Detection distances for low-altitude UAV networks
Publish date: 2022-10-04
Report number: FOI-R--5339--SE
Pages: 29
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- UAV
- ad hoc network
- detection distance
- Lomben
- Detvag
Abstract
The report presents estimated detection distances for tactical networks that utilize lowaltitude UAVs. A tactical network supported by low-altitude UAVs could potentially support significantly higher datarates than current tactical UHF-based ground networks due to line-of-sight links between UAVs. An enemy electronic warfare unit, however, also benefits from the elevated postions of the UAVs and it is important that the increased datarates do not lead to significantly increased risk of detection. Link budget calculations have therefore been used to estimate the distance at which a ground-based electronic warfare unit can detect the UAV network. Research questions that are answered in the report is the impact of UAV altitude on detection distance and how the results compare to estimated detection distances for a UHF-based ground network. The results indicate that the detection distances of the UAV network is comparable to those of the UHF network, given that the UAV altitude can be kept low, preferably around 30 meters above ground