one or more sensors. The detecting unit may be configured to determine a speed of movement of the drone.

[0011] The detecting unit may be configured to determine a home point of the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine a make, model and/or serial number of the drone. The detecting unit may be configured to determine a location of the drone operator.

[0012] The at least one sensor may be configured to detect a drone within a predetermined sensing distance of the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may be configured to detect a drone within 3km of the at least one sensor.

[0013] The anti-drone system may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control operation of the detecting unit and the defeating unit.

[0014] The anti-drone system may comprise a user interface, preferably a graphical user interface. The user interface may be configured to display the detection information received from the detecting unit. The user interface may be configured to display the information about the detected drone, received from the processor.

[0015] The user interface may be configured to receive a user input. The user interface may be configured to receive a user input for initiating the defeating unit. The user interface may be configured to receive a user input to select automatic or manual initiation of the defeating unit.

[0016] The controller may be configured to control the sensing distance of the at least one sensor. The user interface may be configured to receive a user input for selecting a sensing distance of the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to control the sensing distance of at least one sensor according to the user input.

[0017] The detecting unit may comprise a location determining means, for example a GPS sensor, for determining a location of the detecting unit. The controller may be configured to control the sensing distance of the at least one sensor according to a location of the detecting unit. For example, if the anti-drone system is provided on a ship out at sea, the sensing distance may be 3km, whereas if the anti-drone system is provided on a ship in a harbour, the sensing distance may be shorter than 3km, for example 800m. This may prevent detection of false positives when the ship is at harbour, whilst extending the sensing distance when the ship is out at sea.

[0018] The detecting unit may be configured to generate a geo-fence. The detecting unit may be configured to detect whether a drone has entered an area defined by the geo-fence. The anti-drone system may be configured to output an alert indicating the detection of a drone entering the geo-fence area. For example, the anti-drone system may comprise an alarm that is triggered upon detection of a drone entering the geo-fence area. Additionally or alternatively, the graphical user interface may be configured to display a notification indicating the detection of a drone entering the geo-fence area.

[0019] The means for mitigating the drone threat may be configured to interrupt communications between the drone and a drone controller by occupying, preferably legally, the ISM band. Many commercial drones are configured to land or return to the pilot upon communication between the drone and the pilot being interrupted. The defeating unit thereby provides the advantage of mitigating the operations of the drone in the vicinity of the anti-drone system.

[0020] The means for mitigating the drone threat may comprise a transmitter, preferably a radio transmitter. The radio transmitter may be an active radio frequency ISM band device.

The radio transmitter may be configured to transmit one or more radio signals having a frequency that occupies a communication frequency bandwidth between the drone and the pilot. The radio transmitter may be configured to transmit a plurality of radio signals having different frequencies within the communication frequency bandwidth between the drone and the pilot. The radio transmitter may be configured to transmit a full spectrum of communication bands within the band of ISM frequencies.

[0021] The defeating unit may be configured to generate and transmit false information to the drone. The false information may be false location information. The transmitting false information to the drone may comprise transmitting a radio signal comprising false location information to the drone. This may advantageously cause the drone may move away from the anti-drone system, based on the false location information.

[0022] The anti-drone system may be provided on a marine vessel. Alternatively, the anti-drone system may be provided on land.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of defeating a drone by an anti-drone system, the method comprising detecting a drone and mitigating a threat of the detected drone.

[0024] The detecting the drone may comprise detecting a drone within a predetermined sensing distance of at least one sensor. The detecting the drone may comprise determining a location of the drone. The detecting a location of the drone may comprise determining GPS coordinates of the done. The detecting a location of the drone may comprise determining a bearing from the detecting unit to the drone. The detecting a location of the drone may comprise determining an altitude of the drone. The detecting the drone may comprise determining a distance from the at least one sensor to the drone.

[0025] The detecting the drone may comprise determining the orientation of the drone. The detecting the drone may comprise determining a speed of movement of the drone. The detecting the drone may comprise tracking movement of the drone.

[0026] The method may comprise determining a location of a pilot operating the drone. The method may comprise determining a make, model and/or serial number of the drone. The method may comprise determining a home point of the drone.

[0027] The method may comprise displaying the information about the detected drone.

[0028] The method may comprise setting the sensing distance of the at least one sensor to a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may be a user-defined distance. The method may comprise varying the sensing distance of the at least one sensor. The method may comprise determining a location of the anti-drone system. The method may comprise varying the sensing distance of the at least one sensor according to the location of the anti-drone system.

[0029] The method may comprise generating a geo-fence around the anti-drone system. The method may comprise outputting an indication when it is detected that a drone enters the space defined by the geo-fence. The outputting an indication may comprise sounding an alarm and/or outputting a visual indication.

[0030] The method may comprise receiving a user input to initiate the process of mitigating the drone threat. Alternatively, the method may comprise automatically initiating the process of mitigating the drone threat when a drone is detected. The method may comprise receiving a user input to select automatic or manual initiation of the process of mitigating the drone threat.

[0031] The mitigating the drone threat may comprise interrupting communications between the drone and a drone controller by occupying, preferably legally, the ISM band. The mitigating the drone threat may comprise invoking "return to home" or "land safely" functions in the drone. The mitigating the drone threat may comprise transmitting one or more radio signals. The one or more radio signals may have a frequency that occupies the communication frequency band between the drone and the pilot. The method may comprise transmitting a plurality of radio signals having different frequencies within the communication frequency band between the drone and the pilot. The method may comprise transmitting a full spectrum of communication bands within the band of ISM frequencies.

[0032] The method may comprise transmitting false information to the drone. The false data may be false location information.

[0033] Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0034] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: [0035] Figure 1 shows an anti-drone system.

[0036] As shown in figure 1, an anti-drone system 10 comprises a detecting unit 12 and a defeating unit 14. The detecting unit 12 comprises a plurality of antennae 16, for detecting a drone. The plurality of antennae 16 comprise an omnidirectional passive radio frequency sensor 16A and a directional passive radio frequency sensor 16B.

[0037] The detecting unit 12 comprises a processor (not shown) for receiving information from the antennae and processing the information.

[0038] The anti-drone system 10 comprises a controller (not shown), an electronic device 22 and a user interface 24. The user interface comprises a display.

[0039] The defeating unit 14 comprises an active radio frequency ISM band device. The defeating unit comprises a plurality of transmitters 26 for transmitting radio signals to mitigate the threat of a detected drone. The plurality of transmitters 26 are configured to transmit radio signals having various frequencies, within the ISM band. A first transmitter 26A is configured to transmit a radio signal of approximately 5.8 GHz and a second transmitter 26B is configured to transmit a radio signal of approximately 2.4 GHz.

[0040] The processor is configured to combine detection information received by the plurality of sensors 16 to determine information about the detected drone, including any, or any combination of location of the drone, speed and direction of travel, make model and serial number of the drone, drone operator position.

[0041] The processor 18 is configured to transmit the information about the detected drone to the electronic device 22. The electronic device may be a PC or laptop computer. The electronic device is configured communicate with the user interface 24, and to control the user interface to display the received information about the detected drone on the user interface 24.

[0042] The electronic device 22 is configured to communication with the controller and to transmit instructions to the controller to initiate a drone mitigation sequence.

[0043] The anti-drone system is configured to operate in a manual mode or in an automatic mode. The user interface 24 is configured to receive a user input for selecting the operating mode. In the manual mode, the user interface 24 is configured to receive a user input to request initiation of the drone mitigation sequence. Upon receiving the user input to request initiation of the drone mitigation sequence, the electronic device 22 is configured to transmit instructions to the controller to initiate the drone mitigation sequence. In the automatic mode, the electronic device 22 is configured to transmit instructions to the controller to initiate the drone mitigation sequence upon receiving a signal from the detecting unit 12 indicating the detection of a drone.

[0044] The plurality of sensors 16 are configured to detect a drone within a predetermined sensing distance of the sensors. The sensing distance of the plurality of antennae is variable, and can be controlled by the controller. The detecting unit can thereby generate a geo-fence, wherein the detecting distance is set to a predetermined distance. The anti-drone system 10 comprises an alarm or visual indicator (not shown) that is configured to output an alert if the detecting unit detects that a drone enters the area defined by the geo-fence.

[0045] The defeating unit 14 is configured to generate and transmit false information to the drone. The false information may be false location information. The user interface 24 is configured to receive a user input to initiate transmission of false location information and the electronic device 22 is configured to transmit instructions to the controller to initiate transmission of false location information in response to the user input being received at the user interface 24.

[0046] The anti-drone system 10 combines the plurality of sensors 16 to provide accurate information regarding a detected drone. The defeating unit 14 is configured to transmit a plurality of radio signals of different frequencies to effectively mitigate the drone threat by interrupting communication between the drone and the pilot by legally occupying the ISM band. The anti-drone system 10 thereby provides an effective and reliable means for mitigating the threat of aerial hacking, covert listening and invasion of privacy by drones in the vicinity of a property such as a marine vessel.

[0047] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0049] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0050] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anti-drone system comprising a detecting unit and a defeating unit, the detecting unit comprising at least one sensor for detecting a drone and the defeating unit comprising means for mitigating a threat of the detected drone.
2. The anti-drone system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit comprises two or more sensors and wherein the two or more sensors are radio frequency sensors.
3. The anti-drone system according to claim 2, wherein the detecting unit comprises a processor configured to receive detection information from the two or more sensors, and combine this information to determine information about the detected drone.
4. The anti-drone system according to claim 3, wherein the anti-drone system further comprises a graphical user interface configured to display the information about the detected drone.
5. The anti-drone system according to claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to receive a user input to initiate operation of the defeating system to mitigate the threat of the detected drone.
6. The anti-drone system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a drone within a predetermined sensing distance of the at least one sensor, wherein the sensing distance is variable.
7. The anti-drone system according to any preceding claim, wherein the detecting unit is configured to generate a geo-fence and is configured to activate an alert upon the at least one sensor detecting a drone crossing the geo-fence.
8. The anti-drone system according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for mitigating the threat of the detected drone comprises a radio transmitter.
9. The anti-drone system according to claim 8, wherein the radio transmitter is configured to transmit one or more radio signals having a frequency that occupies a communication frequency bandwidth between the drone and the pilot.
10. The anti-drone system according to claim 9, wherein the radio transmitter is configured to transmit a plurality of radio signals having different frequencies within the communication frequency bandwidth between the drone and the pilot.
11. The anti-drone system according to any preceding claim, wherein the defeating unit is configured to generate and transmit false location information to the drone.
12. A method of detecting and defeating a drone by an anti-drone system comprising detecting a drone, and mitigating a threat of the detected drone.
13. The method according to claim 12, comprising, after the detecting a drone, transmitting detection information to a processor, and combining, by the processor, the received detection information, to determine information about the detected drone.
14. The method according to claim 13, comprising displaying, on a user interface, the determined information about the detected drone.
15. The method according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the mitigating the threat of the detected drone comprises transmitting a radio signal having a frequency that occupies a communication frequency bandwidth between the drone and the pilot.