Advancements in Long-Distance Dialogue: BOREAL ISR Drone’s Success

Impulse has announced a importent achievement with its SL200 radio communication system, successfully establishing a long-range video link exceeding 50 nautical miles (90 km) aboard the BOREAL ISR drone, off the coast of France in the Atlantic Ocean.

RF100 Program: A Milestone in communication Technology

This accomplishment is part of the RF100 initiative, which commenced in mid-2022, aimed at validating the capabilities of long-distance video transmission.

Challenges of Maritime Communication

As highlighted by Simpulse, radio data transmission in maritime settings faces unique challenges, including reflections from the water’s surface and weather-related disturbances. These factors create atypical wave propagation conditions that differ significantly from those found on land, often leading to signal degradation or complete loss.

Expert Collaboration for Effective Solutions

To address these challenges, the skilled teams from BOREAL and Simpulse collaborated closely, demonstrating the viability of long-range radio communications in these complex environments.

BOREAL ISR Drone: Engineered for Success

The BOREAL ISR drone, specifically designed for extended missions, utilized Simpulse’s compact Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology. This system dynamically adjusts its data rate based on the prevailing propagation conditions, employing the SL200 onboard modem and the GRS-T200 ground tracking antenna.

Data collection and Analysis

During this campaign, a extensive dataset was gathered, allowing for an in-depth analysis of the unique reflection phenomena and radio wave propagation in maritime environments. This data is crucial for modeling these phenomena and developing optimized solutions to mitigate their effects.

Expert Insights on Maritime Operations

Michel Gavart, CTO of BOREAL SAS, stated, “our drone is fully equipped to operate effectively in maritime conditions.We are thrilled to partner with Simpulse on this project, which enhances our understanding of wave propagation in such intricate environments.”

Previous Successes in Terrestrial Environments

the RF100 program has already achieved significant milestones in validating long-range radio transmissions on land. The BOREAL UAV successfully transmitted video data at peak rates during a flight where the drone and ground station were separated by 110 km.

Partnerships Driving Innovation

Emmanuel Hamman, President of Simpulse, remarked, “Our long-standing collaboration with BOREAL is vital for testing and refining our products under challenging conditions. We are proud to contribute to the success of the BOREAL ISR drone.”

Implications for Large-Scale Missions

This partnership has proven that extensive missions requiring high-speed radio links are feasible. Applications include monitoring linear infrastructures, border security, communication routes, sensitive industrial sites, and the oversight of vast maritime and fishing zones.