Using a Drone as an Antenna Relay for Obstructed Ground Stations

Ground stations used to control an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) normally require line-of-sight with the UAV in order to maintain control and communications. This project provides an alternate method for ground stations to communicate with UAVs by using a drone as a relay, or flying antenna tower. With the drone positioned over the ground station at heights of up to 400ft, the range of the ground station can be increased significantly, allowing for it to maintain communications with the UAV even with obstructions, such as mountains or buildings, blocking line-of-sight. To accomplish this goal, a plug-and-play systems was designed and successfully tested. This system allows for any person with basic remote-control hobby knowledge to easily construct their own relay. A second system was created using custom coded radio links, allowing for more control and customization for applications beyond basic UAVs and ground stations.