Adyghe Int. Sci. J. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 21–35.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-21-35
EDN: JBJJBU
PHYSICS
| UDC 621.396.67 | Original Article |
Analysis of mutual coupling and stability
of airborne active phased
array antenna based on UAV swarm
Bavizhev Mikhail Danilevich
Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in Science and Technology, Full member of IAAS, Vice President, Director of the Research Center of the Joint-Stock Company Scientific and Production Enterprise “Radiy” (125057, Russia, Moscow, Chasovaya St., 28), ORCID: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-3074-5591, Mbavizhev@mail.ru
Abstract. This paper presents the results of comprehensive modeling and analysis of the stability characteristics of an airborne active phased array antenna (APAA) formed by a static swarm of 100 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to positioning errors for two operating frequencies: 230 MHz (radar) and 500 MHz (wireless video transmission). The array is arranged in a 10 × 10 rectangular grid, with simulation conducted for both frequencies with inter-element spacing of 0.9λ. The influence of random UAV positioning errors (RMS σ r = 5 cm) on key system parameters is investigated. Using statistical modeling (Monte Carlo), it is shown that at the given error level, the gain loss is 0.25 dB for 230 MHz and 1.18 dB for 500 MHz. Mutual coupling between array elements has critical impact for 500 MHz (losses up to 2.1 dB) due to the comparability of inter-drone distance (0.54 m) with their geometric dimensions. Electronic scanning is limited to ± 30º range, which significantly reduces the amount of processed information. The application of Taylor amplitude weighting makes it possible to reduce the sidelobe level to –25.3 dB with additional losses of 0.65 dB. The energy potential of the system is calculated considering a total radiated power of 5 kW (50 W per element).
Keywords: active phased array (APAA), UAV swarm, aerial antennas, positioning errors, stability, radiation pattern, statistical modeling, wireless video transmission.
Funding. The work was not carried out within the framework of funds.
Competing interests. There are no conflicts of interest regarding authorship and publication.
Contribution and Responsibility. The author participated in the writing of the article and is fully responsible for submitting the final version of the article to the press..
For citation. Bavizhev M. D. Analysis of mutual coupling and stability of airborne active phased array antenna based on UAV swarm. Adyghe Int. Sci. J. 2025. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 21–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-21-35; EDN: JBJJBU
Submitted 10.10.2025; approved after reviewing 23.11.2025; accepted for publication 29.11.2025.
© Bavizhev M. D., 2025
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