M.S. Shishkin1, D.M. Didenko2

1,2 JSC «AIRBURG» (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

1 Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

1 m.shishkin@air-burg.ru, 2 d.didenko@air-burg.ru

This article presents an analysis of existing analytical and empirical methods and models for assessing radio communication distance and highlights their limitations and shortcomings when applied to unmanned aerial systems. A comprehensive method is proposed for estimating the communication distance between a ground data terminal and the onboard communication equipment of unmanned systems with a specified availability factor. This method enables calculations (forecasts) for any communication parameters and radio wave propagation conditions. The paper also presents the results of an experimental evaluation of communication distance and compares them with the calculated results, confirming the validity of the calculations. The proposed method can be applied to the design of UAS communication systems, the planning of UAV flight missions, the development of certification standards for unmanned systems, and the assessment and optimization of UAV communication coverage areas to reduce the detection range of reconnaissance and monitoring equipment.

Shishkin M.S., Didenko D.M.  Methods computational and experimental assessment of the guaranteed communication distance between a ground control station and an UAV. Achievements of modern radioelectronics. 2025. V. 79. № 10. P. 49–59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j20700784-202510-07 [in Russian]

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