Radio Telemetry Relay Network (2022 Spring)
The Challenge
During long-distance medical drone missions, the mountainous terrain often blocks the direct line-of-sight required for standard radio links. This results in a total loss of communication, making the drone “rogue” and potentially dangerous to aircraft and bystanders.
Our Solution
A radio telemetry relay network was developed to bridge this gap. By placing intermediate repeater nodes that act as a bridge between the operator and the drone, the team established a reliable communication link that extends over 15 kilometers, even when mountains are in the way.
How It Works
International flight regulations require a constant line of communication with drones in public airspace. The new network uses RFD900X radio modules running specialized multipoint firmware, with a “Master” node managing synchronization to ensure smooth data transfer across the relay points.
The Outcome
This system ensures that medical delivery drones remain under the operator’s control at all times, fulfilling strict safety requirements. It allows for longer, safer missions into remote areas that were previously unreachable.