‘Always-on’ 4G Connectivity for Long Range Control and Monitoring of Commercial Drones
In advance of 5G networks becoming widely available, 4G provides commercial drones (unmanned aerial vehicles – UAVs) with resilient and secure connectivity as the market grows.
The rapid growth of commercial drone use
Drones are fast becoming more widely used for commercial use. Businesses and industries are recognising the benefits including operational convenience, faster delivery of products and services, and the ability to travel to remote and hard to reach places. With the requirement for drones to be able to travel for miles and across different network coverage areas as well as relay huge amounts of data, drone manufactures using a single network, consumer grade SIM would face a number of challenges and risk.
Many drone applications involve the transfer of real time data from the drone itself to the cloud. This data transfer, known as data payload, needs to be secure and performant, achieved via a private APN overlay. Having a simple solution with multi-layer security will help avoid any potentials data breaches, misuse or unauthorised access.
With number of commercial drones in use increasing, we’re now seeing the development of flight corridors. To integrate commercial drones into global airspace with manned aviation safely requires drones to transmit their location back to air traffic control to help avoid any collisions.
Why Drone solution providers are turning to cellular connectivity
Without a reliant connection and comprehensive network coverage, it’s likely the drone will fail to operate, or at least, transmit the data generated. Solution providers are turning to cellular connectivity for simple, highly secure, and resilient connectivity. By using cellular connectivity, the SIM inside the drone will pick up the strongest signal and switch between networks as required. With the growing number of drones being used for commercial use, having full control and visibility beyond the visual line of site (BVLOS) and access to real time data generated from the drone removes the risk of any physical collisions or accidents.
By using an un-steered multi-network SIM and 4G, the drone will have ‘Always-On’ connectivity mitigating risk of downtime as it will always connect to the best available network, providing the pilot with full command and control. This solution allows for streaming high data volumes of both video and still visuals.
We offer an ultra high availability SIM to deliver the highest levels of up-time and resilience, recommended for applications where loss of connectivity is not an option. By overlaying a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and working with a connectivity provider with ISO27001 certification, businesses will have the reassurance that their data will be managed and processed securely.
Wireless Logic’ SIM Connectivity platform SIMPro gives users full visibility and control across multiple networks on any number of IoT SIMs.
Ensuring drone connectivity everywhere
Sky Drones Technologies, specialising in hardware and software for drone manufacturers, faced connectivity challenges as customers relied on single-network SIMs, risking downtime and accidents during out-of-range flights.
Partnering with Wireless Logic, they adopted un-steered multi-network SIMs with VPN-secured data, ensuring always-on, secure connections. Managed through the SIMPro platform, this solution enhanced reliability and operational safety for their drones.
New regulations, the challenges and why cellular connectivity is helping businesses
Drones have evolved significantly, now used in agriculture, deliveries, and business operations. New regulations require drones in cities, especially near airports, to broadcast their position for safety, with secure data transmission.
Jack Drinkwater, Business Development Executive at Wireless Logic, and Lukáš Brchl, CEO of Dronetag, discuss these regulations in an Electronic Specifier podcast, exploring challenges for drone operators and manufacturers and how cellular connectivity ensures safe, secure, and efficient drone technology.
Resilient connectivity
Un-steered roaming for ‘always on’ 4G connectivity and private APN.
Secure data transfer
Private Infrastructure and VPN solutions.
IoT expertise
Tailored solutions for your application’s specific connectivity and security needs.
Security standards
ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials accredited.
Tailored IoT connectivity solutions for your UAV
Our IoT connectivity experts can get you connected within days with a tailored solution that meets the need of your
drone use case.
How cellular will enable the growth of the commercial drone market
Matthew Clark, Business Developer Manager, explains how cellular connectivity is playing an important role in the growth of the commercial drone market and how we help organisations navigate and overcome
challenges of resilience, security and safety for a future proofed and compliant solution.
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