Sunhillo Discusses How ADS-B Receivers Support Safer BVLOS Operations
In this Q&A, Sunhillo explains how ADS-B receiver technology can help UAS operators improve situational awareness during BVLOS missions, supporting UTM, detect-and-avoid, and controlled airspace integrationsunhillo-corporationNewsADS-B Receivers / Feature Article by Sunhillo Corporation
Doug Walczak, Director of Marketing and the UAS Business Development lead at Sunhillo, explained that ADS-B can provide a cost-effective means of detecting aircraft transmitting ADS-B or UAT data, supporting situational awareness for BVLOS missions, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), detect-and-avoid, and integration with controlled airspace.
Maintaining Cooperative Aircraft Awareness During BVLOS Operations
For BVLOS operations, maintaining awareness of nearby cooperative aircraft is a key part of safely managing the surrounding airspace. ADS-B receivers can help provide this awareness through a comparatively simple receiver and antenna setup.
“ADS-B provides situational awareness of crewed aircraft with a simple ADS-B receiver and antenna. With the addition of Remote ID you would see a complete surveillance picture of aircraft and drones. This is very cost-effective and more agile versus purchasing a small radar.”
An ADS-B receiver such as the Sunhillo Margate II can provide up to 200 miles of reliable range for detecting aircraft squawking ADS-B or UAT. For BVLOS operations across large areas, multiple ADS-B receivers can also be deployed with overlapping coverage, helping operators maintain continuous awareness across a wider operational area.
The Sunhillo Barnegat Multi-Band Receiver adds a Remote ID Receiver to the ADS-B and UAT feeds. BVLOS operations often have low altitude challenges so deploying multiple ADS-B sensors can help mitigate blind spots.
Sunhillo noted that, where multiple receivers detect the same aircraft, overlapping targets can be fused together using fusion software. The company highlighted its Multi-Track Fuser Plug-in for SureLine Software® as an example of software that can support this type of fused surveillance picture.
ADS-B receivers are also available in multiple configurations, including DC-powered options that can be placed on vehicles. This supports mobile operations, with Sunhillo stating that the U.S. military uses this approach on HUMVEEs and small UTV vehicles with ADS-B antennas.
ADS-B also has a role to play in UTM by helping operators detect crewed aircraft flying in the same location as Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations. This cooperative aircraft data can be combined with local radar data, supporting a more complete situational awareness picture for UTM operators.
For detect-and-avoid applications, Sunhillo described ADS-B as a crucial source of surveillance data. The company noted that ADS-B is used by the U.S. military for ground-based detect-and-avoid, as well as in civilian BVLOS operations.
“ADS-B gives a reliable source of surveillance data for all crewed aircraft equipped with an ADS-B Transponder.”
Sunhillo Margate II ADS-B Receiver
For operations in controlled airspace, ADS-B plays an important role in maintaining situational awareness. Sunhillo added that the FAA requires aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B Out to fly in controlled airspace, including Class A, B, and C airspace, and at or above 10,000 feet. With awareness of these ADS-B-equipped aircraft, UAS operators can better understand surrounding cooperative air traffic and safely navigate the airspace.
“Sunhillo’s fusion capabilities allow for an integrated picture from multiple surveillance sources available to an operation, such as ADS-B, radar, and Remote ID.”
Sunhillo ADS-B & Multi-Band Receiver Solutions
Sunhillo identified the Margate II ADS-B Receiver and its upcoming Multi-Band Receiver as relevant solutions for ADS-B-based cooperative aircraft awareness.
Margate II ADS-B Receiver
The Sunhillo Margate II ADS-B Receiver is a field-deployed ADS-B receiver developed to meet or exceed DO-260B and DO-282 standards, with a focus on high reliability, range, and accuracy. The receiver accepts and decodes 978 MHz UAT and 1090ES ADS-B, helping complete the Electronic Conspicuity picture.
Sunhillo Multi-Band Receiver
The Margate II has been deployed successfully over the past 10 years, with deployments across every branch of the U.S. military, the FAA, and international customers worldwide. Sunhillo’s receiver is available with AC or DC power, making it suitable for mobile vehicle operations, and its RF connection allows operators to directly connect the ADS-B antenna of their choice.
Barnegat Multi-Band Receiver
Sunhillo also highlighted its upcoming Multi-Band Receiver, which the company said is expected to be released by Q4 2026.
The new product will feature an IP67 enclosure with built-in antennas and the ability to ingest and decode ADS-B, UAT, and Remote ID. The receiver will also support Power over Ethernet (PoE) and include built-in LTE connectivity, supporting remote operations and field deployment.
Posted byEleanor WiddowsEleanor joined Unmanned Systems Technology in 2025 as a Junior Editor and Copywriter. She holds a First-Class Honors degree in English Language and Linguistics from the University of Southampton and is passionate about producing clear, accessible content on UAVs, robotics, and sensing technologies, showcasing the latest innovations in the unmanned systems sector.Connect
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