Reliable 4G/5G-Based Communications in the National Airspace: a UAS C2 use case

Abstract

This paper describes a research approach and initial results on the potential use of the fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network architecture and its fifth-generation (5G) evolution for specific aeronautical communications. A modeling and simulation (M&S) framework that MITRE developed was used to support the technical analyses performed as part of this research effort.Our research is focused on understanding how the performance of LTE-based networks, developed for terrestrial use, will be affected by the introduction of small Unmanned Aircraft (UA). The integration of small UA (sUA) and terrestrial users within the same network could be challenging because of their different communications needs and mobility characteristics.A rapidly increasing number of UA Systems (UAS) operators, especially operators of small UAS (sUAS), are requesting access to the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) for complex UA operations beyond the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the remote pilot in command. To safely support such large-scale, beyond-VLOS (BVLOS) operations, reliable UAS command and control (C2) solutions are needed.This paper describes use case scenarios, analysis methodologies, and results of our analyses on the use of LTE to support sUAS operations. Results are presented for sUA C2 links in rural and urban environments, which have markedly different radio signal propagation characteristics. Also presented and analyzed are scenarios involving wide geographic areas with both sUA and terrestrial users sharing the resources of an LTE-based network. In addition, a few 5G network architecture considerations are discussed in the context of our research.