Modern Approaches to the Organization of a Reliable Jam–resistant and Secured Satellite Communication Channel With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

At the present stage of development of unmanned aircraft systems work continues at a rapid pace to further improve their capabilities in the direction of more effective combat and special tasks.
 This is especially noticeable in two key areas: increasing the range and flight duration; reducing the physical size of the unmanned aerial vehicles.
 The combination of increasing flight duration and decreasing design characteristics significantly affects the requirements for unmanned aircraft system communication equipment and the development of a beyond line of sight satellite communication channel, which is currently considered as the main channel for transmitting intelligence, telemetry information in real time. Under existent warfighting conditions, the development of communication lines on the principle of a beyond line of sight with the use of ground or airborne relay stations, or through the introduction of additional ground control stations is virtually unjustified, due to the high dynamics of operational conditions and time constraints for decision making.
 In this context, the unmanned aerial vehicles' satellite communication channels are subject to strict requirements to ensure the combat missions are carried out successfully and safely.
 The article examines current approaches to the implementation of satellite communication channels with unmanned aerial vehicles in the context of the requirements for both on–board equipment and directly to the development of a satellite communication channel. Recommendations are given for the basic requirements for the organization of satellite duplex communication beyond line–of–sight with unmanned aerial vehicles based on geostationary (medium-altitude) high throughput satellites in the Ka frequency range.