Master Thesis Skeldar UAV

Work description Saab is currently developing a small rotary wing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) called Skeldar.The system consists of an air vehicle and a ground station.Although the UAV shall be able to operate autonomously, it still needs reliable data links.The air vehicle sends status information and sensor data to the ground station, and the ground station sends commands to the air vehicle. Status information and commands are normally transmitted on a narrowband UHF link, and a broadband link is used for sensor data (examples of sensors are video camera, IR camera and radar).It is important that the communication links are resistant to interference, including multipath propagation and jamming (both intentional and unintentional). One way to improve performance of the communication link is to use a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna and transceiver system.Benefits of this approach for Skeldar should include more reliable communication through the use of beamforming and spatial diversity. The thesis work should include design and implementation of a simulation environment for a MIMO system, using appropriate channel models.The simulation environment should be used to support evaluation of the system's performance, e.g.in the presence of multipath propagation and interfering transmission.Of special interest is the situation where the UAV is flying at relatively low altitudes.It is also interesting to investigate how the system behaves at different frequencies.The simulation environment shall initially be studied by use of Matlab, and finally it shall be implemented using C/C++. Qualifications The proposed master thesis should be suitable for engineering students on the D, E and Y programs with interest in communication systems.Starting date: October 1st 2008 or later. For more information, please contact: Last date for applications 2008-08-31 Saab Aerosystems Saab Aerosystems erbjuder avancerade flygsystem, delsystem och tjänster, under produktens livscykel, till kunder inom försvar och myndigheter samt flygindustrier på världsmarknaden. Apply for this vacancy