System of Indicators for Assessing the Efficiency of Information Transmission and Processing Systems of Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study is to develop an optimization mathematical model aimed at enhancing the efficiency of information transmission and processing systems for combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The model is based on an integral efficiency indicator D, which represents a generalized quantitative assessment of the communication system’s performance, integrating multiple technical and operational parameters into a single criterion.
Method. The model treats the integral indicator D as the objective function to be maximized. The variables are not the technical parameters themselves but the control parameters of the system, such as transmitter power, number of relays, flight altitude, energy consumption level, and channel robustness. Each partial performance indicator is normalized and integrated into a unified efficiency score. The interpretation of results is performed using the Harrington desirability scale.
Findings. A mathematical model for integral evaluation of the efficiency of combat UAV communication and data processing systems was developed and tested through computer simulation. The obtained dependencies between relay distance, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the integral efficiency index D confirmed the model’s adequacy. Implementation of the proposed optimization method increased the integral indicator by an average of 20–25%, demonstrating improved link stability and energy efficiency under realistic operational conditions.
Theoretical implications. The research expands the theoretical foundations of performance evaluation in military communication networks by demonstrating how a set of heterogeneous technical parameters can be aggregated into a single integral criterion. The proposed approach can serve as a conceptual basis for developing universal efficiency assessment models applicable to other dual-use information and communication systems.
Originality / Value. The originality of the study lies in the systematic integration of six fundamental performance indicators into a single dimensionless efficiency index D, which possesses both quantitative and qualitative interpretability. The proposed methodology combines physical communication parameters (such as throughput, delay, SNR, and reliability) with evaluative criteria of resilience and energy efficiency, thus providing a comprehensive assessment of UAV communication systems under combat conditions.
Future research. Future work should focus on implementing a software module for automated real-time evaluation of the proposed efficiency indicators, integrated into swarm UAV control systems. Another promising direction is the development of adaptive weighting algorithms for the indicators depending on mission type, electromagnetic environment, and the dynamics of combat operations.
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