Digital twin modelling of open category UAV radio communications: a case study

The modeling of radio links plays a crucial role in achieving mission success of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By simulating and analyzing communication performance, operators can anticipate and address potential challenges. In this paper, we propose a full-featured UAV software-in-the-loop digit...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aláez Gómez, Daniel, Iturri López, Peio, Celaya Echarri, Mikel, Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre, Falcone Lanas, Francisco, Villadangos Alonso, Jesús, Astrain Escola, José Javier
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/48239
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/48239
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Communications
Path loss
Digital twin
Simulation
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Descripción
Sumario:The modeling of radio links plays a crucial role in achieving mission success of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By simulating and analyzing communication performance, operators can anticipate and address potential challenges. In this paper, we propose a full-featured UAV software-in-the-loop digital twin (SITL-DT) for a heavy-lifting hexacopter that integrates a radio link module based on an experimental path loss model for ‘Open’ category Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) conditions and drone-antenna radiation diagrams obtained via electromagnetic simulation. The main purpose of integrating and simulating a radio link is to characterize when the communication link can be conflicting due to distance, the attitude of the aircraft relative to the pilot, and other phenomena. The system architecture, including the communications module, is implemented and validated based upon experimental flight data.