What Happened
Autonomous drone systems face connectivity challenges beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Cellular networks lack coverage in remote areas like offshore wind farms and pipelines. Recent tests by ArduPilot developer Stephen Dade show satellite services such as Iridium Certus can reliably support command, telemetry, and data for BVLOS missions. Latency ranged from several hundred milliseconds to just over a second, sufficient for operational control.
Why It Matters for the AECM Industry
AECM professionals deploying drones for infrastructure inspection or remote monitoring must address connectivity bottlenecks. Satellite links reduce dependence on local terrestrial networks, enabling safer and more confident BVLOS operations in isolated locations. Integrators should consider satellite-specific system design to handle latency and bandwidth differences.
What's Next
Further refinements in satellite modem technology and network services will improve bandwidth and latency. Industry adoption of open flight control platforms like ArduPilot with satellite integration will increase. Upcoming projects in offshore energy and pipeline monitoring will likely expand satellite-enabled BVLOS drone use.
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