While many countries are experimenting with laser systems such as anti-drone weapons, Professor Li Xuelong and his team of researchers from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in Xi'an, China, approached the topic from another perspective. Chinese researchers have in fact discovered a way to use high-energy laser beams to remotely power drones, keeping them in the air "virtually forever".
The scientists' initial thesis was that if a drone were equipped with a technology that transforms light into electrical energy, a high-power laser could not only trace its path, but also power it from afar. And the facts proved him right.
The NPU's multidisciplinary team, specializing in artificial intelligence, optics and electronics, said a recent experiment demonstrated how autonomous charging could be combined with intelligent signal transmission and processing technology. Thus offering optical drones (ODDs) virtually unlimited endurance.
A systematic review
Scientists have presented a system that allows drones to be monitored 24 hours a day and to have long-range flight autonomy. To achieve this, they have developed an algorithm that can detect and track optical drones precisely. And when I say "accuracy," I mean despite variations in light, scale, and rotation. According to the report, this algorithm was effective in different environmental situations and was able to provide precise drone positioning.
Li and his team were faced with a major challenge: how to extend the range of wireless power transmission without losing too much power along the way? Their innovative solution was to use an adaptive modeling technology of laser beams, capable of automatically adjusting their intensity to minimize attenuation in the atmosphere.
Thanks to this system, the negative impacts caused by air turbulence and density changes in the atmosphere can be reduced. And this makes the transmission of energy with long-distance laser beams more effective and reliable. Furthermore, a protection algorithm has also been added, which automatically adjusts the laser power to keep it within safe levels in the event of obstacles along the way.
The team conducted three successful test flights: indoor flight, outdoor day flight and outdoor night flight. Drones have been proven to perform well in all conditions.
Drones powered by laser beams, possible applications
The research team kept details about the capability of their new photoelectric conversion system under wraps. Because? Of course, the technology has potential military uses. However, an animated representation shown in their report suggested that optical drones (ODDs) powered by laser beams could fly up to the height of a skyscraper.
Drones are already widely used in different applications. First of all, unfortunately, the military ones: but also agricultural and commercial applications. However, if their limits of resistance are exceeded, they could pave the way for new possibilities in the world. We could save precious time during rescue missions, such as searching for tourists trapped in floods. “Eternal” drones also come in handy for contactless traffic control, security and logistics.
In the future, large drones may even become air buses to build a three-dimensional traffic network. In the meantime, however, I know so much that we will see the laser beams at work to feed swarms of military drones.
