UAS Communication Systems and Data Links 3

Question 1

Which encryption standard is recommended to secure UAS command and control links against unauthorized command injection?

Accepted Answer

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

Answer

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

Answer

No encryption is needed since C2 signals are one-way

Answer

DES (Data Encryption Standard)

Question 2

What is a 'ground data terminal' (GDT) in a UAS system?

Accepted Answer

The ground-based radio hardware component that handles the C2 communication link

Answer

The aircraft's main onboard flight management computer

Answer

A type of precision landing sensor mounted on the airframe

Answer

The GPS receiver unit integrated into the ground control station display

Question 3

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations typically require which communication infrastructure?

Accepted Answer

Satellite communication or cellular LTE/5G network links

Answer

Standard 2.4 GHz hobby-grade radio control transmitter

Answer

AM broadcast band radio equipment

Answer

Infrared optical data links

Question 4

What is the primary operational advantage of using cellular LTE networks for UAS command and control?

Accepted Answer

Extended range using existing nationwide infrastructure coverage

Answer

Lower latency than all other available communication technologies

Answer

No FCC or FAA approvals are required to operate

Answer

Complete immunity to jamming and all forms of RF interference

Question 5

What is 'spectrum congestion' and why does it concern UAS operators?

Accepted Answer

Too many devices competing for limited frequency bandwidth, increasing interference risk to the control link

Answer

Physical wear on antenna connectors caused by overuse in the field

Answer

Excessive mission data being stored in onboard memory

Answer

A regulatory cap on the number of UAS that may operate in a single airspace sector

Question 6

Which communication architecture extends UAS C2 beyond single-radio range by relaying signals through multiple interconnected ground stations?

Accepted Answer

Mesh network relay system

Answer

Point-to-point (P2P) direct radio link

Answer

Simplex one-way broadcast system

Answer

Frequency division multiplexing (FDM) channel scheme

Question 7

What does 'full duplex' communication mean in the context of a UAS data link?

Accepted Answer

Simultaneous bidirectional communication where uplink commands and downlink telemetry occur at the same time

Answer

Using two physically separate antennas mounted on the same ground station

Answer

One-way communication where only the aircraft transmits data

Answer

Doubling the transmitter output power to extend range