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A Survey of UAS Technologies for Command, Control, and Communication (C3)

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Abstract

The integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS) presents many challenges including airworthiness certification. As an alternative to the time consuming process of modifying the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), guidance materials may be generated that apply existing airworthiness regulations toward UAS. This paper discusses research to assist in the development of such guidance material. The results of a technology survey of command, control, and communication (C3) technologies for UAS are presented. Technologies supporting both line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight UAS operations are examined. For each, data link technologies, flight control, and air traffic control (ATC) coordination are considered. Existing protocols and standards for UAS and aircraft communication technologies are discussed. Finally, future work toward developing the guidance material is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer and Software Engineering, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA

    Richard S. Stansbury & Timothy A. Wilson

  2. Department of Aerospace Engineering, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA

    Manan A. Vyas

Authors
  1. Richard S. Stansbury
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  2. Manan A. Vyas
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  3. Timothy A. Wilson
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Correspondence to Richard S. Stansbury.

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Stansbury, R.S., Vyas, M.A. & Wilson, T.A. A Survey of UAS Technologies for Command, Control, and Communication (C3). J Intell Robot Syst 54, 61–78 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-008-9261-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-008-9261-2

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