Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight UAV Communications: Supporting Long-Range Autonomous Operations Through Satellite, Relay, and Hybrid Networking

By Quentin Lasker

Practical guidance for designing UAV communications that keep flying beyond line of sight

This book brings together the engineering, operational, and architectural knowledge needed to build dependable communication systems for long-range autonomous UAV missions. It explains how to move from mission needs to working designs, with clear attention to range, latency, availability, throughput, and resilience.

Readers will find a structured treatment of the full stack, from radio propagation and link budgeting to modulation, coding, routing, transport behavior, and security. The book also examines how satellite links, relay nodes, and direct connections can be combined into hybrid networks that support command, telemetry, and payload data without interrupting operations.

Inside you will explore:

Communication requirements for beyond-visual-line-of-sight UAV operationsPropagation behavior, fading, interference, and antenna effects over long distancesModulation, FEC, HARQ, and link adaptation for constrained airborne linksSatellite system choices across GEO, MEO, and LEO environmentsRelay planning, multi-hop coverage, and handover considerationsHybrid networking strategies for path selection and failoverNetwork, transport, and QoS design for intermittent and high-latency linksSecurity measures for authentication, encryption, anti-jamming, and integrityHardware integration topics, including antennas, RF front ends, and power limitsTesting, monitoring, troubleshooting, and implementation checklists

Each chapter is paired with a practical example, helping connect theory to decisions made in the field. Topics such as telemetry-first service profiles, robust command-and-control settings, relay-based search missions, and seamless switching between link types make the material especially useful for engineers, system architects, technical program managers, and advanced practitioners.

Whether you are defining a new BVLOS platform or improving an existing one, this book offers a clear path to communication systems that are reliable, secure, and suitable for real operational use.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H9NWS14Z
• ISBN13: 9798188203184
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 11.0"