uAvionix, a leader in avionics solutions for both uncrewed and crewed aircraft, has secured a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) contract aimed at advancing C-Band frequency management for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Command and Control (C2) communications. This development is expected to enable multiple UAS from various companies to operate in close proximity while maintaining stable and non-conflicting communications.
The contract focuses on scaling C-Band frequency management to a regional level where numerous UAS can function simultaneously without interference in their communications channels. This initiative is crucial for the wide-scale commercial use of drones, which are increasingly employed in sectors such as medical delivery, emergency response, and consumer services.
“With hundreds, possibly thousands of drones anticipated to be operational in a single region, it is essential that each aircraft maintains a reliable communication link without suffering from interference or congestion,” said Cyriel Kronenburg of uAvionix. He highlighted the limitations of unlicensed spectrum due to high interference levels, emphasizing the necessity for licensed spectrum, which however is limited and currently managed through an extensive manual process.
The use of licensed aeronautical spectrum, such as C-Band, for UAS C2 communications requires approval from both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FAA, traditionally reserved for exceptions. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed the FAA and FCC to evaluate different spectrum allocations for UAS C2, which led to the endorsement of the 5030 to 5091 MHz range as licensed and protected C-Band spectrum.
uAvionix's prior collaborations with the FAA paved the way for the development of a Dynamic Frequency Management System (DFMS) for UAS C2, utilizing the protected C-Band spectrum. Under the new contract, uAvionix will demonstrate the application of DFMS as a National Airspace C-Band frequency management tool, facilitating the commercial expansion of C2 Communications Service Provider (C2CSP) infrastructure.
The upcoming demonstrations will illustrate how organizations can dynamically allocate available frequencies within the protected C-Band spectrum to numerous UAS operating in close quarters, using the SkyLine Platform. These assignments will be deconflicted and time-phased to guarantee continuous and reliable C2 communications for each flight.
This contract, along with another recently awarded FAA BAA for extending Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in challenging terrains, marks significant progress toward integrating UAS operations into the National Airspace System and enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of the UAS industry.
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