Data Transmissions From a Drone Using Multi-AP Wireless LAN: A Field Trial

In this paper, we advocate utilizing link–level broadcast of wireless LAN (WLAN) for real–time data transmissions from a drone to ground access points (APs) in order to enhance their robustness and spectral efficiency. A WLAN station (STA) is installed on a drone, which broadcasts its real-time data to surrounding multi–APs deployed over a ground field. In order to enhance the reliability of data transmissions, we also apply packet–level forward error correction (FEC). We conduct a field trial with our experimental testbed where all the above functions are implemented into the off–the–shelf WLAN equipment. Our experimental results show that multi–AP broadcast transmissions with packet–level FEC achieve better packet delivery ratio with smaller channel occupancy period than a common approach utilizing unicast transmissions.