The Use of High-Gain Antennas on Airborne Platforms AUVSI Cascade Chapter AUVSI Spring Symposium 2013 Seattle, WA 17 April 2013 Presented by: Tom Perkowski, Director of Sales Written By: Jeff Hopkins, Chief Technology Officer

Overview & Objective Interoperability Types of Data Links Objectives & Challenges with LOS Improving the Link Omni v. Directional Operational Costs Summary 2 Objective describe the advantages of using high-gain tracking antennas on airborne platforms to improve performance of LOS data links

Interoperability Interoperability  working together Limit the use of RF spectrum to that required for your mission Improve availability  higher yields from mission “Both Iraq and Afghanistan produced examples of an environment where nearly anything that was turned on interfered with something else” Fulghum, David. "Untangling the Electromagnetic Traffic Jam." Aviation Week. N.p., 28 June

Types of Data Links LOS digital microwave link with omni or directional antenna OTH low, medium and high resolution satellite link with tracking antenna Focus of talk – increase capability & lower mission cost 4 LOS = Line of Sight OTH = Over the Horizon

Objectives for LOS Data Links 1.Easy to deploy 2.High data rates 3.High availability 4.Low latency 5.Local control – closed system 6.No hourly cost 5

Challenges with LOS Data Links Availability / breakup due to: a.Local interference b.Vehicle blocking c.Signal fade d.Lowering data rate to overcome a, b, & c above 6

Link Budget 7 Tx Power + Loss in Air (HUGE) + Antenna Gain + Antenna Gain > Receiver Threshold Sample Equation for UAV’s 1W 30dBm dB + 4 dBi + > Avg. -90 dBm -46 dBi Loss  -6dB when mileage is doubled D (NM)Loss (dB) Double Wattage  3dB increase WGain (dBm)

How Do We Make it Better? 8 Things we cannot control ● Terrain ● Intrinsic path loss ● Receiver threshold Things we can control Limiting Factors Transmitter PA Power ● Aircraft power ● Weight ● Heat ● Multipath ● Interference with other users Ground Antenna Gain ● Size & Weight ● Set-up time Airborne Antenna Gain ● Complexity ● Certification issues ● Drag

20 NM 50 NM 80 NM LOS Range Notional Improvement 9 In the Air High Gain On the Ground Omni High Gain Omni

Omni v. Directional 10 Directional Advantages Increase range with same power Minimize interference  interoperability Increase data rate by minimizing multipath effects

Operational Cost Considerations How often do you lose link? LOS links often used for real-time data – get it now or it’s lost Interference: your mission is successful – your colleague’s mission is not Multipath forces a reduction in data rate  lower quality image What is total capital investment? What is average hourly cost? What is the cost to missing that one critical moment? 11

Summary Realistically only three variables can be controlled: –Transmitter antenna gain –Transmitter power –Receiver antenna gain Omni directional best for short range, low data rate applications Directional tracking best for long range, high data rate applications Cost of data loss is measureable 12

Contact Information 13 Jeff Hopkins Chief Technology Officer Phone: Corporate Office Anza Drive Valencia, CA Fax Thomas Perkowski Director of Sales Phone: x141 VO: Cell: Virtual Office 6377 Estrella Avenue San Diego, CA Download whitepaper at (case sensitive):