Based on the provided technical documents, standards, and research reports, the transmission distance of Drone Remote ID is not a single fixed value but rather a variable range that depends primarily on the broadcast technology used, transmission power, environmental conditions, and regulatory requirements. Here is a detailed and comprehensive analysis.
1. Definition and Purpose of Remote ID
Remote ID functions as a “digital license plate” for drones, broadcasting critical information such as the drone’s unique identity (serial number), real-time location, altitude, velocity, and the location of its control station via radio frequency signals. The primary purpose is to enhance safety, security, and accountability in shared airspace by allowing authorities, other pilots, and the public to identify and track drones.
2. Governing Technical Standards and Minimum Range Requirements
Formal regulations and technical specifications often define a minimum performance requirement rather than a maximum guaranteed range.
A key technical specification states that the Remote ID signal “should preferably be able to be received from a distance of 300 meters or more in horizontal distance under ideal conditions.”
This requirement is linked to the Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP). For example, Bluetooth 5.x should have an EIRP of +5 dBm or more, while Wi-Fi Beacon/Aware should have +11 dBm or more to achieve this baseline.
It’s crucial to note that standards do not mandate a specific maximum range but set minimum transmission power levels, meaning actual range can be significantly greater under optimal conditions.
3. Transmission Technologies and Their Theoretical/Tested Ranges
The achievable distance varies drastically between the different wireless protocols used for broadcasting Remote ID signals.
| Technology Standard | Expected / Tested Range (Under Ideal Conditions) | Key Characteristics & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth 4 (Legacy Advertising) | ~250 meters | Shorter range, compatible with most consumer mobile devices. |
| Bluetooth 5.x (Standard) | ~300 meters | A common benchmark used in testing and regulations. |
| Bluetooth 5 Long Range (Coded PHY) | Up to 1 kilometer | Extended range mode of Bluetooth 5. but receiver compatibility is limited (e.g., not supported on iOS). |
| Wi-Fi NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) / Wi-Fi Beacon | Up to 2 kilometers | Offers longer broadcast range, suitable for more complex operations. Requires higher transmission power (e.g., 100 mW). |
| Specific Module Example (F7GB2) | 150 meters (unobstructed, no interference) | Illustrates real-world performance of a dedicated Bluetooth 5.3 Remote ID module. |
Additional Technical Context:
Frequencies: Remote ID broadcasts primarily use the 2.4 GHz ISM band (common for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi), with some systems also utilizing the 5.8 GHz band for Wi-Fi.
Data Broadcast Rate: Dynamic data (like position, velocity) is typically broadcast at least once per second, while static data (like drone ID) is sent at least once every three seconds to ensure real-time tracking.
4. Factors Significantly Affecting Real-World Range
The “ideal condition” ranges above are for open, unobstructed environments. In practice, range is highly variable due to:
Environment (Urban vs. Rural): A technical report estimates that practical reception range varies from approximately 3 Nautical Miles (5.5 km) in urban/suburban areas to 7 NM (13 km) in rural settings. Urban clutter (buildings) causes signal attenuation and multipath interference.
Line of Sight (LOS): A clear visual path between the drone and receiver is critical. Tests show that a receiver 100 meters away with LOS can sometimes receive fewer packets than a receiver 300 meters away with buildings in between, depending on antenna placement and reflections.
Drone Altitude: Higher altitude generally increases the effective broadcast range by reducing ground-level obstructions.
Radio Frequency Interference: The 2.4 GHz band is crowded (used by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, other devices), which can create a high-noise environment and reduce reliable reception distance.
Receiver Capability: The range is also determined by the receiver’s sensitivity. A dedicated ground station may receive signals from much farther away than a standard smartphone app.
5. Conclusion: A Variable and Context-Dependent Answer
To directly answer the question “How far does drone Remote ID transmit?”:
Regulatory Baseline: Under ideal, open-sky conditions, a properly equipped drone must be detectable from at least 300 meters away.
Typical Technology Limits: Using common consumer-grade protocols, the theoretical maximum range is between 1 km (for Bluetooth 5 Long Range) and 2 km (for Wi-Fi Beacon).
Practical Operational Range: In real-world scenarios, the effective range is situationally dependent. It can be as low as a few hundred meters in dense urban areas but may extend to several kilometers (5-13 km) in rural or open environments, especially if the drone is at altitude and received by professional equipment.
Core Design Principle: The system is engineered so that “when you can see the drone, you should receive the data,” effectively matching the visual line of sight (VLOS) principle common to drone operations.
Therefore, while the technology is capable of broadcasting over kilometer-scale distances, the assured and most consistent reception is designed for the immediate vicinity of the drone’s operation, ensuring accountability and safety for those in the surrounding airspace and on the ground.
