Emergency communication "new force"! Tethered drones will welcome large-scale commercial use

In recent years, the development of tethered drones has been accelerating. With major communication operators actively promoting related tests and their impressive performance in actual disaster rescue operations, tethered drones are rapidly moving toward large-scale commercial use, promising a very broad market prospect in the future.

### The Need for Emergency Communication

As we approach mid-August 2018, China remains in the flood season, with natural disasters such as floods, mudslides, and severe weather conditions like typhoons and heavy rain still posing significant threats. When severe natural disasters strike, large-scale communication outages often occur in affected areas. This not only inconveniences the communication needs of the affected population but also hampers disaster relief efforts.

Traditionally, establishing emergency communication stations and restoring base stations in disaster zones has been inefficient, costly, and challenging. However, with the advancement of drone technology and the increasing maturity of communication technology, new and convenient methods for providing emergency communication in disaster areas have emerged.

### Drones Assisting Emergency Communication

Whether due to natural disasters or remote geographical locations, the need for reliable communication is urgent. However, providing emergency or relay communication quickly and conveniently is no easy task. Fortunately, the rapid development of the drone industry and the widespread application of various drone products have changed this. With advantages such as mobility, simplicity, and ease of operation, drones can effectively undertake emergency communication tasks and play a significant role in assisting disaster relief efforts.

Traditional emergency communication vehicles have long been the "mainstay" for ensuring temporary communication. However, due to technical limitations and hardware constraints, these vehicles often have a limited service range and weaker signal stability. Moreover, they may be unable to reach the core disaster areas due to road collapses or congestion, making it difficult to provide timely emergency communication services.

Generally, altitude is a key factor affecting the coverage range of wireless communication. Compared to emergency communication vehicles, using drones to provide communication services offers more stable signals and broader coverage. Drones are also not constrained by terrain or road conditions, enabling them to quickly establish temporary communication networks in disaster areas to meet the needs of rescue operations and communication.

### The Rise of Tethered Drones

In China, research and application of drone-based emergency communication began relatively early. Previously, due to factors such as flight performance, endurance, and payload capacity, medium and large fixed-wing drones and unmanned helicopters were primarily used as emergency communication platforms. In recent years, with the development of multi-rotor drones, new forces have been added to the emergency communication platform.

However, since most multi-rotor drones are small in size and have limited battery life, they cannot achieve prolonged hovering. As a result, industry players have developed a new type of drone: the tethered drone. Compared to other drones, tethered drone communication base stations offer three major advantages:

1. **Strong Endurance**: The key difference between tethered drones and conventional drones lies in the "tethered" aspect. By using a cable to connect the drone, tethered drones performing emergency communication tasks can receive sufficient power support, enabling them to hover for extended periods and better meet communication needs.
2. **High Mobility**: Tethered drones can be carried by small off-road vehicles, allowing them to quickly reach disaster or mission areas. Even in the face of road blockages, they can leverage their altitude and flexibility to play a crucial role.
3. **Ease of Use**: Tethered drone communication base stations can be flexibly configured with relevant equipment and modules based on different scenarios and needs. This makes them relatively simple to operate, requiring minimal training for pilots, who can often be ready for deployment after a short period of instruction.

### Frequent Successes of Tethered Drones

Thanks to these advantages, the development prospects of tethered drones are highly regarded by the market, with major communication operators actively expanding their presence. For instance, in 2016, China Mobile conducted tests of tethered drone emergency high-altitude base stations in Hunan and Beijing. During the 2017 Hunan floods and the Jiuzhaigou earthquake, China Mobile deployed tethered drone communication base stations to meet the emergency communication needs of the affected areas.

Additionally, at MWC 2018, China Mobile showcased tethered drone emergency high-altitude base stations at its exhibition booth, attracting widespread attention from industry professionals and visitors from around the world. This demonstrates that the practical application of tethered drones has matured, meeting the basic conditions for initial large-scale commercial use.

In the future, with further advancements in drone and communication technologies, tethered drones are expected to continue improving their performance, helping countries better respond to natural disasters and geographical limitations. Driven by the growing demand for emergency and relay communication, tethered drones may become a new standout in the drone industry, with a promising market outlook.