Description

3D Link provides robust video and control channels for drones and robotics in Non Line-of-Sight (NLOS) conditions.

3D Link is based on enhanced OFDM technology able to generate not only a high spectral efficiency waveforms but also a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) waveforms. This unique feature gives 3D Link an ability to support high throughput up to 64 Mbps in video channel and superior robustness in control channel.

Video channel can be easily connected through Ethernet interface. Ethernet, RS232 or CAN interfaces can be used for control channel.

3D Link supports point-to-point, point-to-multipont and relay net topologies. For high robustness it is equipped with algorithms for suppression of narrowband and pulse interference. 3D Link supports also such interesting features as an adaptive transmission power control, TX-RX range estimation and IPv4 frames routing.

Onboard unit of 3D Link weights only 89 grams (3.14 ounces).

Range

3D Link was designed for maximum possible range in mind. For drone flight over flat terrain at 50 m altitude and with standard antennas set 3D Link can communicate up to 20 km in video channel and up to 28 km in control channel. For flight at 500 m altitude range achieves 62 km and 70 km respectively.

Relay (repeater) mode

3D Link supports relay mode for a range extension and also for bypassing of the shadowed zones in urban and industrial areas. In this mode you can get video not only from distant drone but from relay drone too.

3D Link is a single solution for video and control channels

You need not more separate modems for video and control channels. For video channel 3D Link uses a high spectral efficiency waveform able to reach 64 Mbps rate in a 20 MHz bandwidth channel.

A maximal robust DSSS waveform is used for control channel where −122 dBm RX sensitivity is achieved and interference is suppressed.

single solution for video and control channels

Network

3D Link supports communication to several drones from one ground station. You can get video from several drones and control them simultaneously. Opposite configuration is also possible when one drone is controlled from several ground stations and send video to them.

NLOS performance

3D Link uses technologies that supports robust communications in NLOS conditions between drone and ground station. Many algorithms in 3D Link collect components of dispersed signal and correct errors for robust control and crystal clear video.

Even for 800 km/h drone velocity you can be sure for reliable communication.

Technical specification

Communication range over flat terrain with a standard antenna set and for 2 m (6.56 ft) ground station antenna height:
- scenario 1 — 6.1 Mbps in video channel and 85 kbps in control channel for 50 m (164 ft) drone altitude: up to 20 km (12.4 miles) in video channel and up to 33 km (20.5 miles) in control channel;
- scenario 2 — 6.1 Mbps in video channel and 85 kbps in control channel for 500 m (1640 ft) drone altitude: up to 62 km (38.5 miles) in video channel and up to 78 km (48.5 miles) in control channel;
- scenario 3 — 85 kbps in control channel with an increased robustness profile for 500 m (1640 ft) drone altitude: up to 83 km (51.5 miles).
Throughput: configurable from 15 kbps up to 64 Mbps (see 3D Link's datasheet for more information).
Communication technology: proprietary scalable OFDM with 1024 subcarriers.
Duplexing mode: TDD.
Bandwidth: 1–20 MHz (smoothly variable).
Modulation: BPSK; QPSK; 8QAM; 16QAM; 64QAM; 256QAM.
FEC: LDPC.
FEC rates: 1/2; 2/3; 3/4; 5/6.
Spread spectrum mode features:
- spreading factor: 2‒106 (any even number);
- SNR (BER=10⁻⁶, spreading factor 106): −17.0 dB;
- maximal signal search duration: 1 sec.
RX diversity
Air link frame duration: 2–20 ms.
Cyclic prefix duration: 1/32; 1/16; 1/8; 1/4.
Carrier frequency: 2.4–2.5 GHz (other frequencies are available on request).
Maximal TX output power: +25 dBm.
Ability to use different carrier frequencies for video and control channels or for links ground station → drone and drone → ground station.
RX sensitivity is up to −122 dBm. See 3D Link datasheet for more information.
Maximal latency 20 msec.
Supported network topologies: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, relay (repeater).
Interfaces:
- Ethernet 100 BASE-TX;
- RS232;
- CAN (in onboard unit only);
- USB 2.0 (for service only);
- SMA (antenna port).
Support for MAVLink or proprietary protocols in control channel.
User can change DSSS codes.
Free SDR_Surfer software for configuration, service and statistics.
Net configurations:
- transparent bridge;
- IPv4 router.
GPS receiver in ground unit.
Power:
- onboard unit: 7–30 V;
- ground unit: 18–75 V or PoE.
Power consumption: 6.7 W (12 MHz bandwidth, full TX mode +25 dBm).
Operating temperature range: –40°C/+85°C (–40°F/+185°F) for an OEM onboard unit with external cooler; –40°C/+45°C (–40°F/+113°F) for onboard unit in case or for ground unit.
Physical dimensions of onboard unit: 77(L)х45(W)х25(H) mm; (3.03(L)х1.77(W)х0.98(H) inch) for version in case, 77(L)х45(W)х19.3(H) mm; (3.03(L)х1.77(W)х0.76(H) inch) for OEM version.
Onboard unit weight: 89 grams (3.14 ounces) for version in case, 54.5 grams (1.92 ounces) for OEM.

Package content:

3D Link package contains the following items:

onboard unit ( 1);
ground unit ( 1);
aerial antenna (2);
ground antenna (2);
cable for aerial antenna (2);
cable for ground antenna (2);
mounting kit for ground antenna (1).

You can buy these items separately.

Downloads:

3D Link datasheet