Advanced optimization techniques for UAS command and control (C2) communications terrestrial infrastructure

Abstract

In early 2015, Harris Corporation and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) conducted a feasibility study to assess the use of C-Band terrestrial based command and control (C2) communications as enabler of low altitude unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations along the 800 mile length of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). In this paper, we describe the use of linear programming optimization techniques, as the bases of our technical assessment and infrastructure requirements derivation for the C-Band terrestrial based C2 communications. The use of advanced linear programming techniques enabled our prescriptive analysis allowing the evaluation of various optimal and near-optimal infrastructure solutions.