Verbal communication is the primary form of communication at the airport, but it is limited to how loudly we can shout. It’s impossible to transmit one’s voice over several kilometers, and yet often skydivers are several kilometers away from the take-off point. To solve this problem, all you need is to use aviation radio, set a common frequency, and communicate using it. However, in practice, even though voice communication is possible, the challenge becomes what to say over the radio. If we are to make rational decisions, they must be based on good situational awareness. From the vantage point of the airfield, our sense of sight allows us to do just that. We can see what someone is doing and react accordingly. However, the situation is not straightforward. Observing what is happening in the air can be difficult: it’s hard to locate a skydiver in the sky, and determining what they are doing requires eagle-eyed vision. With this in mind, we designed the GURU module, which consists of:

• data transmission module,
• video transmission module.

They are possible to use as a combined data source for the GUIDE instructor station or separately.

What is unique about our data transmission module? After all, wireless networks work in every home, and high transmission speeds are readily available. However, further questions need to be asked.

• Will we achieve connectivity to a home Wi-Fi network from several kilometers away?
• Does the GSM network work when flying in an airplane?
• Do we realize what the maximum allowable transmitting power is by regulations?

So, the transmitting power, mainly in combination with the selected transmission frequency, determines the maximum achievable range. In our solution, we focused on ensuring that our system performs well in airport conditions and enables the acquisition of data on skydiving and paragliding flights that were previously unavailable. With this in mind, we developed the ground segment of the system based on an omnidirectional antenna, which in conducted tests demonstrated the ability to transmit up to 30 km. Additionally, it allows for:

• visualization of data in GUIDE along with automatic warnings about dangerous flight conditions,
• simultaneous supervision of a group of up to 10 skydivers equipped with GUARDA-TE recorders,
• viewing the position, altitude, and direction of flight on the map,
• transferring advanced flight parameters (rate of descent, spatial orientation angles, ground speed),

Are you thinking that what you see from the ground and at the instructor’s station may not be enough for communication? Sometimes that might be the case… For example, when you want to see real-time images from the air. With that in mind, we designed a video transmission system. The GURU-VIS module allows you to connect to any Android device, which will serve as the source of camera data. This could also be AR glasses. However, the challenge lies in achieving transmission ranges that allow for receiving this data from a long distance away. The developed directional antennaunkowa enables transmission ranges that enable extended monitoring with data visualization in GUIDE. During the project implementation, we confirmed the possibility of video transmission with a range of up to 5 km.

We are aware that the ability to transport system components can be crucial for acquiring the device. Therefore, we have worked to ensure that the use of our system is trouble-free. First and foremost, we focused on ensuring that the transmission parameters were optimal. After all, what good would a transmission system be if it couldn’t communicate? Hence, we utilized tripods that allow for quick transport and improve the conditions for radio wave propagation for the antennas used. Another aspect was the ability to use the system even in small centers. We are aware that few of them can afford to purchase a transport vehicle solely for the purpose of transporting the antenna… and that’s why our solution features small dimensions and mobility. You can easily transport the transmission system by car. There’s one more thing we’re proud of. Our transmission modules have battery power and Wi-Fi modems. This allows you to set up the antenna where it’s best for obtaining good transmission ranges (away from the hangar), while monitoring the flight using GUIDE from a shaded or air-conditioned room.

Our transmission system has been designed within the PSSP-01 framework as a link between the airborne segment elements (GUARDA-TE recorders) and the ground segment elements (GUIDE instructor station), enabling real-time supervision of aviation operations. With it, at any given moment, using the GUIDE nstructor station and GUARDA-TE recorders, you gain the ability to actively monitor the flight, and in the case of the version with video transmission, to have a live view of what’s happening in the air.

The transmission module has been entirely designed and produced by us. Are you considering an alternative application? Do you want to monitor the operation of other flying objects? Do you need to expand the system for a larger group of users? Or perhaps you are interested in adapting the system to a different frequency? Contact us, and we will try to help you. We offer on-demand solutions:

• developing devices for data transmission,
• designing dedicated transmission protocols,
• estimating the budget for radio transmission bandwidth,
• testing radio transmission systems.