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

Practical guidance for designing UAV communications that keep flying beyond line of sightThis 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 operations- Propagation behavior, fading, interference, and antenna effects over long distances- Modulation, FEC, HARQ, and link adaptation for constrained airborne links- Satellite system choices across GEO, MEO, and LEO environments- Relay planning, multi-hop coverage, and handover considerations- Hybrid networking strategies for path selection and failover- Network, transport, and QoS design for intermittent and high-latency links- Security measures for authentication, encryption, anti-jamming, and integrity- Hardware integration topics, including antennas, RF front ends, and power limits- Testing, monitoring, troubleshooting, and implementation checklistsEach 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.