Drone Radar - Getting started with the basics 🚀

Drone Radar - Getting started with the basics 🚀

About

SkeyDrone Drone Radar is a software tool designed for law enforcement, event organizers, geozone managers and airports to enhance their situational awareness and improve safety during drone operations. 

Some fundamentals

To be able to easily use the Drone Radar application, first some fundamentals will be introduced. As a start, the different types of sensors which are used to detect air traffic will be covered, along with the terms ‘cooperative’ and ‘non-cooperative’. 
  1. Sensors

The Drone Radar gets its data not only from the one or more sensors that have been installed for your organisation, SkeyDrone collects data from many different sources, incl Mode-S radar data, telemetry C2 link... The data is split into three main groups, which, depending on your license, can be visible. Depending on a drone’s willingness to broadcast its drone-related information, drone detections are deemed cooperative or non-cooperative.
  1. ADSB signals: cooperative

ADSB (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) is a transmission technology used in aviation that enables aircraft to automatically transmit their precise position, altitude, and other relevant information to ground stations and other aircraft. It is mainly used by manned air traffic and is very rare to be used by unmanned air traffic. As pilots utilizing ADSB willingly transmit a signal containing their aircraft-related information, detected through an ADSB antenna, they are categorized as 'cooperative' traffic.

  1. Direct Remote ID: cooperative: 
Direct Remote ID (RemoteID) is a transmission technology used in unmanned aviation that enables drones to automatically transmit their precise position, altitude, serial number, and other information at a lower electrical cost than ADSB, hence its use in the UAV industry. RemoteID is only used by unmanned traffic. Just like ADSB, pilots using RemoteID are willingly broadcasting the drone’s information. For that reason, it is also deemed ‘cooperative’.        
  1. RF detection: non-cooperativ
Drones involved in unlawful activities are generally not using RemoteID (or ADSB for that matter). For that reason, the radio signal (RF) between the controller of the drone and the drone itself is being detected using an antenna. Likewise, the location of the drone, its altitude, serial number, and other information can be detected. As these pilots are not broadcasting their information willingly to third parties, drone detections originating from RF detection are deemed ‘non-cooperative’.
  1. Control Zones

Control Zones, not to be confused with controlled airspace, are zones established by your organisation that allow your organisation to track traffic within these areas. If unauthorized drones or other air traffic intrude a Control Zone, an alert will be triggered. This traffic is then classified as being an ‘intruder’.
It's important to note that Control Zones created in Drone Radar will never supersede any officially approved Geozones managed by your organisation. Official Geozones cannot bz requested within the app and are not responsability of SkeyDrone. If you have any doubts or questions about regulations or legality, you can always contact the SkeyDrone team
  1. Flight Plans

When drone pilots intend to fly their drones within an organization-created Control Zone, they need a flight plan to carry out an authorized flight without triggering an alert. These flight plans can be created using the SkeyDrone Drone Radar app, a process which will be explained later. Additionally, if your organization has obtained an official flight authorization within skeyes DSA or an operation within Unifly UTM, it will automatically be visible within the SkeyDrone Drone Radar app. These, along with the flight plans crafted within the app, are collectively categorized under the label 'Flight Plans'.

Drones equipped with a flight plan, regardless of complete conformity to that flight plan, fall under the 'authorized' category. Deviating from the stipulated lateral area, altitude, or time detailed in the flight plan classifies them as 'non-conforming'. Nonetheless, they do retain the 'authorized' classification.
It is important to note that Flight Plans created in SkeyDrone Drone Radar will never supersede any approved flight plans from any integrated UTM platform. To obtain authorisation to fly in GeoZones, an official request must be submitted and approved by the GeoZone manager in question. If you have any doubts or questions about regulations or legality, you can always contact the SkeyDrone team.


    • Related Articles

    • Drone Analytics - Getting started with the basics 🚀

      About SkeyDrone Drone Analytics is a software tool designed for drone detection post-processing. Some fundamentals To be able to easily use the Drone Analytics application, first some fundamentals will be introduced. As a start, the different types ...
    • Can I assign a specific/friendly name to a drone’s series number?

      No, this feature is not available in Drone Analytics at the moment but well in Drone Radar. The ability to assign a friendly name to a drone's series number is an item on our roadmap. We will keep you informed about the availability of this feature.
    • What are the prerequisites for using SkeyDrone Drone Radar?

      To utilize SkeyDrone Drone Radar, you must meet the following requirements: Hardware: You will need a PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone equipped with a functioning internet connection. Software: Your device must have a browser already installed. We ...
    • When will I receive alerts?

      The Alerts tab displays notifications or gives warning signs. It allows you to stay informed about important updates, changes, or issues in a specified zone or flight plan that require your attention. There are four alert types: Intrusion Alerts ...
    • What do the different pictograms in an alert's details mean?

      Pictograms in alert details serve as visual cues to quickly communicate the type of information or the urgency of the alert. Here’s a general guide to understanding common pictograms: Name of the zones for which the alert is triggered Number of ...