BotBlox is a leading developer of rugged and ultra-compact network infrastructure for drones and robotics. With a focus on Ethernet technology, the company provides highly SWaP (size, weight, and power) optimized network components that deliver faster data rates in as compact a form factor as possible, and are designed to be embedded directly into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles UGVs, and other robotic systems.
The company’s Standard Series of OEM boards utilize industrial-grade components with high-quality manufacturing to create some of the market’s smallest Ethernet solutions, ideal for a wide range of commercial drone and robotics designs operating in temperatures of up to 80°C.
In this exclusive Q&A, Josh Elijah, BotBlox Founder and CEO, shares insights into the company’s Ethernet technology and its impact on the unmanned systems industry.
How does Ethernet technology contribute to improving the performance and reliability of drones in demanding environments?
Performance and reliability are interrelated but distinct aspects, so let’s address them individually. Performance refers to how effectively a system fulfills its intended purpose—in a UAV, this could mean range, video feed quality, or control stability. Reliability, on the other hand, refers to the system’s ability to consistently perform over time and across varying conditions—think failure rates and downtime in a UAV context.
Ethernet’s role in drones stems from its function as a communication technology, similar to USB, CANBus, or WiFi. When building a drone, system integrators must choose a communication bus to interconnect the various components. This choice has a significant impact on the drone’s performance and reliability, as the communication bus acts like the drone’s nervous system, transmitting data between its “organs.” So why choose Ethernet?
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Let’s start with reliability. While CANBus—a technology popular in automotive systems—is known for its robustness due to features like differential signaling, noise tolerance, and a simple electrical structure, Ethernet offers comparable reliability and more.
Ethernet incorporates features like differential signaling and fault-checking mechanisms but also includes advanced reliability tools such as error detection and recovery protocols.
Compared to USB, which demands high-precision connectors and software overhead to function reliably, Ethernet is far easier to deploy and maintain in harsh environments.
In terms of performance, Ethernet surpasses nearly all other communication buses due to its high data rates (up to 10 Gbps) and auto-negotiation capabilities. For example, Ethernet enables seamless communication of high-resolution video streams or large data sets required for advanced drone operations. The difference between a 10 Mbps and 1 Gbps video feed is monumental, especially as drones become more self-reliant and complex.
A drone’s communication bus must also withstand extreme conditions, such as wide temperature ranges, without relying on high-tolerance electronics or burdensome software. It needs to achieve this while supporting high data rates to avoid bottlenecks. Ethernet excels in both areas, making it the communication technology of choice for high-performance, reliable drones in demanding environments.
Side Note: While CANBus uses just two wires, Ethernet typically requires four wires (for 100 Mbps) or eight wires (for 1 Gbps), which can add complexity. This challenge is being addressed with Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), which reduces the wiring to just two conductors while retaining Ethernet’s benefits. BotBlox is among the few companies actively developing SPE solutions tailored for drones and similar applications.
What challenges do drone manufacturers face in integrating compact Ethernet solutions, and how does BotBlox address these challenges?
Drone developers often encounter “integration hell”—the difficulty of building a cohesive system from a mix of off-the-shelf and custom components. This challenge is compounded when components use different communication protocols or even incompatible Ethernet connectors and pinouts. Additionally, there’s a lack of rugged interconnect and networking hardware optimized for the stringent SWaP constraints of embedded platforms.
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At BotBlox, solving these challenges is our specialty, it’s pretty much all we do. We design compact, rugged Ethernet hardware that’s purpose-built for drones and embedded systems. By focusing exclusively on Ethernet, we ensure our products are optimized for size, weight, and durability.
We conduct environmental qualification testing to guarantee reliability in harsh conditions, allowing developers to focus on enhancing their drones without worrying about networking infrastructure. Our products are designed to be flown, driven, launched, submerged, and even crashed—making Ethernet integration seamless for our customers.
Why is Ethernet considered critical for drones operating in industrial and commercial applications?
Not all drones require Ethernet, and simpler systems can function effectively with slower communication buses. However, Ethernet becomes critical in high-performance drones requiring higher internal bandwidths. For drones involved in industrial or commercial applications—where real-time data processing, high-resolution video streams, or large data transfers are essential—Ethernet’s speed and reliability make it indispensable.
Can you explain how Ethernet supports high-bandwidth communication in drones?
Ethernet offers several features that make it ideal for high-bandwidth communication in drones:
- High Data Rates: Ethernet supports speeds exceeding 10 Gbps, with ongoing advancements like 40GBASE-T targeting 40 Gbps. This ensures drones can handle data-intensive operations such as real-time video processing and sensor fusion.
- Robust Signaling: Ethernet uses a simple yet effective electrical signaling method, making it easy to integrate in challenging environments without requiring highly matched connectors or complex routing.
- Advanced Networking Features: Ethernet’s capabilities include VLANs (Virtual LANs), QoS (Quality of Service), link aggregation, and redundancy. For example, QoS allows critical telemetry data to take priority over less urgent traffic, enhancing operational reliability.
- Precision Timing: Advanced protocols like PTP (Precision Time Protocol) enable precise internal timing, which is vital for drones operating in GPS-denied environments.
No other communication bus matches Ethernet’s combination of bandwidth, fault tolerance, and network management features.
What unique challenges does BotBlox solve for drone developers looking for compact and efficient Ethernet switches?
The main challenge is building a reliable internal network within the tight constraints of a drone’s size, weight, and power. At BotBlox, we specialize in creating compact, rugged Ethernet switches that integrate seamlessly into drones, enabling developers to focus on enhancing their systems rather than designing custom networking solutions. Our products provide advanced networking features in the smallest possible form factors, enabling drones developers to focus on the features of their drone, rather than the network.
Can you provide an example of how BotBlox’s Ethernet solutions enhance drone functionality for applications like mapping, inspection, or autonomous navigation?
One standout case involved a customer developing an imaging payload for large aircraft. The payload included multiple cameras (visible and infrared) with varying fields of view, generating vast amounts of video data for applications like wildfire mapping and search-and-rescue.
Using our UbiSwitch, the team achieved seven gigabit Ethernet streams with link aggregation for redundancy on key cameras. They connected the payload to the aircraft via a 10 Gbps fiber link and used SPEBlox for telemetry and control, leveraging single-pair Ethernet to minimize wiring complexity and improve reliability. This solution reduced weight, improved functionality, and streamlined system integration—key factors for the project’s success.
How does BotBlox envision its Ethernet solutions influencing the broader adoption of standardized communication protocols in the drone industry, and how will Ethernet technology evolve to support future demands?
As drones become more advanced, the demand for unified network infrastructures grows. Ethernet is ideally positioned to become the standard communication bus for drones, and BotBlox is leading this charge. We’ll continue to innovate, reducing the size and weight of Ethernet hardware while introducing new features to support emerging applications in drones and robotics.
It’s been great talking to you about the integration of BotBlox Ethernet technology within unmanned systems, thank you for sharing these insights.
