Evaluations of UAV-enabled FSO Communications in the Arctic

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of using free space optics (FSO) for communication between multiple hovering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a detection unit (DU) in the Arctic. The uniqueness that sets apart UAV-based FSO systems from conventional FSO systems is the dynamics of the system since location and inclination of the UAV changes over time due to wind load and UAV oscillations. The envisioned scenario consists of UAVs equipped with laser diodes and a DU mounted on top of a ship. We propose an application scenario of search and rescue (SAR) operations in the High North. In the system design, the SAR team establishes communication with UAVs using radio frequency multiple-access links while DU demodulates the information from the incoming FSO fronthaul signals. Furthermore, statistical models for the FSO channel, random position and orientation fluctuations, snow, and fog have been derived. This work amplifies the need and possibility of enabling enhanced accessibility and connectivity in the Arctic utilizing UAVs and FSO.