Satellite Communications (SATCOM) & Cellular-Based IoT Solutions for Drones & Robotics

SATCOM & IoT Connectivity Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Ground Control’s products simplify remote operations and enable UAVs and unmanned vehicles to operate anywhere in the world By Mike Ball / 25 Jan 2024
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Ground Control is a leading developer of SATCOM (satellite communications) and cellular-based IoT solutions for drones and robotics. UST is delighted to welcome Ground Control on board as a supplier partner, and we will be highlighting their unique solutions and capabilities across our channels over the next 12 months.

We’ve just launched Ground Control’s UST supplier profile, which has been written and built by our team in collaboration with the company. The Gold profile showcases their product portfolio, which simplifies remote operations and enables UAVs and unmanned vehicles to operate anywhere in the world, allowing you to expand your reach and ensure always-on mission-critical connectivity for your remote assets.

Read on to find out more:

Compact Iridium Data SATCOM moduleThe RockBLOCK 9603 provides OEMs and system integrators with a low-SWaP (size, weight and power) solution for integrating Iridium Short Burst Data capabilities into space-constrained UAV designs. Weighing just 36 grams with a footprint of 45 x 45 x 15mm, it can be easily integrated into a wide variety of platforms.

Based around the Iridium 9603N modem, the versatile device is ideal as a failover connection for BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) drones operating in areas where RF and cellular communications are unavailable. Short Burst Data is ideal for sending simple operational commands and receiving drone data such as position, altitude and speed. Airtime is available in two formats: a pay-as-you-go option and an annual contract option.

RockREMOTERockREMOTE is a highly versatile dual Iridium Certus and LTE cellular connectivity solution designed for the most challenging of remote Industrial IoT applications. It provides IP or message-based communications for drones and unmanned systems located anywhere in the world, and can be interfaced with via Ethernet, Wi-Fi or serial RS232/485.

The device utilizes an omnidirectional antenna with no pointing required, and provides reliable data transfer in close to real time, even with suboptimal or changing views of the sky. An integrated hardware security module ensures that your data is secure while being transmitted over the network. RockREMOTE can be used to transmit data from multiple sensors such as cameras, and live video streaming capabilities will be added in the near future.

RockREMOTE is also available in an IP67-rated rugged variant that is designed to withstand the harshest outdoor environmental conditions, and is ideal for USVs (uncrewed surface vessels) and remote buoys.

Data management for IridiumCloudloop Data provides simplified and device-agnostic satellite IoT messaging capabilities, with automatic reformatting and decoding that enables you to save significant development time and effort. Supporting the RockBLOCK and RockREMOTE devices, the service provides full control and visibility of data sent to multiple destinations.

Designed with scalability and interoperability foremost in mind, Cloudloop Data provides multi-vendor platform integration for seamless compatibility with established cloud providers, IoT dashboards and delivery mechanisms. A wide variety of information is available through an intuitive control panel, allowing you to completely control the flow of data through any IoT system.

The Cloudloop interface is available as a simplified programmable API, enabling you to integrate the service within your own systems and applications.

Remote monitoring for connected dronesCompatible with the Iridium Certus 100-enabled RockREMOTE, Cloudloop Device Manager provides easy remote troubleshooting and monitoring of connected assets such as drones and unmanned vehicles, allowing you to undertake essential maintenance and troubleshooting without needing to send an engineer into the field or recover systems from remote or challenging locations.

The secure cloud-based device management platform provides a wide range of functionality through its intuitive web interface, including real-time health status information, custom alerts and notifications, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, and viewing of subscription data.

To find out more about Ground Control and their SATCOM and IoT solutions for drones and robotics, please visit their profile page: https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/company/ground-control/

To learn more, contact Ground Control: Visit Website Send Message View Supplier Profile
Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact