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%.