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The Impact of LoRa Modules on Modern Drone Communication Systems
Drone Communication Systems With Integrated Functionalities Based on LoRa Modules
LoRa modules are becoming more and more important subsystems within drone communication systems, as noted by Zhuhai Branch on Dewin Communication Technology. These modules provide long-range, low power, wireless communication for spatially distributed drones. Unlike older technologies such as Wi-Fi and 4G, LoRa modules have advantages concerning drone communication systems. At the same time, using LoRa modules lowers power consumption by more than 60%, increases resistance to interference, and improves transmission ranges up to 10-15 kilometers.
Last time I discussed agricultural drones, I aimed to look at what newer versions brought. To that end, I wanted to add information on recent changes that have been made to agricultural drones.
Last week, Zhang Ming, an engineer, lightly teased a client throughout a seminar.
“Over the years, we have been having a recurring problem with communicating through signal in ultra-remote zones when using our drones to monitor crops for protection," said the client.
“In those scenarios, LoRa modules are unmatched. Communication between drones equipped with LoRa is a 'super communication highway',” replied Zhang Ming. LoRa modules now make it possible for drones to maintain altitudes in some of the most inaccessible places on the globe.
Zhuhai Dewin Communication Technology Co., Ltd. has recently deployed an upgraded communications system to a large agricultural cooperative that was strained servicing over 50 agri-drones. The cooperative’s dependency on 4G networks crippled operations costing the cooperative 800,000 yuan per year, with a 20% communication failure rate. After LoRa enabled drone communication was implemented, operational costs dropped to 50,000 Yuan ,alongside a 35% increase in operational efficiency.
Due to newly accessible regions, there is an increased use of drones which is accompanied by LoRa modules. Zhuhai Dewin Communication Technology Co., Ltd. states that systems for drone communications with LoRa modules perform exceptionally, achieving over 85% success rates in challenging urban canyon and wooded mountainous areas.
“One of our border apprehension projects had us designing a drone based communication system using LoRa modules for a full 50 kilometers of border,” says Li Hua, the Project Director. He continued “We achieved dependable communications networks using 6 LoRa base stations and drones with LoRa technology for one third of other bids cost, essentially cutting down costs significantly.”
The modules driven LoRa technology have proven useful in industrial inspection as well. For example, an energy company utilized communication drones equipped with LoRa modules to perform an oil pipeline inspection and achieved a remarkable distance of 12 kilometers. Unlike previously, she was able to perform inspections of segments of pipeline thrice her previous range in a single flight, with astonishing accuracy of 99.7%.
How LoRa Modules are Optimizing Drone Communication Systems
With the intention of transforming drones into “aerial IoT nodes,” Zhuhai Dewin Communication Technology Co., Ltd is developing drone communication systems outfitted with LoRa modules. These drones would perform under IoT standards and operate within LoRa’s minimal energy usage constraints.
According to Wang Tao, the intelligent multifunctional LoRa-equipped smart city drones of the future will “serve from environmental monitoring to emergency response." He also described a modern drone's ability to gather data over large areas which would be difficult for traditional sensor networks to cover.
Zhuhai Dewin implemented a smart logistics drone comm system based on LoRa Technology which enabled automated cruise flights and inventory checks between warehousing clusters. The approach employs LoRa modules for voice communication between drones and the control center. Devices that are not connected to a base station operated via LoRaWAN form a complete logistics information network. Test results indicated an eight times improvement in inventory check efficiency while the error rate stayed below 0.3%.
Following these advances, unpaired with LoRa modules, Zhuhai Dewin Communication Technology Co. expects drones to penetrate heavily into agriculture, logistics, border security, and other sectors. The company intends to change that perception by fully leveraging LoRa technology. Further, Zhuhai Dewin Communication Technology Co. Ltd intends to go beyond drones by incorporating LoRa modules into other devices, seeking solutions that would stir industrial stagnation.