UAV long range surveillance system based on BiQuad antenna for the Ground Control Station

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that used in long-range surveillance missions need an optimal performance of signal communication. The goal of this system is to communicate between the UAV and ground station in real time. The maximal performances characteristics of antenna such as gain, Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), impedance, polarization, and frequency are important for the UAV communication. Nowadays, antennas are easy to find, but many of them are not appropriate because the characteristic and mission of antenna are not compatible. In this research, to optimize the communications between UAV and Ground Control System (GCS), we use BiQuad antenna for telemetry. Our BiQuad antenna has a vertical polarization which is made by two loops that work in the frequency of 433 MHz and it is the best performance. For higher performance, this antenna component is made by unusual BiQuad material such as Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the reflector, Teflon cable to connect the element with RP-SMA connector, and without using RG-8 cable. BiQuad antenna simulated by using the MMANA-GAL software to analysis and simulation characteristic of antenna. The characteristic of these antenna based on the research SWR= 1.2, F/B = -0.14 dB, Impedance = 50.9 ohm, Gain = 11.24 dBi, and frequency 433 Mhz. Based on these data result, this antenna is very appropriate for UAV long-range surveillance missions.