SYRACUSE, N.Y. —NUAIR says it plans to integrate a communication infrastructure mesh (CIMTM) system concept into the 50-mile drone corridor between Syracuse and Rome.
The CIMTM — a product of Rochester, Minnesota–based Aveopt Inc. — seeks to “advance the reality of safe and secure commercial drone operations,” NUAIR said.
NUAIR, a Syracuse–based nonprofit organization that provides expertise in unmanned aircraft systems, is a member of Open Generation. NUAIR manages New York’s 50-mile UAS corridor and is working on advancing 5G innovation in unmanned-aircraft systems.
A UAS includes a drone and equipment used to control its flight. A drone is also referred to in the industry as an unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV.
The Aveopt CIMTM integrates cross-communication between multiple modes of communication including cellular, satellite and remote sensors, creating a multi-redundant, reliable communications network for UAS operations. A “safe, reliable” communications network is a key functionality for a UAS traffic management (UTM) system, beyond visual line of sight flight, and commercial drone operations.
“A safe, reliable and functional UTM system cannot be built by one company,” said NUAIR CEO Ken Stewart. “It’s going to take a myriad of specialized companies throughout different industries, government support and cross-state collaboration. Aveopt’s cross-communication technology and expertise is a key addition to our Alliance, advancing the reality of safe and reliable commercial drone operations.”
The availability, strength and reliability of communication signals varies from one location to another. The Aveopt CIMTM is designed to actively monitor the communication signals in the local area where a drone is flying and determines which signal is the “best” in terms of signal strength and reliability. It then selects that signal as the primary communication source for operations and moves the other signals “down the list” of backup communication networks.
The system will also have the ability to switch between service providers to acquire the most reliable signal for safe drone operations.