Analysis of Communication Protocols of UAV Control Sets

Abstract

This article explores control signal protocols for controlling UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). It is aimed at commercially available UAVs that are intended for high-quality private or affordable professional use, but at the same time operate in the 2.4 GHz license-free band. Representatives of control sets with different types of communication protocols were selected for the measurement so that they could be compared. The initial measurement revealed the behavior of the control signals (modulation type, security, FH (Frequency Hopping), existence of a return channel...), thereby creating three different groups of control devices for measurement. Only some control units can actively react to interference. The communication protocols of the UAV control sets are designed to be able to ensure a reliable connection in an environment where unintentional collisions can occur relatively often. The analysis of the control protocol took place on the basis of the interference of a very small part of the frequency spectrum (one channel intended for FH) and the subsequent analysis of the behavior of this interference. The knowledge gained about the ability to avoid collisions in the spectrum can be used to create effective intentional jamming in the future.