The following section outlines the basic assembly and operation of the tripod-mounted sector antenna.
The tripod-mounted sector antenna extends the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) range by up to 40 km. It has a horizontal field of view (beamwidth) of 120 degrees and a vertical field of view of 12 degrees. For standard operation, the antenna requires a Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP.
Mount and secure the sector antenna on the provided tripod.
At the top of the tripod pole, there are ridges that fit the antenna holder, providing more stability for the antenna mount.
Extend the antenna away from the tripod pole during the radio installation.
Connect the battery to the Silvus StreamCaster as described here.
The Tripod-Mounted Sector Antenna comes with two coaxial antenna cables. Connect the smaller coaxial plugs to the RF Ports (G) of the Silvus StreamCaster.
Velcro is attached to the back of the Silvus handheld radio. Install the radio onto the corresponding Velcro on the backside of the sector antenna.
Connect the other end of the antenna cables to the RF ports of the sector antenna.
Special care must be taken when connecting the antenna cables to the Silvus handheld radio and the sector antenna. Ensure that the connection is secure and that the plugs are fully seated.
Connect the Silvus breakout cable to the Silvus StreamCaster as described here.
Please follow these steps to establish a connection between the GCS and the vehicle.
For general information and tips on radio range and line-of-sight operation, please read here.
The optimal angle for a sector antenna to operate effectively with a drone depends on several factors, including the antenna’s beamwidth and the drone’s flight path. A sector antenna typically has a directional beam covering a specific angular range, known as the beamwidth.
The provided tripod-mounted sector antenna has a horizontal beamwidth of 120 degrees and a vertical beamwidth of 12 degrees.
The vertical angle of the sector antenna can be changed by adjusting the lower extender arm. It features a degree scale for precise adjustments.
Consider the following:
Antenna Beamwidth: Sector antennas have a defined beamwidth within which the main lobe of the radiation pattern operates. Align the antenna so that the main lobe covers the area where the drone is expected to operate most frequently.
Drone Flight Path: Take into account the expected flight path of the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical. If the drone will operate within a specific sector, align the antenna to cover that sector. It’s common to point the sector antenna slightly upward, depending on the drone’s altitude.
Altitude Changes: If the drone is expected to fly at various altitudes, adjust the tilt of the sector antenna to ensure consistent coverage across different heights.
Here is a table showing the necessary elevation angles (in degrees) for the antenna at different altitudes (HGT - relative to the takeoff location) and distances from the GCS, assuming that the GCS and antenna are placed close to each other near the takeoff location (values can be rounded up or down):
This table gives the required vertical alignment for the sector antenna to cover the vehicle flying at altitudes between 500 meters and 5500 meters at varying distances (10 km, 20 km, 30 km, and 40 km).
The following is a graph representing the necessary antenna elevation angles for different altitudes and distances from the GCS. The x-axis shows the distance from the GCS, and the y-axis shows the corresponding elevation angles in degrees for various altitudes ranging from 500m to 5500m. Each line represents a specific altitude and shows how the required elevation angle changes as the UAV moves farther from the GCS.
Obstructions: Be aware of any potential obstructions between the antenna and the drone. Adjust the antenna angle to avoid obstacles and maintain a clear line of sight.
Coverage Area: Determine the desired coverage area and adjust the sector antenna’s angle accordingly. Sector antennas are typically used to cover specific sectors of a 360-degree area.
| Altitude (m) | 10 km Distance | 20 km Distance | 30 km Distance | 40 km Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
500
2.86°
1.43°
0.95°
0.72°
1000
5.71°
2.86°
1.91°
1.43°
1500
8.53°
4.29°
2.86°
2.15°
2000
11.31°
5.71°
3.81°
2.86°
2500
14.04°
7.13°
4.76°
3.58°
3000
16.70°
8.53°
5.71°
4.29°
3500
19.29°
9.93°
6.65°
5.00°
4000
21.80°
11.31°
7.59°
5.71°
4500
24.23°
12.68°
8.53°
6.42°
5000
26.57°
14.04°
9.46°
7.13°
5500
28.81°
15.38°
10.39°
7.83°
