In early 2021, Parrot did what no other UAV drone manufacturer had done before—launch a robotic UAV with 4G LTE connectivity capabilities, the Parrot ANAFI Ai. This feature was completely unprecedented in the drone industry, and quickly disrupted the future of how drone connectivity and operation. While having 4G capability is something users normally look for in quality smartphones, organizations that operate in remote locations may now add this spec into their procurement requirements.
What makes 4G LTE connectivity such an interesting feature for commercial drones? To comprehend the value 4G offers, we have to understand how drones currently work, and what limitations current connections have. Currently, drones operate in the same way a regular TV remote control does—the controller pairs with the drone and sends a radio signal from the controller’s transmitter, which is processed by the drone’s receiver. Whenever the user submits a command, the drone responds accordingly, shifting its flight pattern, turning, or changing direction. For the most part, this is a seamless way to pilot the drone. Radio frequencies, however, have a distance limit and are subject to interference. Most drones use 2.4ghz and 5.8ghz for transmission; this frequency range minimizes the risk of connection loss, which is detrimental during flight, but only allows for about 7-12 miles of coverage. This limits the amount of data that can be captured at a time, and requires pilots to physically move along with the drone they are piloting in order to maintain connection. Because this increases the amount of time needed to complete a flight or mission, organizations may find it difficult to scale their operations, regardless of how efficient their drone program may be.
Organizations need a safe, reliable connection alternative to help scale existing drone programs. 4G connection supports remote, consistent operations, allowing pilots to fly anywhere with real-time data transfer. 4G LTE connection, however, offers an unlimited flight communication range. By leveraging a 4G connection, pilots can unlock almost an entirely remote-control capacity. This means that pilots can launch a drone from virtually anywhere. This also allows the drone to fly for longer distances as long as there is a 4G-supported network. Because cellular networks provide wide-area, quality of service and high data rate, as well as low latency, and reliable connectivity, enterprises can turn to 4G-enabled drones to perform operations on a greater scale.
Enterprise drone programs will continue to evolve, presenting new challenges and needs for agile workflows. Emerging, new technology will develop in order to support operations, changing the way drones operate. As cellular connectivity becomes the new communications standard for commercial drones, more platforms will support 4G LTE connectivity. Paired with advanced artificial intelligence, autonomous flight support, and other advanced features, organizations will be able to perform surveys, search and rescue missions, and many other operations on a larger scale.
Comprehensive drone programs are becoming an integral solution to the needs of many businesses—in a world where agility and live-data is a competitive advantage, drones can help organizations maximize their efficiency. Connect with one of our drone experts to get started on your journey.
