Elsight

Elsight is the industry leader in BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) communications technology for mission-critical drones and robotics. Providing ultra-reliable and secure connectivity and data transmission in the harshest of environments, our battle-proven Halo platform is the solution of choice for military and first responder UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles) around the world.

Absolute connection confidence for mission-critical unmanned assets

Halo is a lightweight, compact and low-power platform that aggregates all available cellular, SATCOM, and proprietary RF links into one securely bonded communications pipe, delivering an unprecedented level of reliability and critical redundancy for BVLOS drone and robotics systems. In most cases, Halo uses public or private LTE and/or 5G modems or optionally, Wi-Fi, RF, and SAT links via an ETH/UART port.

Thanks to this state-of-the-art bonding technology, Halo provides its host platform with effectively unlimited range connectivity with low latency, and maximal bandwidth even under the most challenging of conditions.

The Halo is not just a bonding device, it’s an aggregation solution, which is field-proven in military and law enforcement applications.

• The Halo supports native MAVLink comments allowing extra redundancy for flight computer links.
• Cellular mapping with future GPS mapping. Cellular mapping of up to 4 carriers simultaneously, that can be used to take the signal quality into account while planning the flying route.
• Extremely efficient SWaP (size, weight, power consumption) ratio that can be integrated into any moving platform with power constraints.

Combat-Tested Drone Connectivity by JEDDOC | BVLOS by Elsight Halo

The expert comms team at JEDDOC set out to test Elsight’s Halo in combat-like conditions. Watch to learn how BVLOS drone operations can rely on the reliable connectivity provided by Elsight’s Halo platform. Discover how multi-network bonding (LTE, 5G, satellite, RF) enables secure, real-time video, telemetry, and control for UAVs. Most importantly, understand how to maintain connectivity in remote, urban, and GPS-denied environments.

How Halo works

Halo’s algorithms monitor a wide range of factors for each datalink in real time, including latency, packet loss, and network congestion. This information is used to intelligently balance traffic load between all available links, ensuring the utmost in reliability even in highly dynamic communications environments.

The ultra-secure system splits all types of information, including sensor, video and telemetry data, into AES-256-CBC encrypted packets. These packets are then delivered via secure VPN tunnelling to our proprietary Allsight management platform, where they are decrypted and recombined. Allsight can be hosted in the cloud or on an onsite server in a closed environment, providing flexible deployment options.

OEM card and standalone deployment options

Halo is available in two low-SWaP form factors – an OEM board that can be easily integrated into a variety of platforms, and a standalone enclosed unit that is ideal for ground control stations and command centers as well as moving vehicles.

Both versions can accept up to four SIM cards from multiple public or private cellular network providers, with built-in-support for 5G, 4G LTE and 3G.

Learn more: Halo drone connectivity platform

Applications

Military & Defense

The Halo connectivity platform ensures secure, robust and uninterrupted communications for military, government and homeland security operations, enabling operators in the field or in remote command centers to control single drones or fleets of unmanned systems. Most significantly, the Halo enables commanders to analyse all the transmitted data from the drones from a remotely located command centre – for a wider lens of real time information and improved safety.

With its aggregated multi-link transmission, Halo enables connected assets to stay fully operational with no single point of failure, providing enhanced situational awareness and mission effectiveness in challenging NLOS conditions. The platform is ideal for a wide range of tactical scenarios and missions, including:

• Real-time ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) for effective planning and decision-making
• Logistics and resupply for front-line forces
• Communications relays in areas with poor infrastructure
• Countering electronic warfare and jamming attacks
• Search and rescue
• Tethered drone deployment

Learn more: Halo connectivity in military & defense

Law Enforcement & First Responders

Halo is a crucial asset for drones and UGVs operating in law enforcement, first responder, and public safety applications, enabling real-time uninterrupted data gathering and transmission without putting personnel at risk. The lightweight and compact platform is easy to setup and deploy, making it ideal for emergency and disaster relief situations with little or no infrastructure. A key benefit for first responders is the ability to control all drones flown and to analyse its collected data (telemetry and video) from a remotely located control room, rather than from the remote-control console.  In addition to the wider lens of its situational awareness, the Halo provides improved safety to the first responder personnel.

Halo provides critical intelligence for more effective planning and execution of complex missions in crowded urban environments and challenging outdoor terrain.

Applications include:

• Covert surveillance for SWAT and counter-terrorism teams
• Security and management of crowds and public events
• Border control
• Search and rescue
• Locating hotspots and victims during firefighting missions
• Crime scene documentation
• Traffic monitoring

Learn more: Halo for law enforcement, first responders, and public safety