AERPAW Air-to-ground channel sounding and multipath measurement with a UAV

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as critical for various use cases, both military and civilian. This paradigm shift is poised to revolutionize various industries and aspects of modern life, from logistics and emergency services to environmental monitoring and entertainment. However, the safety of these UAVs hinges on the availability of a reliable wireless link between the UAV and the ground infrastructure for real-time communication. To effectively harness the vast potential of UAVs with safe and reliable wireless link, it is essential to model the complex air-to-ground (A2G) channel accurately. In this work, we present an open-source channel sounder built with software-defined radios (SDRs), which enables real-time measurement and characterization of the A2G channel in scenarios with mobility. Our measurement campaign conducted in a rural area provides valuable insights into the A2G channel’s characteristics, multipath effects, and channel impairments. This work provides a foundation for the development of accurate A2G channel models that can be used to optimize the design and performance of UAV communication systems.