Ultra-Wideband Air-to-Ground Propagation Channel Characterization in an Open Area

This paper studies the air-to-ground (AG) ultra-wideband (UWB) propagation channel through measurements between 3.1 GHz to 4.8 GHz using unmanned-aerial-vehicles (UAVs). Different line-of-sight (LOS) and obstructed- LOS scenarios and two antenna orientations were used in the experiments. Channel statistics for different propagation scenarios were obtained, and the Saleh-Valenzuela (SV) model was found to provide a good fit for the statistical channel model. An analytical path loss model based on antenna gains in the elevation plane is provided for unobstructed UAV hovering and moving (in a circular path) propagation scenarios.