Elsight understands that as the drone industry expands, the ability to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations has emerged as a pivotal capability. Read more >>
From accelerating e-commerce with drone deliveries to enhancing public safety through Drone First Responder (DFR) initiatives, BVLOS missions are driving innovation. These missions, however, face a critical challenge: ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in complex environments. By embracing multilink communications, platforms like Elsight’s Halo are redefining how drones navigate the connectivity demands of BVLOS operations.
The Challenge: A Single Point of Failure
Traditional drone communication systems rely on a single link for command and control (C2) and video transmissions, often using point-to-point line-of-sight radios or commercial network communication. While adequate for simpler operations, this approach falters in the face of obstacles such as environmental interference, remote terrain, or even deliberate jamming.
For BVLOS missions, where drones traverse vast areas and rely on constant communication, the consequences of a single point of failure are significant. “Connection confidence”, the ability to trust that a drone remains reliably connected, becomes non-negotiable.
Achieving this confidence requires high availability, robust redundancy, and secure data transmission — all within a form factor small enough to integrate seamlessly with UAV platforms.
The Solution: Harnessing the Entire Radio Spectrum
Elsight’s multilink approach mitigates the risks of single-link dependency by aggregating multiple communication channels into a unified, resilient connection. By combining technologies such as cellular networks, satellite communications, and point-to-point radios, multilink platforms ensure continuous data transmission even in the most challenging conditions.
This aggregation extends across diverse networks and frequency bands:
- Public cellular infrastructure, including LTE and 5G networks from multiple carriers
- Private tactical networks like Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL
- Mesh Software-Defined Radio (SDR) systems for flexible communication
- Long-range point-to-point (P2P) radios for low-bitrate data transfer
- Satellite communications from providers like Starlink, Iridium, and Viasat
- Emerging LTE/5G-over-LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite technologies
For example, a drone operating within the U.S. might simultaneously utilize T-Mobile’s 5G network, Verizon’s LTE coverage, and satellite links for seamless connectivity. Such a multilayered system reduces the risk of transmission loss and enhances mission reliability.
The Core Innovation: Logical Connectivity Layer
Managing multiple data streams is a formidable challenge, but Elsight’s Halo platform simplifies the process with a logical connectivity layer. This technology aggregates all active links into a single virtual pipeline, ensuring seamless transitions between networks without disrupting the drone’s operation.
Halo dynamically monitors link performance — evaluating metrics like latency, packet loss, and network congestion — and reroutes traffic as needed. For instance, when cellular performance degrades, the system can switch to a point-to-point SDR connection without the operator noticing a disruption. This real-time adaptability ensures high availability and low latency, even in rapidly changing environments.
By splitting and duplicating critical data streams across multiple channels, Halo not only reinforces connectivity but also enhances security. Distributed packets are encrypted and reassembled at the control center, making interception almost impossible.
Putting Halo to Work: Enhancing BVLOS Missions
When a drone connects to the Drone Network Operating Center (DNOC) via Halo, the platform initiates performance tests on all available links, measuring key metrics to optimize traffic routing. As the mission progresses, Halo continuously adjusts traffic loads, ensuring the most reliable and efficient communication pathways are used.
Halo’s ability to duplicate and split data streams provides additional redundancy and integrity. For instance, a video feed might simultaneously travel through LTE and a P2P SDR connection. These redundant streams are securely transmitted via a VPN pipeline, de-duplicated, and normalized at the ground station, ensuring uninterrupted video and telemetry data.
This sophisticated management system is further enhanced by AI-driven network prioritization, which minimizes latency and cost by intelligently switching among links as circumstances change.
Real-World Impact: BVLOS Connectivity Redefined
Elsight’s Halo exemplifies the transformative potential of multilink technology for BVLOS drone operations. Its key features include:
- Aggregated Multilink Technology: Halo combines diverse communication paths into a single, unified connection.
- AI-Powered Transitions: Intelligent network switching ensures seamless connectivity with minimal latency.
- Data Duplication for Redundancy: By splitting data across multiple channels, Halo guarantees high availability and robust security.
- Low-Latency Performance: Prioritizing fast channels maintains smooth data and video streams.
- Advanced Security: Encryption and packet distribution prevent data interception and control hijacking.
- Compact Design: Lightweight and power-efficient, Halo integrates easily into UAV platforms.
The Halo platform also includes automatic mapping of cellular signal levels, enabling operators to plan optimal flight routes based on metrics like signal strength and quality. This feature enhances mission planning, especially in remote or challenging environments.
Expanding the Potential of BVLOS
By overcoming the limitations of single-link systems, Elsight’s multilink approach opens new possibilities for BVLOS missions. Operators can now rely on a resilient, secure communication system that adapts in real-time, ensuring success even in the most demanding conditions.
Elsight’s Halo is more than just a connectivity solution; it’s a gateway to unlocking the full potential of drone technology. From delivering medical supplies to remote areas to supporting critical public safety missions, Halo enables UAVs to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
With multilink communication at its core, the future of BVLOS operations is not just connected — it’s limitless.
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