Drone Remote ID Frequency Explained for US and International Development

In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has designated a specific frequency for drone remote ID, which is 941.5 MHz for both the drone and the receiver.

Drone remote ID frequencies for international development are set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and vary by country.

The ITU has allocated the 941.5 MHz frequency for drone remote ID in some countries, but not all.

In the US, the FAA has mandated the use of remote ID for drones weighing over 0.55 pounds, starting in 2023.

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To comply with the Remote ID regulations, you'll need to meet the minimum performance requirements outlined in Part 89. Here are the key takeaways:

The Administrator may authorize operations without remote identification for aeronautical research or to show compliance with regulations.

A standard remote identification unmanned aircraft must meet specific minimum performance requirements, including control station location, time mark, and tamper resistance.

The remote identification equipment must be designed and produced in a way that reduces the ability of a person to tamper with the remote identification functionality.

The remote identification equipment must incorporate error correction in the broadcast of the message elements.

The remote identification equipment must not interfere with other systems or equipment installed on the unmanned aircraft.

The reported geometric position of the unmanned aircraft must be accurate to within 100 feet of the true position, with 95 percent probability.

The remote identification broadcast module must be capable of determining the take-off location of the unmanned aircraft.

The remote identification broadcast module must continuously monitor the remote identification functionality from takeoff to shutdown and provide notification of malfunction or failure.

Here's a summary of the minimum performance requirements for remote identification broadcast modules:

You can check if your aircraft is Remote ID compliant by looking up its Declaration of Compliance on the FAA's website. Note that sometimes you might need to search for the aircraft's model number or manufacturer name.

A broadcast module DOC, or Declaration of Compliance, is a crucial document that ensures a remote identification broadcast module meets the necessary requirements.

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The module must be capable of broadcasting the identity of the unmanned aircraft, consisting of the serial number assigned to the remote identification broadcast module by the person responsible for its production.

The remote identification broadcast module must also continuously monitor the remote identification functionality from takeoff to shutdown and provide notification of malfunction or failure to the person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system.

To ensure accuracy, the reported geometric position of the unmanned aircraft must be accurate to within 100 feet of the true position, with 95 percent probability, and the reported geometric altitude of the unmanned aircraft must be accurate to within 150 feet of the true geometric altitude, with 95 percent probability.

Here are the key performance requirements for remote identification broadcast modules:

The remote identification broadcast module must also be capable of broadcasting the message elements at a rate of at least 1 message per second, and the reported geometric position of the take-off location must be accurate to within 100 feet of the true geometric position, with 95 percent probability.

The US has a rich history of developing remote ID rules for drones. The concept of Remote ID began to take shape in 2015 as a response to growing concerns over safety, security, and privacy.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated the Pathfinder Program in 2016 to explore potential technological solutions, including Remote ID. The UAS Identification and Tracking ARC was established in 2017 to provide recommendations on the identification and tracking of drones.

The FAA released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in December 2019, proposing that Remote ID become mandatory for all drones in U.S. airspace. The NPRM received a substantial amount of feedback during the public comment period, with over 53,000 comments.

The final Remote ID rule was published and became effective in April 2021, mandating that all drones sold and operated in the US must carry Remote ID capability by September 2023.

Here are the three ways to comply with Remote ID:

To fly a drone in the US, you'll need to follow the FAA's remote ID rules. The Administrator may authorize operations without remote identification for aeronautical research or to show compliance with regulations.

There are three ways to comply with Remote ID: fly a drone equipped with standard remote ID, fly a drone equipped with a remote ID broadcast module, or fly in a FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area).

To check if your aircraft is remote identification compliant, visit the FAA's declaration of compliance list. You can search by aircraft model number or manufacturer name.

Here are the three ways to comply with Remote ID:

Regularly check the FAA's declaration of compliance list to see if your DOCs are still valid. The FAA has rescinded some declarations in the past, and you'll need to check for any notices published in the Federal Register.

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The FAA accepts remote identification means of compliance, including the ASTM remote ID standard. However, the FAA adds its own requirements to the standard, so make sure to check the current list of remote ID means of compliance.

Each Declaration of Compliance will explain which Means of Compliance was used.

The development of Remote ID in the US was a long and collaborative process. In 2015, early discussions about Remote ID began within the drone industry and regulatory circles as a response to growing concerns over safety, security, and privacy.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated the Pathfinder Program in 2016, which included industry partners to explore potential technological solutions, including Remote ID. This program aimed to address various operational challenges posed by drones.

The FAA established the UAS Identification and Tracking Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in 2017, which provided recommendations on the identification and tracking of drones. Its final report included a strong recommendation for establishing a Remote ID system.

The FAA released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Remote ID in December 2019, proposing that it become mandatory for all drones in U.S. airspace to transmit certain data, such as identity and location.

Over 53,000 comments were received during the public comment period, with concerns raised about privacy, the cost of compliance, and technical challenges. Despite the controversy, the final Remote ID rule was published and became effective in April 2021.

Here's a brief timeline of the key milestones in the development of Remote ID in the US:

By September 2023, all drones sold and operated in the US must carry Remote ID capability, and the industry is working to address concerns about compliance costs and privacy issues.

International Development has been a crucial aspect of drone regulation, with various countries and organizations working together to establish standards for Remote ID. Japan was among the first nations to implement drone-specific regulations in 2007.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) released its "Prototype" Commission Regulation on Unmanned Aircraft Operations in 2015, which included proposals for electronic identification and tracking of drones across EU member states. This marked a significant step towards standardizing drone operations in the region.

NASA began testing its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) concepts in 2016, which included digital services for drone identification and tracking. This was a crucial component of Remote ID systems and paved the way for future developments.

In 2017, Transport Canada issued an Interim Order for the operation of non-recreational drones, which laid the groundwork for future Remote ID requirements. This order introduced strict regulations on drone operations in Canadian airspace.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Remote ID in 2019, outlining the requirements for remote identification methods and data transmission standards. This marked a significant step towards establishing standards for Remote ID in the United States.

The European Union implemented new regulations in 2021 that required drones to be equipped with Remote ID systems, marking a significant step in standardizing drone operations across its member countries. This move aimed to ensure safer and more efficient drone operations in the region.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) proposed a global framework for drone Remote ID in 2023, aiming to standardize the requirements and practices for drone identification worldwide. This move recognized the importance of international cooperation in establishing standards for Remote ID.

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The Administrator may authorize operations without remote identification for aeronautical research or to show compliance with regulations.

This exception is specifically for operations that are solely for research or regulatory compliance.

To operate a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft, you need to meet certain conditions.

First, you must ensure that the aircraft broadcasts the message elements of § 89.305 from takeoff to shutdown. This includes the identity of the unmanned aircraft, the latitude and longitude of the control station, the geometric altitude of the control station, the latitude and longitude of the unmanned aircraft, and a time mark identifying the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) time of applicability of a position source output.

You must also land the unmanned aircraft as soon as practicable if it stops broadcasting these message elements.

To operate a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft, you must also meet specific requirements. The unmanned aircraft must have a serial number listed on an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance, or it must be covered by a design approval or production approval issued under part 21 of this chapter and meet the requirements of subpart F of this part.

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The remote identification equipment must be functional and comply with the requirements of this part from takeoff to shutdown. It must also not have been disabled.

In addition, the Certificate of Aircraft Registration of the unmanned aircraft used in the operation must include the serial number of the unmanned aircraft, or the serial number must be provided to the FAA in a notice of identification prior to the operation.

Here are the key requirements for operating a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft:

Standard remote identification unmanned aircraft must broadcast the identity of the unmanned aircraft, which can be a serial number assigned by the manufacturer or an indication of the latitude and longitude of the control station.

The identity of the unmanned aircraft is a crucial piece of information that must be broadcast by standard remote identification unmanned aircraft.

The latitude and longitude of the control station must be indicated, which is the location of the person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system.

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The geometric altitude of the control station must also be indicated, providing additional information about the unmanned aircraft's location.

A time mark identifying the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) time of applicability of a position source output must be included in the broadcast message.

The emergency status of the unmanned aircraft must be indicated, which is an important safety feature in case of an emergency.

The unmanned aircraft must continuously monitor its remote identification functionality from takeoff to shutdown and provide notification of malfunction or failure to the person manipulating the flight controls.

The remote identification equipment must incorporate error correction in the broadcast of the message elements, ensuring that the information is accurate and reliable.

The unmanned aircraft must be capable of broadcasting the message elements using a non-proprietary broadcast specification and radio frequency spectrum compatible with personal wireless devices.

The reported geometric position of the unmanned aircraft and the control station must be accurate to within 100 feet of the true position, with 95 percent probability.

The reported geometric altitude of the unmanned aircraft must be accurate to within 150 feet of the true geometric altitude, with 95 percent probability.

Remote identification broadcast modules must also broadcast the identity of the unmanned aircraft, which can be a serial number assigned by the manufacturer.

The latitude and longitude of the unmanned aircraft must be indicated, as well as the latitude and longitude of the take-off location of the unmanned aircraft.

The geometric altitude of the take-off location of the unmanned aircraft must also be indicated, providing additional information about the unmanned aircraft's location.

In order to produce a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft, a serial number must be assigned that complies with ANSI/CTA-2063-A. This standard is incorporated by reference into the FAA's regulations and is available for inspection at the FAA's Office of Rulemaking.

The serial number must be assigned by the producer, and the unmanned aircraft must meet the minimum performance requirements for standard remote identification unmanned aircraft established in § 89.310. This includes being designed and produced to meet the requirements in accordance with an FAA-accepted means of compliance.

A person responsible for the production of standard remote identification unmanned aircraft must also allow the Administrator to inspect their facilities, technical data, and any standard remote identification unmanned aircraft they produce. This is to ensure compliance with the regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established a rule for remote identification of unmanned aircraft. This rule was published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2021.

The document has been published in the Federal Register and can be viewed in the official electronic format through the PDF linked in the document sidebar. You can also comment on the rule through Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FAA-2019-1100-53264.

The rule affects 14 CFR Parts 1, 11, 47, 48, 89, 91, and 107. The document number is 2020-28948, and it has 124 pages.

The FAA has designated specific areas for remote identification, known as FAA-Recognized Identification Areas. These areas are not explicitly listed in the provided article section.

The rule is associated with the Docket No.: FAA-2019-1100 and has amendments Amdt. Nos. 1-75, 11-63, 47-31, 48-3, 89-1, 91-361, and 107-7.

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Serial numbers are a crucial aspect of unmanned aircraft production. They must comply with ANSI/CTA-2063-A, which is incorporated by reference into this section.

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The serial number must be assigned to the unmanned aircraft or remote identification broadcast module by the producer. This is a requirement for producing standard remote identification unmanned aircraft under § 89.510 or § 89.515.

The serial number is also a key identifier for the unmanned aircraft, and it must be unique to each unit. This ensures that each aircraft can be tracked and identified.

The FAA has approved the use of ANSI/CTA-2063-A as the standard for serial numbers. This standard is available for inspection at the FAA's Office of Rulemaking and the National Archives and Records Administration.

Producers must also meet all applicable requirements of part 21 of this chapter. This includes ensuring that the unmanned aircraft meets the minimum performance requirements established in § 89.310.

Reading and Mobile Devices can be a bit tricky, but I've got the lowdown. Remote ID messages are relayed through various mechanisms, including Bluetooth 4 Legacy Advertising and WiFi Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN), but the detection method is crucial.

Mobile devices can receive Remote ID messages, but there's a catch. Android devices can detect RID messages over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, while iOS devices can only pick up RID messages over Bluetooth.

Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know about mobile devices and Remote ID:

Reading Remote Identification involves providing information to law enforcement and security personnel to identify aerial threats.

The primary goal of Remote Identification is to provide information for law enforcement and other security personnel to assist in identifying aerial threats.

Remote ID messages are relayed in four mechanisms: Bluetooth 4 Legacy Advertising, Bluetooth 5 Long Range Advertising, WiFi Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN), and WiFi Beacon.

The mechanism used to relay the Remote ID message is significant in determining whether it can be detected.

The two versions of Bluetooth used for Remote ID are Bluetooth 4 Legacy Advertising and Bluetooth 5 Long Range Advertising.

These mechanisms play a crucial role in the detection of Remote ID messages.

Here are the four mechanisms used to relay Remote ID messages:

Mobile devices are an essential part of the Remote ID system, allowing users to detect and receive messages in the field.

Android devices have the flexibility to receive RID messages over both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which is a significant advantage in terms of connectivity.

iOS devices, on the other hand, can only receive RID messages over Bluetooth, which may limit their functionality in certain situations.

Here's a quick rundown of the mobile device capabilities:

This information is crucial for anyone looking to use Remote ID on their mobile device, as it affects the way they can interact with the system.

The minimum message elements broadcast by standard remote identification unmanned aircraft are quite specific. These elements include the identity of the unmanned aircraft, consisting of a serial number assigned to it by the person responsible for its production.

The identity of the unmanned aircraft must be broadcast, and it can be either the serial number or an indication of the latitude and longitude of the control station.

An indication of the latitude and longitude of the control station is also required. This information must be generated and encoded into the message elements and must correspond to the location of the person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system.

The time mark identifying the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) time of applicability of a position source output is another essential element. This time mark must be synchronized with all other remote identification message elements.

An indication of the emergency status of the unmanned aircraft is also necessary.

The unmanned aircraft must continuously monitor its remote identification functionality from takeoff to shutdown and provide notification of malfunction or failure to the person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system.

Drone remote ID frequency is a crucial aspect of drone operations, and it's essential to understand the different types of remote ID systems. There are two main types: Alternative and Standard.

The Alternative remote ID system allows drone operators to comply with remote ID requirements by meeting specific conditions, such as equipping their drones with a remote identification broadcast module that meets FAA requirements.

In the Alternative system, the remote ID broadcast module must be listed on an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance, and the drone's Certificate of Aircraft Registration must include the serial number of the module.

The Standard remote ID system, on the other hand, broadcasts remote ID messages directly from the drone via radio frequency broadcast, making it compatible with existing personal wireless devices.

Here's a comparison of the two systems:

You can operate an unmanned aircraft that isn't a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft by meeting the requirements of either paragraph (a) or (b) of § 89.115.

To operate under paragraph (a), the unmanned aircraft must be equipped with a remote identification broadcast module that meets the requirements of § 89.320 and has its serial number listed on an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance.

The Certificate of Aircraft Registration of the unmanned aircraft must also include the serial number of the remote identification broadcast module, or the serial number of the unmanned aircraft must be provided to the FAA in a notice of identification prior to the operation.

You must ensure the remote identification broadcast module broadcasts the remote identification message elements of § 89.315 directly from the unmanned aircraft from takeoff to shutdown.

The person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft at all times throughout the operation.

Prior to takeoff, the person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system must ensure the remote identification broadcast module is functioning in accordance with this subpart.

If the unmanned aircraft is no longer broadcasting the message elements of § 89.315, you must land the unmanned aircraft as soon as practicable.

Alternatively, you can operate an unmanned aircraft without remote identification equipment if it remains within the boundaries of an FAA-recognized identification area throughout the operation.

The person manipulating the flight controls of the unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft at all times throughout the operation.

Standard identification is a must for flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The remote ID message is broadcast directly from the unmanned aircraft (UA) via radio frequency, likely Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.

This broadcast will be compatible with existing personal wireless devices, making it easily accessible. The remote ID message includes essential information such as the UA's serial number or session ID, latitude and longitude, altitude, and velocity.

The remote ID message is available to most personal wireless devices within range, but correlating the serial number or session ID with the registration database is limited to the FAA and authorized law enforcement and national security personnel.

The range of the remote ID broadcast may vary, as each UA must be designed to maximize the range at which the broadcast can be received.