The core concept of network interoperability is enabling flexibility and integration across diverse UAV platforms. It requires standardization and modularity, allowing components to be seamlessly used across multiple UAV types and vendors while ensuring compatibility, redundancy, and scalability across various operations.
C2 (Command, Control, and Intelligence) Interoperability Challenges
The challenge in interoperability is balancing standardization with flexibility and performance. For example, NATO’s Link 22 offers a standardized BVLOS (Beyond Visual-Line-Of-Sight) protocol, but it is costly, bulky, and bandwidth-limited, making it unsuitable for commercial use. A key consideration for ensuring interoperability is maintaining compatibility while preserving enhancements not part of the protocol.
Operating multi-UAV types requires interoperability across diverse connectivity and messaging protocols within a swarm. Each UAV may have a different mission, yet it must function as a cohesive hive mind. A key aspect is normalizing communication across UAVs using different networks (P-T-P, satellite, LTE, or 5G) while ensuring a single ground control station (GCS) can manage them all seamlessly.
C2I systems must be capable of controlling various UAV types across different missions, ensuring operational redundancy and enabling handoffs between local GCS and remote operations centers. Achieving this requires interoperability among GCS, vendors, and connectivity protocols while balancing flexibility, cost, and inherent advantages.
Interoperability Add-On
Drones with proprietary communication systems lack interoperability by design and face challenges in maintaining connection confidence throughout a mission. Disruptions such as radio interference, electromagnetic interference (EMI), LOS restrictions, or jamming can compromise communication, limiting operational reliability.
A logical connectivity layer ensures continuous, secure, and resilient NLOS/BVLOS communication by utilizing multiple networks across the entire available spectrum. It enables seamless handoffs between communication paths, enhances transmission flexibility and bandwidth, and adds an encryption layer for security. Additionally, it supports rapid NLOS/BVLOS deployment via existing cellular networks or Link 22, ensuring UAVs remain connected in dynamic and challenging environments.
The Benefits of NLOS/BVLOS Operations
Operating UAVs BVLOS or in Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) conditions unlocks new levels of efficiency, safety and situational awareness. By leveraging BVLOS connectivity solutions, UAVs can extend their range, maintain seamless communication, and operate in challenging environments without direct human oversight. This capability enables quick deployment and ensures continuous control even in remote or obstructed areas.
- UAVs can maneuver non-line-of-sight extended areas without loss of communications
- Quick deployment utilizing commercial networks
- A safer and risk-free remote operation while maintaining complete control
- Seamless handoff from local GCS to remote headquarters
- Signal heatmap for better mission path planning, avoiding connectivity dead zones
- Remote, centralized, and synchronized upgrades, monitoring, and network policy updates for fleets
