DTC, a Codan company, has released the BluTrak-90-D Autonomous Tracking Antenna to facilitate real-time tracking of unmanned aerial vehicles without the need for external processing or manual intervention.
As drone operations extend over longer distances, maintaining a reliable data link is essential for operational success. Traditional fixed antennas often require manual alignment and can lose connectivity as the platform moves, whereas this system autonomously follows movement to maintain its data link. At the core of the technology is an onboard microprocessor running embedded tracking algorithms, allowing the antenna to track the drone continuously without operator input.
The system is designed for rapid deployment and minimizes the potential for human error during alignment. It supports Power over Ethernet across a wide voltage range and processes NMEA position data from various sources, ensuring performance remains dependable even in environments where GNSS is denied.
Housed in a rugged IP67-rated enclosure, the hardware includes a high-gain antenna, tripod, and cable drum. This high-gain design focuses the signal to provide increased strength and an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The resulting directional beam provides higher data throughput and link stability while reducing the probability of interception or detection by third parties.
These features make the technology suitable for a variety of technical applications, including long-range Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions. It is also designed for Beyond Visual Line of Sight commercial drone operations and high-stakes broadcast scenarios, such as live sports event coverage.
DTC is currently at AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL in Detroit where their experts will be exploring how resilient, distributed networks enable resilient operations even under disruption:
Gareth James will be speaking on a panel at:
The Autonomous Systems Cooperation Forum 2026
Tuesday, May 12 | 3:30pm | Room 330Josh Funderburk will present
Enabling Autonomy at Scale: The Critical Role of Resilient Communications
Wednesday, May 13 | 4:00pm | 140G
