The System Design of a Global Communications System for Military and Commercial use Utilizing High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Terrestrial Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) Sites

This thesis proposes the design of the UAV-LMDS communication system for military and commercial use. The UAV-LMDS system is a digital, wireless communication system that provides service using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying at 60,000 ft. acting as communication hubs. This thesis provides background information on UAV-LMDS system elements, a financial analysis, theory, link budgets, system component design and implementation issues. To begin the design, we develop link budgets that are used to characterize system parameters. We present detailed antenna designs for the antennas aboard the UAV. We also present communication equipment block diagrams. Included are technical details on military and commercial geostationary satellites used to link transmissions in the system. Implementation issues in the military system are discussed. Mobility and the effects of vegetation in the propagation path are investigated and a co-channel interference study is done. This thesis shows that by using UAVs and LMDS, a viable, broadband, wireless communications system can be created for military and commercial use.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Banks, Bradley

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Bostian, Charles W.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Pratt, Timothy J.
• Boyle, Robert J.

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Broadband Communication Services
• Communication System Design
• LMDS
• Drone aircraft
• Local Multipoint Distribution Service

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05112000-15400015

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/32556