Disposable lightweight fiber-optic spool for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV]

The innovative concept of our disposable fiber-optic spool for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is that it is directly mounted onto the airborne drone. The deployable side of the spool is connected to the control station while the stationary fiber is connected to the UAV. Thus the fiber doesn’t suffer any constraint and is never a leash for the drone as it deploys while the drone flies. Maneuvering in circles, in reverse, or around obstacles is not a problem.

This special technology offers highspeed deployment (>150 km/h) over long distances of up to 30 km! In addition, it is intrinsically insensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI), making it immune to radio jamming. As a result, the optical fiber ensures permanent realtime communication between the drone and the control station.

Very compact and lightweight, the RBOB-UAVL solution is specificaly designed to be lighter than all our other spools, to meet more specific payload requirements and be adapted to a maximum number of drone sizes.

The solution is available in one package, whatever the spool capacity. Only the weight will change: 20 km fiber length and a weight of 3.25 kg or 30 km fiber length and a weight of 3.9 kg.

The RBOB-UAVL is a disposable system, meaning that there is no possibility to reuse the deployed fiber. However, the fiber can be easily reconnected on the field with a simple field connectorization kit.

This concept has the potential for many civilian applications. Indeed, this technology enables real-time transmission of huge data flows from on-board high-resolution cameras and sensors. It also enables drone guidance without the use of radio waves. Possible uses range from 4K broadcasting.

Note: both the drone and the control station need to be equipped with an opto-electronic device, not supplied.