Gotonomi has provided its UAV satellite communication technology to AIR6 SYSTEMS for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) power line inspection trials. Read more >>
The flights utilized Gotonomi’s Velaris Multilink terminal integrated on AIR6 SYSTEMS’ AIR8 Medium Lifter UAV, together with a 200-A Omni external antenna and Videosoft Global’s low-bandwidth video streaming software. The configuration delivered low-latency video transmission and stable command and control (C2) via satellite, with automatic LTE-to-satellite failover maintaining continuous connectivity. The solution enabled the efficient transfer of inspection footage and flight data to multiple locations across Europe.
Trial Objectives
The trials aimed to complete a fully autonomous BVLOS power line inspection using Gotonomi’s Multilink terminal as the primary communications link. Additional objectives included validating the reliability and resilience of the satcom solution under operational conditions such as limited bandwidth and latency sensitivity. AIR6 SYSTEMS also sought to demonstrate uninterrupted telemetry and video streaming through seamless LTE-to-satellite handover.
Engineering Collaboration
Gotonomi’s engineering team provided support from the initial planning phase through to field testing. Guidance covered integration of the Velaris Multilink terminal and 200-A Omni antenna, power and thermal management, and optimal antenna placement. Comprehensive documentation supported hardware installation, user interface operation, and API integration.
Preliminary ground testing took place at AIR6 SYSTEMS’ facility in Klagenfurt, Austria, followed by UAV flight trials in a nearby designated airspace. Gotonomi engineers collaborated with AIR6 SYSTEMS to verify satcom connectivity and LTE functionality in real-world conditions.
Results
Testing confirmed the performance of the Velaris Multilink terminal, demonstrating reliable C2 via satellite communications. LTE connectivity provided higher throughput for detailed video inspection, while automatic network failover between LTE and satellite links maintained stable operation. System boot to ready-to-fly with satcom connected was achieved in under two minutes.
Alex Fraess-Ehrfeld, CEO of AIR6 SYSTEMS, commented, “Gotonomi has proven to be a highly competent and reliable partner to us. The Multilink system exceeded our expectations.”
Using Videosoft Global’s low-bandwidth streaming software running on the Multilink’s onboard computer, AIR6 SYSTEMS transmitted live video alongside C2 telemetry over satellite. Gotonomi’s diagnostic tools enabled real-time monitoring of signal strength, data throughput, and network status, supporting optimized performance throughout the mission.
