Deployable radio units

Abstract

A radio system can have an antenna interface unit (AIU), a processor controller unit (PCU), and an interface cable. The AIU can be coupled to one or more antennae and can be configured to receive signals and/or convert the signals to digital signals. The PCU can be coupled to the AIU. The PCU can be configured to receive the analog signals via the interface cable, which can be configured to convey signals according to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and RF protocols. The interface cable can be configured to provide power from the PCU to the AIU. The PCU can include a contactor controller for protecting against reverse polarity DC power connection.

1 . A radio system, comprising:
 an antenna interface unit (AIU) coupled to at least one antenna, the AIU configured to receive analog signals, filter the analog signals, and amplify the analog signals; and   an interface cable; and   a processor controller unit (PCU) coupled to the AIU, the PCU configured to receive the analog signals via the interface cable and convert the analog signals into digital signals,   wherein a length of the interface cable is automatically calculated,   wherein a signal gain is automatically amplified to compensate for signal power loss across the interface cable based on the interface cable length, and   wherein the interface cable is configured to provide power from the PCU to the AIU.   
     
     
         2 . The radio system according to  claim 1 , wherein the AIU further comprises a high band RF conditioning unit, a low band RF conditioning unit, and a transmission power amp. 
     
     
         3 . The radio system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the interface cable is configured to convey an analog RF signal, and   wherein the analog RF signal includes a global positioning system (GPS) signal.   
     
     
         4 . The radio system according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCU is further configured to perform digital signal processing to analyze signals detected by the AIU. 
     
     
         5 . The radio system according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCU further comprises a contactor controller including a high voltage regulator and a reverse-biased diode. 
     
     
         6 . The radio system according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the interface cable is automatically calculated by measuring a voltage drop across the interface cable. 
     
     
         7 . The radio system according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCU further comprises a processor control module having RF componentry, and wherein the RF componentry is isolated from the processor control module by an RF mezzanine. 
     
     
         8 . The radio system according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCU further comprises a contactor controller configured to prevent power spikes and power loss within the radio system when switched between an AC power supply and DC power supply. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A radio system, comprising:
 an antenna operable to detect RF emissions from an unmanned aerial system (UAS);   an antenna interface unit (AIU) coupled to the antenna, the AIU configured to receive an analog RF signal from the antenna;   a processor control unit (PCU) configured to receive the analog signal from the AIU and convert the analog signal to a digital signal; and   an interface cable connecting the AIU to the PCU, the interface cable operable to convey power and RF signals between the AIU and the PCU.   
     
     
         12 . The radio system according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a software defined radio (SDR) configured to receive and transmit signals according to different radio protocols and/or waveforms.   
     
     
         13 . The radio system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the AIU is connected to a high band RF antenna, a low band RF antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna, and a global positioning system (GPS) antenna, and   the PCU comprises an Ethernet switch.   
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 providing a radio system including an antenna, an antenna interface unit (AIU) coupled to the antenna, and a processor controller unit (PCU) in communication with the AIU;   detecting, via the radio system, RF emissions from an unmanned aerial system (UAS) in restricted airspace; and   delivering, via the radio system, a non-kinetic, nonattributable RF-based signal to the UAS.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the detecting step further comprises:
 receiving an analog signal at the AIU;   transmitting the analog signal from the AIU to the PCU;   converting the analog signal into a digital signal; and   performing digital signal processing to analyze the digital signal.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 connecting the PCU and AIU via an interface cable;   providing power from the PCU to the AIU through the interface cable; and   conveying a signal through the interface cable, the signal selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi signal, an Ethernet signal, and an analog RF signal.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising automatically calculating a length of an interface cable connecting the PCU and AIU by measuring a voltage drop across the interface cable. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising automatically amplifying a signal gain to compensate for signal power loss across an interface cable connecting the PCU and AIU. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising preventing, with a contactor controller, reverse polarity in the radio system,
 wherein the contactor controller includes a high voltage regulator and a reverse-biased diode.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 performing, via global positioning system (GPS) signals, RF triangulation of the UAS;   performing high band filtering and low band filtering; and   excluding signals outside of known UASs.   
     
     
         21 . The radio system according to  claim 11 , wherein a length of the interface cable is automatically calculated by measuring a voltage drop across the interface cable. 
     
     
         22 . The radio system according to  claim 11 , wherein the PCU further comprises a contactor controller configured to prevent power spikes and power loss within the radio system when switched between an AC power supply and DC power supply.