Elsight has introduced the HeatSight feature through its AllSight management platform, providing cellular coverage via time-aggregated heatmaps that are designed to optimise flight paths during the planning stage.
Using Elsight’s beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) technology, Halo-powered uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) record multiple RF parameters during every flight for each cellular network and across different altitudes and times. These parameters vary from signal strength indicators (RSSI) to metrics like Reference Signals Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signals Received Quality (RSRQ). The data is uploaded to Elsight’s AllSight Cloud Management platform, where it is aggregated over time to provide a continuously evolving picture of the network coverage landscape from a UAS’ standpoint.
UAV operators can identify areas with optimal cellular coverage, as well as troublesome areas with poor cellular coverage, before embarking on a mission. By analysing historical data, operators can choose the network paths with the strongest coverage and plan routes that avoid coverage dead zones.
Operators can cross-reference AllSight’s Heatmap data with historical weather information to create specialised flight profiles for various scenarios. For instance, if historical data shows that rain significantly impacts connectivity in certain areas, operators can create flight profiles tailored to such weather conditions.
Ultimately, HeatSight is designed to simplify regulatory compliance, filter data by network technology, assess coverage for specific frequency bands and evaluate network performance for individual cellular operators.
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Image: AllSight management system (Elsight)