Next Gen Drone Ops
Transcript of Next Gen Drone Ops
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1 Blue Research, 2018 Industry Report: The State of Drones in Big Business, Skyward, 2018. https://skyward.io/resources/drones-in-big-business-the-state-of-drones-at-50m/
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Next Gen Drone Ops: Connecting Drones to the Verizon Network
Connecting drones like the Parrot ANAFI
AI to wireless networks can transform
drone operations from a simple point-
to-point solution to one that is ready
to adapt to tomorrow’s technology
and regulatory advances, while still
producing today’s deliverables and ROI
with stable command and control.
In this paper, you’ll learn about what the
implications of connecting a drone to a
regulated cellular network really mean,
why they matter – both to existing
operations and the future growth and
development of enterprise-level drone
adoption – some things to consider
about connected drones, and what this
connectivity can enable.
While drones are adding tremendous value to
enterprise operations across a wide range of
industries, they are nowhere near realizing their
full potential. In 2018, only 10% of major enterprises
in the U.S. were using drones1 — and almost none
of them were connected to a cellular network. At
Skyward and Verizon, we’re working to change that.
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The vast majority of drone
operations conducted
today use an unlicensed
radio frequency link.
To understand the value of connected
drone operations today and in the
future, let’s understand how drones
are most commonly communicating as
things stand today. The vast majority
of drone operations being conducted
today use an unlicensed radio frequency
(RF) link to send control commands
from the operator’s controller on the
ground to the drone, and to send video,
telemetry, and aircraft health data from
the drone back to the controller.
These control links are typically in the
2.4GHz and 5.8GHz wavebands – the same
wavebands as Wi-Fi routers, garage
door openers, wireless phones, and
lots of other devices.
Why Connect a Drone to a Cellular Network?
N AT U R A L O B S T R U C T I O N
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✓✓Clear Line of Sight
Obstructed Line of site
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There are significant drawbacks to using unlicensed radio frequency technology
for these communications links:
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Reliability: because unlicensed RF spectrum can be
used by anyone and by many different technologies,
unlicensed RF links can be disrupted by other devices of
the spectrum via interference.
Performance: unlicensed RF solutions that do not incorporate
other communications link solutions such as satellite or cellular
communications are limited to the line of site range between
the antenna on the drone and the antenna on the ground. This
means that the drone must be within line of sight of a ground
antenna, which is commonly placed within line of sight of the
pilot, limiting the range of drone flights significantly.
L I N E O F S I G H T
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These factors make the stability of the
RF link impossible to predict.
Fitting the controller with a connected
device like a smartphone or tablet
does not alleviate these issues.
Without a direct 4G LTE connection on
the drone, a connected ground control
station provides limited autonomy,
even if it does enable some data
transfer, like streaming video, and
command and control.
However, this solution is limited in its:
• Range - the drone can still only
connect to the internet when it is
in range of the controller, which is
usually no more than a few miles
within line of sight
• Stability/reliability - the speed
and quality of the data streaming
from the drone will vary greatly
depending on the range and quality
of the proprietary connection with
the controller, and the RF noise in
the area of operations
• Accessibility - this method only
works with the drone’s proprietary
controller
Truly unlocking the capabilities, scalability,
and efficiency of drones requires a
communications link that doesn’t suffer
these limitations. Why? Because a drone
is made up of lots of different subsystems
that rely on the communications link in
order for the drone to be safe, reliable,
and efficient.
These subsystems can include:
Communications: this is how the aircraft
(drone) and the pilot communicate. The
pilot sends commands to the drone and
its payloads; the drone responds and
sends back video and telemetry that tell
the pilot how the other subsystems on
the drone are functioning. Things like
where the drone is, where it’s going, how
much battery (or fuel) is left on board,
and what its payload is doing are all sent
back and forth on this communications
link. Most industrial and prosumer drones
communicate this information over line-of-
sight RF radio links that are susceptible to
interference caused by other signals in
the area.
Payload: this is the component of the
system that collects the data that makes a
drone useful to the operator or business,
such as images, videos, packages, and
sensor data.
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On-board computer: this is the
“brains” of the drone, distributing
commands and information between
subsystems, and telling the drone what to
do if communication with the pilot is lost.
Propulsion: these components provide
power to the aircraft for flight, and for
use by the other subsystems. Drones
can be powered by batteries, liquid
fuels, hydrogen cells, or hybrid power
systems.
Flight controller: made up of inertial
measurement units, gyroscopes, and
signal processors, the flight controller
translates commands sent from the
controller or on-board computer to fly,
stabilize, navigate, and land the drone.
Positioning: GPS, GLONASS or other
satellite positioning systems, plus
visual, sonar, or infrared sensors
determine the drone’s location and
help it avoid obstacles.
The communications subsystem – the
part that electronically links the drone
and the operator – is the lynchpin of
them all. If the communications link
fails, the drone is unable to report
video and telemetry back to the pilot,
and the pilot can’t send commands to
the drone.
When the communications link fails,
most drones used for commercial
purposes have failsafe behaviors to keep
the drone flying, and hopefully command
it to return to its takeoff point and land.
While this is a known behavior that has
been accepted as part of the risk of
operating drones, its fallibility makes it
a risk factor that must be accounted for
in pre-flight planning, route execution,
and emergency procedures.
Because of the demonstrated coverage,
reliability, and stability of regulated
cellular networks, connecting the ground
control station to the drone by a cellular
network greatly reduces this risk.
This connection is made by using
technologies that already exist and
have been tested and proven for
reliability.
A drone’s communications subsystem is the lynchpin of safe operations.
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Telecommunications companies have
invested years of effort and billions of
dollars building coast-to-coast 4G LTE
networks that connect the wireless
devices we use every day. These
networks bring a high level of reliability
and trust as millions of businesses
and consumers have thoroughly
stress-tested these networks over the
years. We know we can rely on them to
help us communicate, navigate, and live
our lives.
Connected drones are able to tap into
this same network — with its high
reliability and breadth of coverage —
to give a pilot command and control
capabilities that stretch across nearly
the entire country. While today’s
drone ground control stations can stay
connected to their drones for a couple
of miles if the conditions permit, cellular
networks have virtually unlimited
connection potential. Connect a drone
to an LTE network and the limit on how
far it can operate will be based on the
drone’s endurance, not its RF connection.
We know that 5G will help transform
many aspects of society, and we think
that drones will be one of the first tools
to showcase its full potential. That’s good
news! But here’s some even better news:
we don’t need to wait for 5G to connect
drones to the network. Connecting
drones to 4G LTE can dramatically
increase the value they provide today.
At Skyward and Verizon, we want to
make sure our customers can achieve
drone ROI with the technology that’s
available today. We also want to make
sure we innovate with the future in
mind. So, let’s take a look at the state
of connectivity in the skies today with
a view toward tomorrow’s advances.
4G LTE for Drones
C E L L U L A R I N T H E A I R V S . C E L L U L A R O N T H E G R O U N D
Lower Signal Strength More Cell Towers Line of Sight
Whether in phones, cars, or commercial
robots, up until now most practical
uses for cellular connectivity have
been ground-based, and the networks
that support these devices have been
optimized for terrestrial use.
One of the things that makes drones
unique is that they bring the internet of
things (IoT) into the air. But doing this
means we have to ask new questions.
For example, because cell sites are
typically optimized for ground use, is
there enough signal in the sky? With so
much free space and so few obstacles in
the air, is interference an issue?
Skyward and Verizon’s Network team
have conducted extensive testing to
characterize how drones can operate on
these networks. We have captured and
analyzed data concerning how drones
connect to the Verizon wireless network
across multiple geographies; this has
been done using different types of
drones, and at different ranges, including
beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
These flights had the primary goal of
characterizing how the cellular network
propagates at the altitudes drones fly for
the purpose of command and control.
Cellular in the Air
W H Y C E L L U L A R F O R B V L O S ?
Provides an economic and attractive option for BVLOS flights
Widespread and covers a large part of the U.S.
4G LT E
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During these flights we looked at
the performance of the cellular link’s
strength, coverage, and reliability.
We also ensured the drone is operating
on the network in a way which does
not degrade the quality of the network
experience for other users, or for the
drone itself.
These studies demonstrated to us that
with longer lines of sight in the air,
encountering fewer obstructions such
as buildings and trees in the way, drones
see more cell towers, and therefore
often experience signal coverage, than
ground-based devices.
Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network can deliver services to airborne users for
the purpose of command and control of a drone, streaming video, and other
data transfer in low altitude airspace. To serve this emerging market, Verizon
has created Airborne LTE Operations (ALO) – a connectivity plan for connected
drones and other aircraft operating in the National Airspace System (NAS) that
is available today.
2 “Drone Market Outlook in 2021.” Business Insider, 04 February 2021 https://www.businessinsider.com/drone-industry-analysis-market-trends-growth-forecasts
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When we think about drones connected
over 4G LTE networks, we’re really talking
about preparing for the tasks enterprises
will be able to accomplish — the processes
that connectivity can enable. While
connectivity won’t make sense for all drone
users, especially individual consumers and
drone hobbyists, corporate enterprises
have the potential to see significant ROI
when they launch successful, scalable,
connected drone fleets.
With proper FAA authorization,
enterprises deploying fleets of drones
connected over cellular can enable myriad
complex operations when operating
within the national airspace, like:
• Flights beyond visual line of sight
• Remote fleet deployments
• Artificial intelligence & fully
automated flights
Flights Beyond Visual Line of Sight
Most current drone use cases can
be streamlined and supercharged
with cellular connectivity. The biggest
opportunities for commercial drone
operations involve flight beyond visual
line of sight, or BVLOS. These operations
have a huge potential impact on a drone
program’s return on investment and
are a major reason why drone-provided
services are poised to become a multi-
billion-dollar market.2
While the technology to control drones
beyond the sight of the pilot already
exists, current regulations in the United
States make it difficult to get permission
to do so. This is largely safety-driven and
takes into account the FAA’s view that
drones are, indeed, aircraft operating in
the National Airspace along with military,
commercial, and general aviation air-
craft. It is the Remote Pilot in Command’s
(RPIC) responsibility to ensure they are
not interfering with crewed aircraft, and
the RPIC can only manually see and avoid
other air traffic if they can see the drone
they’re flying.
Part 107 of title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) is the Federal Aviation
Administration’s rule for operating small
Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS, also
known as drones) in the United States.
Ready Today. Ready for Tomorrow.
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Established in 2016, Part 107 significantly
lowered the barrier for operating with
drones. Before the adoption of Part 107,
anyone wanting to operate drones for
commercial purposes — from lone pilots
to major corporations — had to apply
for permission from the FAA through a
time-consuming and expensive process,
or else operate illegally. Now, businesses
who follow Part 107 can fly drones
without applying for authorizations, and
can do so in compliance with federal law.
Part 107 requires that the drone remain
in the pilot’s visual line of sight at all
times. Current drone operators, including
operators using cellular connectivity for
command and control of the drone, must
seek waivers through FAA’s Drone Zone
or similar methods if their operations
fall beyond the limits of standard Part
107 operations. Successful applicants
for BVLOS waivers have been limited to
the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP)
participants, FAA Certification of Waiver
or Authorization (COA), and Part 135
operations. These routes are typically out
of reach of organizations whose primary
business functions do not include drone
operations, manufacturing, or testing.
While there has been limited approval
by the FAA of BVLOS waiver applications
in the past, Skyward is working with
the FAA and other standards bodies to
create technical standards -- including
cellular communications -- that could be
used to enable BVLOS operations in the
future. This would allow drone operators
and organizations to gain approval
from the FAA to fly BVLOS using cellular
connectivity at scale.
Why is the commercial drone industry so
excited about flying drones BVLOS? Why
does this make such a big difference?
Flights BVLOS open the door to a whole
new world of drone operations. Today,
drone inspections for infrastructure
covering large areas, such as railroads,
electrical transmission lines, or pipelines
have to be broken up into short
segments, with the pilot relocating or
handing off control to another pilot
every few miles. This limitation is keeping
large enterprises from fully realizing
the efficiencies and scale drones can
provide. Contrast that to a connected
drone’s ability to operate safely beyond
visual line of sight, and we can unlock the
drone’s technical ability to inspect that
same infrastructure in a way that is not
limited by its RF connection to a ground
control station.
3 Verizon Deploys Remote Network-Connected Drone During Big Hollow Wildfire,” Skyward, September 23, 2020. 4 Stafford, Bill, “Southern Company Partners with Skyward and Hitec for BVLOS Test Operations,” Skyward, October 2,
2019, https://skyward.io/southern-company-partners-with-skyward-verizon-and-hitec-for-bvlos-test-operations/5 Lincoln, Dave, “How the Verizon Network Enabled Skyward’s True BVLOS Drone Flights,” Skyward, October 15, 2019,
https://skyward.io/how-the-verizon-network-enabled-skywards-true-bvlos-drone-flights/
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Making BVLOS flights a reality will enable
improved time efficiencies in hazardous
and emergency scenarios, and more
frequent inspections for better data
collection.3 And with the drone already
connected to the network, the data can
be sent directly to decision makers for
immediate review. That means crews
can get results rapidly and perform
maintenance on the spot.
Infrastructure inspections are just one
opportunity for connected drones.
Also consider:
• Remote delivery — carrying packages
the last mile from delivery trucks,
easily transporting medical supplies
in urban areas, and providing rapid
delivery service to rural areas
• Disaster assessment — giving first
responders a live view of inaccessible
areas after a flood, fire, hurricane, or
other catastrophic event
• Critical Infrastructure and Border
Security – drone-in-a-box solutions
interfaced with video and radar
management systems can provide
real-time threat assessment in
response to alarms, virtually
eliminating false alarms and
improving response effectiveness
While regulatory bodies are still
developing the laws and regulations
that will allow these activities to safely
become an everyday reality, Skyward and
Verizon have been hard at work ensuring
the technology will be ready once the
regulations are in place. Through our
work to characterize Verizon 4G LTE
services in low-altitude airspace, we have
built a strong understanding of service
delivery to airborne vehicles. Plus, we’ve
already been conducting test BVLOS
operations to prove out the necessary
use cases and technologies.4,5
Remote Fleet Deployments
Let’s take it a step further. Instead of
dispatching a crew to the site of a remote
transmission line, what if the drone
was already located onsite? A pilot in
the office could send a command over
the network to launch the drone from
its station, from which it would take off
and begin to fly along the line. The pilot
could control the drone and inspect any
necessary assets without leaving the
office. Upon completion of the mission,
the pilot could return the drone to its
station, where it would recharge and
stand ready for its next mission.
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Connecting drones to the network can
enable remote fleet deployments of this
kind. Some drone-in-a-box solutions
are already commercially available.
This represents huge time savings for
crews, with the potential to completely
eliminate some field deployments while
still collecting detailed data. And when
repair crews do need to deploy, they’re
armed with the data ahead of time,
streamlining operations.
Artificial Intelligence and Fully Autonomous Flights
The next logical step in the evolution
of drone operations is a whole fleet of
remotely deployed drones. With base
stations in key locations, a drone is ready
to deploy at a moment’s notice anywhere
in your service area. These drones are
programmed to automatically fly routes
on a schedule with little to no direct
oversight needed. They collect data
and transmit it back to the office,
providing a constant flow of data for
frequent assessment.
Today, regulations require a drone pilot
to operate only one drone at a time.
But in the future, a single pilot could
control dozens of drones. This “one-to-
many” control will be a huge competitive
advantage, and regularly-collected data
can be easily tracked over time for trend
analysis, improving analytics and insight.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a key
role in full automation, enabling drones
to map, track, and analyze data in near
real time. Drones will evolve from just
a flying sensor into an aerial intelligence
platform that can identify structural
defects in infrastructure, assess storm
damage, and find people in search &
rescue scenarios without a human at
the controls. While limited onboard
artificial intelligence is already available
today, technologies like multi-access
edge computing (MEC) can bring
advanced AI capabilities to drones
during flight, producing actionable
results in essentially real time. This
means drones can rapidly provide
intelligent insights that can save lives —
and millions of dollars.
6 “Call Quality Should Continue to be High Priority for Wireless Carriers”, JDPower.com, 26 January 2021 https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-us-wireless-network-quality-performance-studies-volume-1
7 Fletcher, Bevin. “Verizon Sweeps RootMetric Awards, but testing continues to show AT&T improvements.” Fiercewire-less.com, 16 July, 2019. https://www.fiercewireless.com/operators/verizon-sweeps-rootmetrics-awards-but-testing-continues-to-show-at-t-improvements
8 “Verizon Managed Security,” Verizon, 2021, https://www.verizon.com/about/our-company/managed-security
Why Use Verizon’s Wireless Network to Connect Drones?
Cellular networks like 4G LTE can
support drones in the same way they
support other IoT devices:
ReliabilityUsing the licensed RF spectrum of
cellular means more to the end user
than just what frequency video and
control signals are being sent and
received on. Verizon gives you access
to the most reliable 4G LTE network
in the United States.6 From phones to
smart home technology and business
equipment, more companies rely
on Verizon’s award-winning network
performance for wireless connectivity
and support.7
SecurityWith digital footprints expanding, the
risk of cyberattacks and data breaches
grows stronger, making organizations
more vulnerable. Since drones are a
disruptive new technology, security is
at the forefront of the conversation.
Verizon helps companies strengthen
cyber resiliency across the enterprise
as an essential part of our network.8
CostCreating a purpose-built nationwide
aerial network for drones would take
an investment of billions of dollars in
communications infrastructure, while
taking years to set up. And that’s not
Connected to Verizon’s wireless network, drones become an aerial
arm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Once connected to the internet,
drones can network with billions of other networked devices, rapidly
exchanging data and getting better intelligence than ever before.
But why use cellular networks to connect them? What advantages
does 4G LTE have over other internet solutions available today?
9 “Best Phone Carrier, Best Wireless, Why Verizon,” Verizon, 2021, https://www.verizon.com/featured/our-network/10 “Wireless Private Network,” Verizon, 2021, https://www.verizon.com/business/products/security/network-cloud-se-
curity/virtual-private-network/wireless-private-network/11 “Private Network Traffic Management,” Verizon, 2021, https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/articles/private-net-
work-traffic-management/
to mention ongoing maintenance
costs and periodic upgrades. However,
Verizon’s wireless network has already
been built out across the nation, and
Verizon maintains that network at peak
performance.
AccessibilityCellular connectivity is a mature
technology, with a wide array of
hardware and equipment already on
the market. Because it is so widely used,
it reduces engineering, certification and
design costs and opens the door to
more third-party opportunities.
This lowers the barrier to entry into the
market for connected devices such as
drones as they tap into a reliable,
well-understood technology.
Global AvailabilityVerizon’s wireless network covers more
than 2.6 million square miles and over
99% of the U.S. population,9 but wireless
connectivity is by no means limited to
the U.S. — it is available around the
globe. This means that a connected
drone can be operated not just in the
U.S., but internationally, with the market
for connected devices spreading to
virtually every country.
EvolutionCellular technology is supported by
global standards bodies, which provide
a level of interoperability for services.
Again, this means that a connected
device designed to operate with
these standards can be expected to
function on an ongoing basis. Wireless
technology isn’t just gradually fading
away — it keeps getting better.
CapacityCellular networks are designed to
reliably serve millions of customers
with high capacity for large amounts of
data and low latency. Cellular networks
have the ability to deliver services for
the efficient delivery of critical functions
at scale, such as command and control
of a drone, while also supporting the
data payload of a drone, such as image
transfer. For example, data prioritization
of command and control messages
can be accomplished through Verizon
Wireless Private Network10 using Private
Network Traffic Management.11
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For Drone Manufacturers: Talk to Skyward’s Connectivity &
Devices product team by getting in
touch at Skyward.io/contact. Together
with Skyward and Verizon’s Aviation
Development Centers, this team
develops the technologies, systems,
and standards necessary to help OEMs
produce connected drones.
For Companies with Cellular-ready Drones: For companies who have already
partnered with drone manufacturers
for a connected solution, Verizon is, at
present, the only company to offer an
IoT service plan specifically for aerial
devices through our Airborne LTE
Operations (ALO).12 This plan enables
customers to send command-and-
Skyward and Verizon Can Help You Connect Drones TodayConnected to Verizon’s wireless network, drones become an aerial arm of the
Internet of Things (IoT). Once connected to the internet, drones can network
with billions of other networked devices, rapidly exchanging data and getting
better intelligence than ever before.
But why use cellular networks to connect them? What advantages does 4G LTE
have over other internet solutions available today?
control and payload data over Verizon’s
4G LTE network. If you’re ready to begin
testing connected drones on Verizon’s
network, Skyward is here for you.
For Those Just Looking Into Connected Drones: Visit Skyward’s website for more
information and resources at Skyward.
io. Also keep an eye on the Verizon Open
Development Showcase,13 where we
will display drones which are approved
for connection to the Verizon wireless
network as they become available.
In addition to developing connecting
drones to the network, Skyward offers
an Aviation Management Platform
for managing your drone operations,
professional services to help you set up
an enterprise-grade drone program, and
regulatory advocacy to help develop the
future of the airspace regulations.
12 Stockton, Francesca, “How 5G Connectivity Could Power Tomorrow’s Drone Operations,” Skyward, April 28, 2020 https://skyward.io/how-5g-connectivity-could-power-tomorrows-drone-operations/
13 https://opendevelopment.verizonwireless.com/device-showcase
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How Skyward Supports Commercial Drone Programs
Skyward, A Verizon company, supports drone
programs at enterprises and large companies across
the country through:
Aviation Management Platform — a software solution for managing an entire
drone operation workflow
Professional Services — helping
companies build, scale, and innovate their
drone programs
Research & Development — partnering
with the most advanced drone programs to
build tomorrow’s drone use cases
and technologies
Regulatory Advocacy — helping
companies fly in more ways and more places
For more information, visit Skyward.io.
14 “Wireless Private Network Connection,” Verizon, 2021, https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/articles/verizon-wireless-private-network-connections/
15 “Wireless Private Network Factsheet,” Verizon, 2021, https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/factsheets/2016/verizon-wireless-private-network-fact-sheet.pdf
16 https://opendevelopment.verizonwireless.com/content/opendevelopment/English/home.html
For more information about all of the Verizon products and solutions which can be integrated to build a robust drone program, get in touch with us at skyward.io/contact.
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Additionally, Verizon’s portfolio of products and
services available today to build a secure, scalable
IoT program also apply to connected drones.
A few solutions of note are described below.
Verizon’s Mobile Private Network gives your company a segregated
private network for your drones.14 It separates your drone data from public
traffic and provides a direct connection back to your internal network.
Access to and from this private network is completely within your control,
and it extends your network to reach everywhere the Verizon Wireless
network does. See the Verizon Wireless Private Network Fact Sheet
to learn more.15
The Verizon Open Development program allows drone manufacturers to
certify their 4G LTE or 5G enabled drones for the Verizon Wireless network
through the ALO device certification process.16