Longe Range Communication System for Small UAVs

Transcription

1 Longe Range Communication System for Small UAVs Proposal for Master Thesis in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering Supervisor: André C. Marta, CCTAE, IDMEC November 2016

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3 Enquadramento MEAer - Área de especialização: Aviónica Objectives This work addresses the design and implementation of the communication system for a long range UAV. It is part of an on-going team project to design a long endurance electric UAV, whose surveillance mission includes an endurance of eight hours and range in excess of hundred kilometers. Its focus is both the remote control and telemetry systems, with emphasis on the long range capability, being the communication support choice paramount. As such, different technologies are to be benchmarked, taking into account range, reliability, on-board power consumption and cost, to categorized possible solutions and select the best that meets the requirements. In the end, the designed system is to be implemented and flight tested in an existing fixed wing UAV to demonstrate their real capabilities. Description To meet the goals proposed, the work should be composed of the following main tasks: Bibliography Review Literature research about UAV control and communication, in particular for application to small UAVs. Problem Definition Detailed definition of a representative scenario, including details about terrain obstacles and distance covered, and communication system performance metrics. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Benchmark of Solutions Survey of existing solutions for communication systems, including both static and tracking directional ground antennas. Selection of appropriate communication system architecture. Tracking Algorithms Conceptual definition of UAV tracking algorithms to be implemented in the ground station. Identification of required data, and definition of necessary hardware. System Implementation Acquisition of the selected hardware and implementation of the complete designed 1

4 communication architecture in an existing fixed wing UAV platform. Estimated time: 8 weeks. System Demonstration Bench tests and flight tests of the implemented solution. Real-time assessment of performance metrics. Thesis Write-up Write-up of the dissertation thesis and corresponding oral presentation support material. The different technical topics covered should be described in detail, and a rigorous presentation is expected, both in visual and verbal terms, in a document logically structured. Estimated time: 5 weeks. Requirements The work proposed requires knowledge covered in the following courses: Programming Sensors and Systems Instrumentation and Measurement Navigation Systems Autonomous Systems Digital Signal Processing Telecommunications Antennas and Propagation The list mentioned is only illustrative of the scientific content of the work to be executed, it does not represent mandatory requirements. As such, the student that shows interest in this proposal is advised to previously discuss it with the supervisor. Calendar The work will be developed during 6 months, in accordance to the active MSc program. During this period, the student is expected to meet weekly with the supervisor to report the status of progress and discuss ideas or doubts. The student will have freedom to manage the time in the way it suits him best but a calendar will be suggested to accomplish the tasks described above. 2

5 Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Bibliography Review 3 Table 1: Proposed Calendar. Problem Definition Benchmark of Solutions Tracking Algorithms System Implementation System Demonstration Thesis Write-up