Wireless Wings: Exploring the Role of Cellular Networks in Drone Connectivity

Abstract

The onset of the usage of drones around the globe has seen a kind of a big bang. From being used to deliver groceries, food
orders, and other items by tech giants such as amazon and uber eats, drones are used by the government for various purposes
ranging from mapping the lands to resolve land disputes, for security purposes, and a plethora of different scenarios. The
accessibility to drones has increased so much in recent years that even students can get their hands on drones if they do not
wish to build their own. In this article we share some solutions to the connectivity issues faced by long range and short-range
connectivity drones that can be used by the common citizen as well as big tech companies to enhance the possibilities of
remote control. Traditional drone control technology offers reliability and simplicity, with direct RF communication
providing real-time responsiveness and low latency. However, its operation range is limited, requiring proximity between the
controller and the drone. In contrast, mobile network drone control leverages the extensive coverage of cellular networks,
enabling long range operation and beyond-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights. This method also facilitates remote control and
monitoring, enhancing flexibility and accessibility. Herein the user can be present anywhere in the world and so can be the
drone and still they would be connected. The user would be able to control the drone using any device that could run a web
browser.