Beyond Line-Of-Sight UAS Communication Link Simulation

The communication link integrity of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is influenced by a number of factors, the most relevant being antenna radiation pattern and gain, receiver sensitivity, output power, terrain relief, aircraft's attitude and trajectory, and frequency band. The constraints are especially severe in the context of beyond line-of-sight and low altitude flight plan. This work presents the modeling and simulation of a typical scenario of power line inspection using UAS in order to investigate the impacts of relevant factors in the communication link through the UAV's mission on a terrain follow path. In this perspective, a case study is conducted and the simulation platform developed enables the analysis of the mission beforehand to prevent loss of link due to inappropriate flight plan. Elsewhere, alternative scenarios are considered to expand communication range.