DRONE TECHNOLOGY

How Do Drones Work??

Many parts are involved behind the scenes to support the seamless operation of drones, so it’s important to become familiar with the unmanned or remote technology that makes up a drone’s system. From delivering commands to ensuring a manageable weight, pilots must take into account the various factors that make a drone suited for specific jobs. Among the many variables in play, some of the most critical components of a drone to consider are its ground control station (GCS), payload and data links.

WHAT IS DRONE TECHNOLOGY?

Drones rely on a combination of hardware and software components to achieve successful takeoff, flight and landing. Drones are often equipped with rotors or fixed wings, sensors, navigation systems and gyroscopes (for stability), and are operated by ground control stations.

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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Drones are commonly referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), whereas the entire system that allows a drone to function is a UAS (Unmanned Aerial System.) The UAV is the heart of the UAS and possesses fixed wings or either a single or multi-rotary build for flight. Lighter-than-air UAVs, such as blimps and balloons, and small “Flapping Wing” UAVs also exist.

UAV DEFINITION

Another name for drones is unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is an aircraft that doesn’t require a pilot to be physically onboard. UAVs are often separated into two categories — civilian and military. While civilian UAVs are used for package deliveries and recreation, military drones are used for reconnaissance missions and carrying out offensive strikes on enemy targets.

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Ground Control Station (GCS)

Ground Control Stations are the central control unit that allows a UAV to fly and a UAS to operate. These stations can be as large as a desk with multiple views to as small as a handheld controller or even an app. The GCS can be user controlled or operated via satellites and is capable of controlling flight, controlling payload sensors, providing status readouts, mission planning and tethering the data link system.

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Payloads

Drones, UAVs specifically, come in a variety of sizes and are capable of carrying payloads of equally variable sized payloads. From life-saving medication to packages and more, drones provide an efficient method of delivery but must be built to handle the job at hand. Many drones are capable of rapid flight across oceans while others may be restricted to just a few thousand feet. Some drones may be capable of carrying hundreds of pounds while others can only manage under ten. It is crucial for operators to choose the right drone to help them complete the job at hand.

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Data Links

Data Links act as the transmission center that allow the drone to communicate with the ground operator while in flight. Typically utilizing radio frequency technology to communicate, the data link provides the operator with crucial data like remaining flight time, distance from the operator, distance from target, airspeed altitude and more. UAV control at 2.4 GHz for control and 5 GHz for video will provide the operator with approximately four miles of usability, while frequencies of 900 MHz for flight control and 1.3 GHz for video control can provide more than 20 miles of usability — adding to the list of reasons why pilots must use the right UAS for the task they mean to achieve