Connected Oil Fields in Peru
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is one of the largest energy companies in the world with operations in 28 countries. In May 2017, CNPC announced it would invest $2 billion in an oil and natural gas block in the southern part of Peru. Beyond the recent investment, CNPC has had a presence in Peru for more than 20 years, including oil fields in the northern portion of the country. To optimize operations in 2009, CNPC ran a pilot test in Piura, Peru to find the ideal communication solution for monitoring, collecting and transporting data. Piura is a coastal city located near the equator where the average temperatures hover around 95 degrees Fahrenheight. To connect the oil fields into the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, CNPC needed a communication technology built to withstand harsh weather, such as high temperatures, large amounts of rain, wind and a variety of other environmental factors. The goal of the pilot was to have several test sites reporting to a gateway and then into a SCADA system to monitor several pumping devices and equipment including: Pump of Controller (POC), Pump Cavity Progressive (PCP), Balance Oil Recovery System (BORS) and plunger lift. FHSS for Oil and Gas In the Piura test case, the distances between links weren’t long, but depressions, canyons and steams made line-of-site (LOS) a challenge. CNPC, who tested multiple Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication solutions in Piura, found that FreeWave’s Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology solutions offered the most reliable connectivity in comparison to other solutions used during the test. FreeWave solutions also use repeaters that helped establish and maintain connectivity despite the lack of LOS. Additionally, the links were established easily and fast in comparison to other solutions that were a part of the test. During the entire three-month pilot, the FHSS-based M2M solutions did not lose communication or the ability to send data to the SCADA system. Industrially hardened, ruggedized FHSS technology has proven to be reliable in in many oil and gas installations around the world. As the Industrial IoT (IIoT) drives connectivity, we continue to see the demand for reliable communication links in environments like Piura that can have challenging conditions. FHSS technology offers not only a reliable, easy to install communication link, but it easily integrates into today’s modern IIoT networks. To get the full story about the test sites in Piura, read the case study: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/china-national-petroleum-company/
Can Oil and Gas Keep Up with Digital Disruption?
The oil and gas industry has faced transformational potential in the last several years. As a critical piece of infrastructure for nearly every industry – and the economy – it’s ability to keep pace with the lightning rate of technological upheaval has been challenged. The convergence of IoT, the Cloud and Big Data has created a whirlwind of possibilities, but the major challenge will be whether the industry can successfully unify its data collection and transport at the necessary scale. There are several factors that will determine the ultimate success of this data: hardware capable of handling the consistently rugged environment, reliable connectivity, a general consensus on the best programming language for widespread use, and the applications capable of transforming Big Data into Smart Data. Rugged Hardware Most well pads are set in remote environments where the conditions are rugged or downright extreme. Not only are RF communications greatly affected by these conditions, but as the connectivity shifts toward (potentially) remote WiFi, then the devices must not only be more sophisticated, but that sophistication must be ruggedized as well. We recently published a case study that shows how our radios held up in a cool use-case in Antarctica for data collection in an extremely harsh environment. Granted, most oil companies are not looking Antarctica as a possible drilling location, but the visual does a good job of showing just how rugged the hardware needs to be. It cannot fail when delivering data to companies, as that data is more important than ever. Reliable Connectivity There are several different methods for connectivity at remote locations, but two that are gaining ground on traditional systems are Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and WiFi. Of the two, WiFi faces the greatest obstacles because it relies on several different transfer or booster points, but its strengths as a transport method are starting to outweigh some of those challenges. FHSS has been around for quite a while, but the technology, surprisingly, is still somewhat misunderstood. The ripple effect from its applications are felt throughout many industries, but the key differentiators are its consistency and reliability. Programming Languages Today, there is hardware on the market that is capable of putting proprietary, third-party applications at the edge. But, in order for these apps to be effective, the industry needs to find the programming language that best serves the need. It’s similar to when personal computers were first hitting the market. Each PC company wanted its computer to run its own kind of software, but the industry ultimately realized that best chance for success was to create a standard. Since then, even though open source is still a critical piece of software development, most PCs and other platforms can basically run the same kind of software. This same approach to standardization needs to be taken with programming languages or the battle for supremacy will continue to fracture an industry at a time when it needs cohesion for maximum growth. Edge Applications Speaking of finding a unified programming language, the result of that will be an explosion of applications that can be deployed on the aforementioned hardware. Once companies have the ability to create these applications to fit specific needs, then they will be able to take Big Data and turn it into Smart Data. A hallmark of the Industrial IoT, and what separates it from basic machine-to-machine communication, is the intelligence. Smarter applications means smarter data means more efficiency. Many of these platforms are still in their infancies, but we’ve seen evidence of a strong groundswell bringing these to the forefront. Ultimately, if these four components can come together in the right way, the oil and gas industry will be able to reap the benefits. And, frankly, they will be reaping these benefits long before other industrially oriented markets. Aligning these needs is not easy, but the potential exists as long as oil and gas companies embrace the disruption and unify the data.
Diving Deep Into the Internet of Underwater Things
Much has been said and done regarding the Internet of Things (IoT) across the terrestrial and aerial environments – just look at the proliferation of robotics, drones and unmanned vehicles being used across the globe. But, what about our submarine world? Does the IoT only apply to systems above water?This week we are going to take a “deep dive” into the life aquatic and see what forms the IoT is taking underwater. As many scientists and researchers continue to demonstrate, there is much to be learned about life underwater, especially when it comes to the largest bodies of water on the planet – the seas and oceans. The development of an Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) would certainly help make the discovery, recording and transmission of information a lot easier, especially if it would in turn be limiting the manual intervention of humans. Collecting and transmitting data throughout large bodies of water could enable a system of roaming, autonomous vehicles and underwater sensors, all communicating with each other and relaying information to networks above the surface. This could be used for a wide range of underwater tasks, from pipeline repairs and crash site surveys to seismic and ecological monitoring applications. As Richard Mills, director of sales at Norwegian AUV and marine robot developer Kongsberg Maritime, states in an interview with NauticExpo e-magazine, “there are an incredible number of possibilities for IoUT and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The technology has finite bounds, but new applications are only limited by our imagination.” Underwater Apps Bound by Tech Limits Before the IoUT can become a practical endeavor, engineers, scientists and researchers still have plenty of work to do to make it a reality. One of the biggest challenges surrounding the IoUT is the fact that underwater data communications are somewhat limited and unconventional as compared to the systems that work above water. The science behind underwater communications requires different thinking and technology requirements – for example, the electromagnetic waves used by conventional WiFi networks only travel a few centimeters in water. Furthermore, background noise from marine life and anthropogenic activity can also lead to signal interference. Also, the cost of implementing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) comes at a significant cost as compared to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which looks to be the replacement in the near future. An AUV’s ability to function without manual human intervention is already a huge advantage and the cost of deploying an AUV is significantly lower than that of an ROV, while their autonomous nature minimizes the human effort needed during missions. As the IoUT develops, it will facilitate new ways for AUVs to interact with the subsea environment. Such vehicles increasingly will be used to harvest data from instruments on the seabed for scientific monitoring and surveying oilfield infrastructure, for example. With better submarine communications, the use of AUVs is already diversifying. There is an increasing number of deep-water and under-ice research projects, and new applications in defense and shallow-water seabed imagery rising to the surface. At FreeWave, we’ll be keeping a close eye on these developments as the possibilities for underwater IoT applications abound.
FreeWave Named Bronze Winner by American Business Awards and IT World Awards
We here are FreeWave are excited to announce that our ZumLink 900 Radio Series and Industrial IoT Programmable Radio (IPR) have been named bronze award winners by the American Business Awards and the IT World Awards, respectively. The ZumLink 900 series is comprised of the Z9-PE, Z9-T and Z9-C – all of which provide extensive future-proof networking capabilities and are specifically designed to function in extreme, rugged environments. The IIoT Programmable Radio combines the same rugged functionality of the 900 series, along with the added capability of hosting third-party applications that can be deployed at the network’s edge to facilitate secure smart data collection, transport and control. “Our ZumLink technology has been a driving factor behind our ongoing mission to bring intelligence to the network edge,” said Scott Allen, CMO of FreeWave Technologies. “We understand that there is a demand for rugged hardware that can perform the same next-gen data collection, transport and control capabilities of advanced, back-office IT operations. We are extremely excited for the future of not only our technology, but the ongoing transformation of Industrial IoT at-large.” Both the ZumLink 900 series and the IPR are powered by FreeWave’s Zumboost™ technology, which incorporates several leading-edge components of data packet compression and aggregation, as well as forward error correction. These tools not only allow for increased data security, but also enable high-speed transmission critical to the fast-paced functionality demands of the Industrial IoT. Share this: .@freewavetech named bronze winner for ZumLink 900 series & IPR #IIoT networking solution stevieawards.com/aba/2017-new-product-award-winners & www.networkproductsguide.com/world/
Industrially Hardened Time Keeping
Today, a wide variety of industries with outdoor OT assets require technology that can connect the assets to a modern communication network. Depending on the application, the solution is not always as simple as slapping on a cellular or standard WiFi solution. For one, many industries have assets located in remote locations where cellular coverage is limited and long range communication is required. The OT network must also be highly secure and have the ability to avoid interference. Additionally, any outdoor communication network is subject to weather and natural elements. The best hope for maintaining reliable, secure, real-time connectivity is with a solution that is ruggedized, industrially hardened and proven to work in the most extreme environments. Recently we talked about wireless communication solutions used in Antarctica, that are performing under some of the most extreme conditions in the planet. These Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)-based technologies are built to last and perform with a secure connection. Did you know that the same solutions have also made their way into the sport of boat racing? When November rolls around each year, rowing enthusiasts gather in Chatanooga, Tenn. For the Head of the Hooch race. A total length of 5,000 meters, it is one of the largest and fastest growing regattas in the U.S. Each year more than 2,000 boats race over the course of two days. Participants come in from all over the U.S. and the event has hosted international teams from Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia. Real-Time Accuracy The race is organized by the Atlanta Rowing Club. In the early days, organizers relied upon stopwatches for keeping time. As the race grew and more boats participated, the manual method of time keeping was no longer feasible. Organizers needed a time keeping solution with a link strong enough to deliver race results in real-time in any weather condition. Organizers selected an industrially hardened wireless communication solution and used it in conjunction with a timing system built for downhill skiing races. The system offers precise timing accuracy – down to 1/10th second for each boat. The wireless solution uses FHSS technology that is typically used in utility-scale Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. These types of solutions have been used for monitoring and control of outdoor assets in the utility industries for decades and have proven to ensure accurate, real-time connectivity in harsh, remote locations. Not only is the “hopping” nature of FHSS inherently secure, but there are solutions with AES-encryption and other advanced security features to further secure the network. The solutions also offer a range of 60 miles Line-of-Site (LOS), and have proven to be ideal for the Head of the Hooch race. Over the years, races have been conducted in cold, rainy, cloudy and/or windy weather, and the solution has reliably performed in all whether conditions present during the race. Rugged, industrially hardened communication solutions that are well known in the oil/gas and utilities markets – aren’t always the initial choice for connecting non-industrial outdoor networks. In some cases, decision makers in these markets may simply be unfamiliar with the benefits of FHSS. What they need to know is that FHSS solutions have been trusted for years to provide long-range, real-time connectivity, and they are often ideal for a variety of use cases outside of industrial markets. Read the full Head of the Hooch case study here: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/head-of-the-hooch/
IIoT Top News — Security Remains Top of Mind
Cybersecurity has been top of mind for industry experts and consumers alike. The WannaCry ransomware is putting a legitimate scare into affected companies, although many are apparently preparing to call the hackers’ bluff. Yesterday, another cyberattack was announced as well, and it has the potential to be far more lucrative for the developers. The common denominator between the two? A leaked exploit developed by the NSA that leverages a Windows file-sharing protocol. These attacks are indicative of the long-term game of cat and mouse that the government and private enterprise faces for the foreseeable future of security and counterintelligence. Moving forward, the growing network of connected devices for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) faces similar security threats. This week, we found several stories demonstrating some of the solutions surrounding those potential security issues. The 9 Best Practices for IIoT from a Dell Security Expert At a recent presentation for 2017 Dell EMC World Conference, Rohan Kotian, Dell EMC’s senior product manager for IoT security, spoke about his nine best practices for improved IIoT security. His number one strategy? Simply understanding the concerns. Many IoT devices come out of the box with few security controls in place, and understanding the risk is the most important step in addressing them. In this article from Tech Republic, you can read Mr. Kotian’s other nine best practices, including studying the attack trends, classifying risk, and leveraging fog computing. IIoT Market Expected to Approach One Trillion Dollars by 2025 Grand View Research writes that the industrial Internet of Things will experience explosive growth over the next decade, going from a $109 billion industry in 2016 to an expected $933.62 billion by 2025. The massive market increase will be driven by a number of factors, one of which continued investment by government agencies and corporate leaders. As the report states, “The role of the Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly becoming more prominent in enabling easy access to devices and machines. Government-sponsored initiatives and innovative efforts made by key companies, such as Huawei, GE, and Cisco, are anticipated to enhance the adoption of IIoT worldwide over the forecast period.” IIoT Presents Unique Security Challenges Security is always a top priority in the Internet of Things, but IIoT applications present unique challenges. In this article from CSO Online, Phil Neray, CyberX’s vice president of industrial cybersecurity, writes that despite the growth of IoT applications in oil, gas, electric, and pharmaceuticals, “The fact is that all of these devices were designed a long time ago.” That means IIoT innovators have the challenge of integrating the newest technology into systems that may be decades old. This sort of retrofitting can make security a real challenge and there are few experts available who have both the knowledge of legacy systems and the latest IIoT solutions. Sprint to Deploy LTW Cat 1 by End Of July The Internet of Things relies heavily on low-power communication protocols to perform, so a recent announcement on FierceWireless.com that Sprint will be releasing LTE Cat 1 by the end of July is music to IoT developer’s ears. LTE Cat 1 is designed to support low-power applications on the Sprint network such as vehicle telematics and industrial IoT applications. “As one of the leading enablers and solution providers of the internet of things, Ericsson believes in its power to transform industries and capture new growth,” said Glenn Laxdal, head of Network Products for Ericsson North America. “Ericsson looks forward to partnering with Sprint to deploy Cat M1 next year and bring the transformative power of IoT to the Sprint Nationwide network.” The announcement also noted that Cat M would be following in mid-2018. TE Cat M1 and LTE Cat NB1 will support other applications requiring ultralow-throughput and power consumption.
Do You Speak the Languages of Industrial IoT?
There is an ongoing transition from a world where having an internet connection was sufficient, to a world where ubiquitous connectivity is quickly becoming the norm. The ability to gather and transport data at high speeds from anywhere is leading to increased automation, smart-everything (vehicles, homes, appliances – you name it), and a standardization of languages and protocols that make the possibilities nearly endless. Recently, IEEE and Eclipse Foundation completed surveys that provided a snapshot on tools, platforms and solutions being used by engineers and programmers alike to build the Internet of Things. According to Joe McKendrick for RTInsights.com, there were several notable conclusions to be drawn from the results, including the revelation that, of the 713 tech professionals surveyed, nearly 42 percent said their companies currently deploy an IoT solution, and 32 percent said they will be deploying/working with an IoT solution over the next 18 months. Additionally, RT Insights writes: “In terms of areas of concentration, 42% report they are working with IoT-ready middleware, while 41% are concentrating on home automation solutions. Another 36% are working with industrial automation as part of their IoT efforts. One-third are working on IoT for smart cities, and the same number are building smart energy solutions.” An interesting note from those conclusions is that 36 percent are working with industrial automation as part of their IoT efforts. Earlier this year, we predicted that Industrial IoT (IIoT) app development would outpace consumer IoT apps, and although this sample size is somewhat limited, it still bodes well for the development of the IIoT sector that is just starting to come into its own. Among IoT developers, there has been a bit of debate over the programming languages that best suit IoT apps. There are situationally appropriate uses for the main languages, but currently, the majority of developers prefer Java and the C language. For developers, being able to build out IoT apps that can work across platforms is a giant step toward standardization. Specifically, in the Industrial IoT, being able to build apps that can function at the Edge to enable smart data collection is a becoming an unofficial mandate for any companies hoping to transition legacy OT operations into the IT/OT convergence movement taking place across critical industries. Of course, building apps is a meaningless task if the hardware being deployed can’t host those apps, a finding that was demonstrated by the survey: Hardware associated with IoT implementations include sensors, used at 87% of sites, along with actuators (51%), gateways and hub devices (50%), and edge node devices (36%). This Edge functionality and sensor deployment are two pieces that are driving the adaption of IoT technology across industries that have traditionally relied on data as the main tool for decision making. However, with smarter hardware, these industries now have the opportunity to improve the efficiency of that decision making – a transformative capability in the industrial realm. Join FreeWave’s ZumLink IPR Pilot Program! What if you could….. Collect, analyze and react to data in real-time at the sensor edge? Reduce BIG DATA that clogs data pipelines? Minimize the cost of expensive PLCs? Control your sensor at the closest touchpoint? The ZumLink IPR App Server Radio combines 900 MHz wireless telemetry with the ability to program and host 3rd party Apps for intelligent control and automation of remote sensors and devices. To participate in the pilot program, visit: https://www.freewave.com/zumlink-ipr-pilot-program/. Pilot Program participants: Receive a complimentary hardware/software Dev Kit Get support from FreeWave software engineers Should have App developer’s skills Let’s discuss: Use cases that would help you or your organization solve a problem Problems you would like to solve Developers that could build this App
Smart Border Protection
Plans for “The Wall” at the U.S./Mexico border appear to be driving forward. Recent reports indicate that building the border protection wall could cost upwards of $22 Billion. However, news coverage suggests that there is a more cost-effective solution in using drones to create a ‘virtual wall.’ Time will tell whether the current administration will consider replacing all or parts of the physical wall with modern drone technology to intelligently monitor rural and desolate parts of the border. In fact, some are reporting that it’s a possibility. On the other hand, several companies have already been selected to build prototypes of the border wall. Perhaps the final solution will be some combination of both, as The Department of Homeland is actively seeking border monitoring solutions in drones for Border Patrol. Drones at the Border In 2014, it was reported that Predator drones were patrolling nearly half the U.S./Mexico border. These drones were used to monitor rural areas for illegal immigrants, human traffickers and drug cartels – covering parts of the border where there are no US Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) agents, camera towers, ground sensors or fences. The Predator drones used for these purposes were designed for the battlefield, and unfortunately a report from December 2014 found that they did not achieve the intended results. Today, The Department of Homeland Security is looking to use smaller drones with facial recognition as part of its Silicon Valley Innovation Program – a program created to, “cultivate relationships with technology innovators, particularly non-traditional performers, from small start-ups to large companies, investors, incubators, and accelerators.” A contractor solicitation notice that was issued last summer (and closed on April 27, 2017) by DHS requested specific requirements for these border patrol drones. According to NBC News, the Department of Homeland Security was “flooded with bids” for these smaller drones. Here’s a small sampling of what the solicitation was requesting (see the full solicitation for the detailed list of requirements): Functional across a variety of weather conditions and times of day Ability to detect the following items of interest within required detection range: humans traveling on foot (alone and in groups), humans traveling on animals (e.g., horseback), and moving ground conveyances (e.g., All Terrain Vehicles, motorcycles, automobiles, and trucks Easy to navigate and operate Sophisticated sensors, with advanced capabilities – such as infrared and facial recognition capabilities sUAS capabilities (sUAS typically applies to smaller consumer-grade drones under 55 pounds) Hypothetical natural language voice command system While the request includes a broad range of desired capabilities, an article in The Verge suggested that, “the greatest challenge facing contractors is how to stream data from the devices, since much of the border lacks conventional cellular service.” Connecting Where Cellular Can’t From a technology standpoint, consumer-grade drones for border patrol are going to need secure, reliable and rugged command-and-control (C2) links. There are a number of secure wireless data communications solutions available that enable reliable C2 links. These solutions have been trusted by the government and defense industry for years, offering secure, reliable links with more than 60 miles Line of Site (LOS). There are C2 solutions providers that have operated in unmanned systems for millions of flight hours in some of the harshest weather conditions without a single broken communication link. Drone manufacturers also should consider these types of C2 solutions because they offer secure wireless data communication by leveraging data encryption capabilities that adhere to FIPS and AES standards. Some non-cellular solutions are also proven to be reliable and secure in nature which further boosts the overall data security scheme. Frequency-hopping techniques, for example, leverage coordinated, rapid changes in radio frequencies that “hop” in the radio spectrum, evading detection and the potential of interference. Some wireless products also deliver multiple user-defined cryptography keys (as many as 32 user-defined keys in some cases), providing a more robust link security by allowing the automatic and frequent changing of cryptographic keys. As drones are deployed more frequently for mission critical operations at our borders, it will be imperative to leverage secure C2 links that can support modern data needs in real-time while keeping the links secure. With the comfort of these powerful C2 links, Border Patrol agents can effectively monitor, assess and act upon threats in the most efficient manner possible.
FreeWave at AUVSI Xponential – Booth #3142
AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2017 is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited! Unmanned systems from some of the industry’s leading technology providers will be on display, and we’re looking forward to putting our embedded systems solutions out there as well (booth #3142). It’s a potentially transformative time for the unmanned systems industry. As military spending budgets increase, along with the adoption of unmanned systems for air, land and water, manufacturers and operators will need rugged, reliable and secure C2 solutions with high-speed data transmission. Reliability and security are two extremely critical factors in the ongoing development of unmanned systems solutions, especially for commercial deployments. For years, the government and defense industry has been on the forefront of secure unmanned systems, but as the commercial sector begins to utilize unmanned technology, the ability to ensure secure command and control can be the difference between reliable industry operations and serious injury. Clearly, security considerations for unmanned systems are going to be an ongoing hot topic at XPONENTIAL and into the future. We have spent the past 20 years supplying secure, rugged and reliable embedded solutions for government and defense, precision agriculture and beyond, and as a result, we hold a firm belief that the unmanned systems solutions providers for the next generation need to be hyper-vigilant with regard to the industry. With that in mind, we will be offering demonstrations of our latest C2 solutions for unmanned systems at XPONENTIAL this year. Booth attendees will get a first-hand look at our solutions, offered in a small form factor ideal for drones and robotics that have logged more than 2.5 million flight hours without a single link failure (https://www.freewave.com/unmanned-systems-drones-robots/).
A ‘Heads Up’ on Drone Safety
We all know that what goes up must come down. In the case of drones falling out of the sky, hopefully your head isn’t in the collision path. Drones are becoming increasingly popular for commercial and recreational purposes. According to a recent FAA report, this has sparked an “increase in accidents resulting in blunt impact or laceration injuries to bystanders.” The report, released late last month, generated a fair share of news coverage. It examines the dangers of drone collisions with people on the ground, the risk of injury and ways to reduce those risks. The good news, and probably most newsworthy conclusion, is that if a small drone were to hypothetically fall from the sky and collide with your head, you probably won’t die. One of the tests conducted during the study included dropping a drone on the head of a crash test dummy. The drone used in the test represented a typical drone — a Phantom 3, which weighs about 2.7 pounds. Test results determined that a drone causes significantly less damage than a wood block or steel debris. Findings also showed that the “drag,” caused by air resistance slowed the drone down much more than the wood and steel. A USA Today article reported that while there was only a 0.01 to 0.03 percent chance of a serious head injury, but there was an 11-13 percent chance of a serious neck injury. While the risk of serious injury might be lower than expected, both drone manufacturers and operators of remotely piloted aircrafts can continue to actively take responsibility for the risks by operating from a preventative and safety-focused perspective. A combination of proper training, education and reliable, secure command and control links (C2) can lead each side to a safer drone environment. Knowing the Rules Groups have formed with commercial drone safety in mind. Know Before You Fly is an organization dedicated to educating drone operators on the FAA guidelines for operation. They also offer resources on how to safely and responsibly operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The FAA report also names Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and the FAA as groups dedicated to educating hobbyist and commercial UAS users on the important requirements for piloting UAS. New drone operators who leverage the assortment of educational tools available can help champion the pursuit of responsible drone operations. Building Drones with Reliability and Safety in Mind In addition to training and education from the operator perspective, when the right command-and-control (C2) solution is in place, drone operations can become much more safe and reliable. Secure wireless data communication solutions that leverage data encryption capabilities, adhering to FIPS and AES standards, are already heavily relied on for mission-critical government and defense applications. Additionally, certain types of wireless solutions, like Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Technologies (FHSS) are secure in their nature. For example, frequency-hopping techniques can leverage coordinated, rapid changes in radio frequencies that literally “hop” in the radio spectrum, thus evading detection and the potential of interference Some wireless products also can deliver multiple user-defined cryptography keys (as many as 32 user-defined keys in some cases), providing more robust link security by allowing the automatic and frequent changing of cryptographic keys. In addition to secure data, these solutions also offer distance. There are FHSS radio solutions that can transmit more than 60 miles Line-of-Sight (LOS). When the communication links are robust and prevent interference, they are much less likely to be jammed or disrupted, ultimately preventing drone performance issues (i.e., falling from the sky). This is a very important consideration because of the growing number of unmanned vehicles operating in industrial and commercial sectors today. With a secure and reliable wireless C2 link, these technical issues are substantially reduced. Drones have opened the door for many hobbyist and commercial opportunities, but that also means there are more inexperienced operators. If an operator educates themselves on the FAA guidelines and safety procedures when operating a drone, and the manufacturers build in a secure and reliable C2 link that works over long distances, then both are taking the steps to decrease drone-related injuries. Although the FAA report shows the risk of serious injury and death is low, manufacturers and operators still need to keep safety a top priority.