LoRa-Enabled Communication System for Autonomous DJI Tello Drone Operation

The Tello drone is widely used in both educational and professional environments for telemetry, control algorithms, and real-time data processing. However, its reliance on Wi-Fi significantly limits its operational range. This paper proposes a LoRa-based communication framework designed to extend the Tello drone’s range and enable applications in long-range telemetry, remote monitoring, and autonomous flight. The system comprises: (i) a LoRa base station for route configuration and flight command transmission; (ii) a hybrid communication architecture leveraging LoRa for long-range signaling and Wi-Fi for close-range drone interaction; and (iii) a custom mounting solution integrating the Heltec V3 microcontroller, LoRa antenna, and lithium battery onto the Tello drone without compromising flight stability. Experimental results validate the successful integration and operation of all components, demonstrating the feasibility of extending the Tello drone’s range by up to four times under non-line-of-sight (NLoS) conditions, with a packet delivery ratio of 99.4%.