Dynamic Spectrum Access radio performance for UAS ISR missions

Abstract

The growing demand for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions has created a strain on current RF bandwidth utilization and video/data transmission capabilities. Solving this problem is critical to deploying UASs in large numbers. In this paper, we introduce a theoretical ISR mission using multiple UASs communications with multiple ground terminals and dismounted soldiers. Then we describe the use of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) concepts to dynamically select radio operating frequency for the downlink (UAV-to-ground) and for the uplink (ground-to-UAV). DSA radios monitor and characterize the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum that is in use in a local area; identify available spectrum for reliable communications; and dynamically allocate spectrum usage to networking and legacy waveforms based upon a preprogrammed rule-set. We provide a detailed parametric analysis of the number of UAS links that can be supported with DSA versus the UAS mission area and the target Interference-to-Noise power Ratio (INR) in various scenarios. We determine the benefits of DSA by contrasting DSA-enabled mission versus the traditional frequency planning approach. We describe the DSA software architecture, how it is integrated into existing radios, and its application to typical ISR waveforms such as the Common Data Link (CDL).