Understanding Antenna Gain Requirements for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) or Other Ground Based Systems
Example Setup for Antenna Gain Estimation (UGV)
Likewise, utilizing the Throughput Estimation Tool we can create a simple profile for a Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) utilizing mini-OEM Mesh Rider Radio at 915-MHz, 20MHz bandwidth and we can start with the stock +3 dB gain antennas ( Doodle Labs, ANT-915-3-O, Multipolarized Antennas ) . This setup is shown in Fig. 9.
We can further make the assumption that this UGV is to be driven in good flight conditions such that the Fresnel Zone Clearance is the default is 60%). Furthermore, the option 'Ground level', is enabled as 'True'. The complete settings within the Throughput Estimation Tool are shown in Fig. 8 below.
Fig. 8 Example Link Budget Setup for UGV and 915-MHz mini-OEM
Example 1km Range @ 9-Mbps (UGV)
Antenna Gain Estimation
Fig. 9 Example 1km Range @ 9Mbps (UGV)
UGV and GCS Antenna Selection
- ● UGV Antenna: Doodle Labs, ANT-915-3-O, Multipolarized Antennas
- ● UGV Antenna: Gain = +3 dB
- ● GCS Antenna: Doodle Labs, AANT-915-3-O, Multipolarized Antennas
- ● GCS Antenna: Gain = +3 dB
- ● TX + RX Antenna Gain: +6 dB
Expected Range & Throughput Performance
- Range: 1.0 km (999.6 m)
- Throughput at Range: 9.3 Mbps
Example 1.5km Range @ 9-Mbps (UGV)
Antenna Gain Estimation
Fig. 10 Example 1.5km Range @ 9Mbps (UGV)
UGV and GCS Antenna Selection
- ● UGV Antenna: Mars Antennas, MA-WA-27TB-DP8B, Antenna Link
- ● UGV Antenna: Gain = +7.5 dB (Note: +7.5 dB @ 698-960 MHz, + 10 dB @ 2300-2700 MHz)
- ● GCS Antenna: Doodle Labs, AANT-915-3-O, Multipolarized Antennas
- ● GCS Antenna: Gain = +3 dB
- ● TX + RX Antenna Gain: +10.5 dB
Expected Range & Throughput Performance
- Range: 1.539 km (1539.3 m)
- Throughput at Range: 9.2 Mbps
Example 2.5km Range @ 9Mbps (UGV)
Antenna Gain Estimation
Fig. 11 Example 2.5km Range @ 9Mbps (UGV)
UGV and GCS Antenna Selection
- ● UGV Antenna: Mars Antennas, MA-WA-27TB-DP8B, Antenna Link
- ● UGV Antenna: Gain = +7.5 dB (Note: +7.5 dB @ 698-960 MHz, + 10 dB @ 2300-2700 MHz)
- ● GCS Antenna: Mars Antennas, MA-WA-27TB-DP8B, Antenna Link
- ● GCS Antenna: Gain = +7.5 dB
- ● TX + RX Antenna Gain: +15 dB
Expected Range & Throughput Performance
- Range: 2.609 km (2609.1 m)
- Throughput at Range: 9.2 Mbps
Example 6-7km Range @ 9Mbps (UGV)
Antenna Gain Estimation
Fig. 12 Example 6-7km Range @ 9Mbps (UGV)
UGV and GCS Antenna Selection
- ● UGV Antenna: Mars Antennas, MA-WC90-DS13, Antenna Link
- ● UGV Antenna: Gain = +13 dB
- ● GCS Antenna: Mars Antennas, MA-WC90-DS13, Antenna Link
- ● GCS Antenna: Gain = +13 dB
- ● TX + RX Antenna Gain: +26 dB
Expected Range & Throughput Performance
- Range: 6.810 km (6810.2 m)
- Throughput at Range: 8.9 Mbps