Xidian University researchers have come up with a proof-of-concept design that uses microwaves to wirelessly transmit power to drones mid-flight. This approach can eventually enable UAVs to fly for extremely long durations.
The team envisions to develop the platform into a land-based vehicle that can both launch drones and extend their operational range. In early tests, a car-based system was able to keep a fixed-wing drone flying for just over three hours at an altitude of around 15 meters.
The setup works by emitting microwave energy from the ground vehicle to an antenna array mounted beneath the drone, allowing energy transfer even while both are in motion. However, a major challenge lies in maintaining precise alignment between the transmitter and the drone. This requires tight coordination between GPS tracking and onboard flight control systems, the researchers noted in their study published in Aeronautical Science & Technology.
At this stage, the technology remains in its infancy. Only about 3 to 5% of the transmitted microwave energy actually reaches the drone, with most of it lost during transmission. Factors such as wind and positioning inaccuracies also cause fluctuations in the power received.
The research was led by Xidian University professor Song Liwei, an expert in antenna design and microwave wireless power transmission.
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