Drokia

Connecting Drones

Problem
Commercial UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) communication systems typically operate on frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. While these frequencies suffice for low-range operations, they struggle to maintain consistent performance at medium ranges, especially in urban environments. Furthermore, certain countries impose limitations on radio output power or channels, adding to the challenge. This setup is evidently not suitable for future BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations.

Solution
We propose the use of an open peer-to-peer (P2P) network operating on one or more of the permissible frequencies. This network would not only act as a fallback for direct communication but also facilitate the sharing of transponder-like information between drones. Such a system would enable a collision avoidance mechanism similar to the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) used in commercial aviation.

Status: TRL 1 (Technology Readiness Level 1)