Communications

BY: ENGR. IDANIEL ILAI C. DAVID

 the communications between the UAS
control station (CS) and the UAV consist
primarily of an ‘up-link’ transmitting
command and control from the operators
to the UAV (or UAVs in multiple
operations) and a ‘down-link’ which
returns data showing UAV, including
payload, status and images from the
UAV to the CS and to any other
‘satellite’ receiving stations.
 The UAV status data is also known as
‘housekeeping’ data.
Loss of communication during operations
may result from:
 a) failure of all or part of the system due to lack of reliability,
 b) loss of line-of-sight (LOS) due to geographic features blocking the signals,
 c) weakening of received power due to the distance from the UAV to the control
station becoming too great,
 d) intentional or inadvertent jamming of the signals.
Communication Media

 The communication between the GCS and aircraft and between the aircraft and
GCS may be achieved by three different media: by radio, by fibre optics or by
laser beam. All are required to transmit data at an adequate rate, reliably and
securely. All have been attempted.
Communication Media

 By Laser

The laser method seems currently

to have been abandoned,
principally because of atmospheric
absorption limiting the range and
reducing reliability.
Communication Media

 By Fibre-optics Data transmission

by fibre-optics remains a
possibility for special roles which
require flight at low altitude, high
data rate transmission and high
security from detection and data
interception. Such a role might be
detection and measurement of
nuclear, biological or chemical
(NBC) contamination on a
battlefield ahead of an infantry
attack.
Communication Media

 By Radio Currently, the only

system known to be operative is
communication by radio between
the UAV and its controller,
directly or via satellites or other
means of radio relay.
Global navigation satellite systems
(GNSS)
 The GNSS is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and
time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where
there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The system
provides critical capabilities to military, civil and commercial users around the
world. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible to
anyone with a GPS receiver.
Global navigation satellite systems
(GNSS)
 There are currently four major GNSS systems in operation: GPS (Global
Positioning System), GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), Galileo,
and BeiDou. In this article, we will compare these four systems and highlight their
key differences and benefits.
GPS – Global Positioning System

 GPS: GPS was developed by the United States Department of Defense and
consists of a constellation of 31 satellites orbiting the Earth. It provides highly
accurate location information to users worldwide, making it the most widely used
GNSS system. GPS is free to use and has a high level of availability, as it is
continuously updated with new satellites and technology.
GLONASS

 GLONASS: GLONASS is a Russian GNSS system that consists of 24 satellites. It

is designed to complement GPS, providing similar location information with
slightly different accuracy and coverage patterns. GLONASS is particularly useful
in high-latitude regions, where it provides better accuracy and coverage than GPS.
 There are currently four major GNSS systems in operation: GPS (Global
Positioning System), GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), Galileo,
and BeiDou. In this article, we will compare these four systems and highlight their
key differences and benefits.
Galileo

 Galileo: Galileo is a GNSS system developed by the European Union and consists
of a constellation of 30 satellites. It provides highly accurate location information,
similar to GPS and GLONASS, but with several key differences. For example,
Galileo provides encrypted signals for secure use, as well as additional signals
that can improve accuracy in challenging environments, such as urban canyons.
BeiDou

 BeiDou: BeiDou is a Chinese GNSS system that consists of 35 satellites and

provides location information to users worldwide. It is designed to complement
other GNSS systems, providing additional signals and improved accuracy in
certain regions. BeiDou is particularly useful in Asia, where it provides
comprehensive coverage and improved performance compared to other GNSS
systems.
What

 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou are four major GNSS systems that provide
location and timing information to users worldwide. Each system has its own
unique benefits and limitations, and choosing the best system depends on the
specific needs and requirements of the user. For example, if you are operating in a
high-latitude region, GLONASS may be the best option. If you require secure
signals, Galileo may be the best choice. If you are operating in Asia, BeiDou may
provide the best coverage and accuracy. In many cases, using multiple GNSS
systems in combination can provide the best results, as each system can provide
complementary information to improve the overall accuracy and reliability of the
navigation solution.
Radio Communication

 Radio Range Limited by Power

Having established the radio range, as limited by LOS, and available frequencies
for the UAV system, the successful operation of the UAV communication system
will depend upon the integration of the various components of the system to
supply adequate RF energy to achieve the required range.
Radio Range Limited by Power

For this, the system designer will take into account the following factors:
1) Transmitter power output and receiver sensitivity.

2) Antenna gain

3) Path loss
Mid-air Collision (MAC) Avoidance

 Another issue which is, in effect, a communications issue is the avoidance of mid-
air collisions between UAV and other aircraft in the event that UAV are allowed to
operate in unrestricted airspace. Manned aircraft currently operating are required
to carry an avionic system known as the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance
System (TCAS) if the gross mass of the aircraft exceeds 5700 kg or it is
authorized to carry more than 19 passengers.
Communications Data Rate and
Bandwidth Usage
There are at least three systems in use to designate frequency bands:
 a) The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) designations, cover the
wide spectrum from extremely low frequencies from 3Hz up to the microwave
bands.
 b) The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) designations
were the original band ranges developed in World War 2, but do not cover the
lower radio ranges below HF.
 c) The NATO and EU Designations are the more recent series, but do not cover
the VHF and HF radio frequencies;
Communications Data Rate and
Bandwidth Usage
Communications Data Rate and
Bandwidth Usage
Communications Data Rate and
Bandwidth Usage
there is concern that military UAS are currently consuming large amounts of
communication bandwidth. If the hopes of introducing more civilian systems into
operation are to be realized, then the situation may be exacerbated

To ensure safety from inadvertent interference, there is an urgent need for a dedicated
communications band for civilian UAS. Most UAS communications currently
operate mostly within the L to C bands along with other users
NTC-National Telecommunications
Commission
 The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC; Filipino: Pambansang
Komisyon sa Telekomunikasyon) is an attached agency of the Department of
Information and Communications Technology responsible for the supervision,
adjudication and control over all telecommunications services and television and
radio networks throughout the Philippines.
Antennae types

The most usual types of antennae to be adopted for UAS are:

 a) the quarter-wave vertical antenna,
 b) the Yagi (or to give it the correct name,Yagi-Uda) antenna,
 c) the parabolic dish antenna,
 d) and less commonly, the lens antenna and the phased array rectangular
microstrip or patch antenna.
Antennae types
First-person view flying (FPV) antennas

 Frequency - most FPV setups use 5.8 GHz antennas, 5.8 GHz does have slightly
better video and audio quality than lower frequency bands due to the higher data
rate. The furthest range is expected at maximum 500 meters in ideal conditions
where nothing stands between the operator and the drone. In order to have a really
good range with 5.8 GHz, using decent FPV antennas is extremely important.
First-person view flying (FPV) antennas

 Antenna Polarization – Linear or

Circular
The first concept to understand is antenna
polarization. There are two main categories
of antennas, linearly and circularly-polarized
antennas. For this reason most of FPV drone
pilots actually get better reception when
using circular polarized (CP) FPV antennas.
First-person view flying (FPV) antennas