For a technology competition, we are developing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). We are in search of a wireless communication module. We need to transmit GPS and LIDAR sensor data, along with camera images, from the UAV to a ground station. The distance required is not very long, but it should be a minimum of around 500 meters. Additionally, a high data transfer rate is crucial for viewing camera images in real-time.
Do you have any recommendations on which module could be used?
What's your budget?
There are lots of reviews of FPV systems on Youtube.
Check the frequency and Tx power regulations in your country before buying anything.
Look at Ardupilot or paparazziuav.org and pick from their recommenden hardware list. If you need comertial consultacy you may send me a pm.
We can go up to 10,000 Turkish liras (~300USD)
I don't know what kind of data transfer rate will be needed as real-time camera images will also be sent, how can I determine this?
300 bucks ... get a wifi router and a wireless camera.
will be used not only for the camera, but also for sending gps and lidar sensor data and commands
Then add a esp32 to the bill of materials - and use the same wlan as for the camera. not that this will most likely be against any regulations - but who cares?
Perhaps not ideal to enter a competition with something that is illegal.
And what do you call 'real-time' and what data size are the images ?
There are heaps of systems that use analogue transmission for FPV video, and its not so easy to replicate that functionality via digital radio systems, appart from just using WiFi that is.
Unfortunately not suitable for the competition
analog an 500m within the regulations does not work with 300 bucks - nor does digital 
2D lidar is useless when airborn and 3D lidar not within the budget.
The camera we have now is not enough for us, so we will buy a new camera. it should be able to see the red area on the ground from a maximum altitude of meters, we have not yet decided which camera to buy
We can reduce the distance to 300 meters, but there should be no disconnection, etc.
Unless you provide some more details on image sizes, transfer rates etc, I doubt you will get a lot of help.
FPV "within regulation" is < 100m.
Get a HOVERAIRx1 and gut it. That's how the real world does it.
Hello,
You find endless wireless rs232 or TTL modules on aliexpress for example. 20mW should cover 500m LOS.
Sending and reciveing data from a mcu on the other hand, require a certain degree of electronic and programming skills, but that was not your main question.
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