Experimental measurement and mathematical modeling of UAV telemetry channel behavior under radio-electronic warfare

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the resilience of telemetry modules operating in different frequency bands under radio-electronic warfare (REW) conditions, based on both experimental measurements and mathematical modeling. TBS Crossfire (868 MHz) and LoRa SX1278 (433 MHz) modules integrated with an STM32 microcontroller were tested at various distances (50 m, 100 m, 200 m) under a 10 W jamming signal. During the measurements, key telemetry parameters—including Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), effective SNR, Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), and Packet Loss Ratio (PLR)—were recorded. Within the mathematical analysis framework, the path loss model, SNR-to-SINR transition, effective SNR formulation, and modulation-dependent BER functions were systematically derived to theoretically evaluate the impact of jamming on the telemetry channel. The results demonstrate that the TBS Crossfire module exhibits significantly higher resistance to electromagnetic interference generated by REW sources, maintaining lower BER and stable effective SNR across the tested distances. In contrast, the LoRa SX1278 module experiences substantial degradation in signal quality under jamming, leading to elevated packet loss. These findings are crucial for establishing reliable design criteria for UAV telemetry systems operating in REW environments.