ADS-B For Small Drones?

Putting ADS-B aboard small drones is not only possible, its already out there in limited volume. Sagetech Corp., which makes the Clarity and Clarity SV ADS-B portable receivers, has a line of micro transponders and ADS-B equipment. And we do mean micro. These devices are the size of a business card and about 0.7-inch thick. They weigh 100 grams, less antenna. Thats about the weight of a GoPro camera.

Editorial Staff

Friday, March 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Compact ADS-B transponders for small drones, like Sagetech's micro devices, are already available and capable of full power output.
While these transponders are lightweight, their power consumption can significantly impact the endurance of very small drones (5 lbs and under).
Further miniaturization faces challenges related to heat dissipation and economic feasibility for specialized, low-volume production.

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Putting ADS-B aboard small drones is not only possible, it’s already out there in limited volume. Sagetech Corp., which makes the Clarity and Clarity SV ADS-B portable receivers, has a line of micro transponders and ADS-B equipment. And we do mean micro. These devices are the size of a business card and about 0.7-inch thick. They weigh 100 grams, less antenna. That’s about the weight of a GoPro camera.