Wi-Fi Channels
Choosing an adequate channel (Wi-Fi frequency interval) is critical to ensure smooth flights.
If you have trouble choosing which Wi-Fi channel(s) to use, ask the Support team.
Choice criteria
To be able to make the best choice, scanning the radio environment is recommended. Please refer to Scanning the radio environment for more information.
To choose the best channel, make sure to:
- Choose a channel with a low usage
- Choose a channel with an interference level as low as possible
- Never choose a DFS channel
- Prioritize the channels in the [36;48] range, especially when using Zephyrs
- When using Zephyrs, do not use the channel 165
- Prioritize the channels with the lowest frequency since their range is slightly better
- Please be aware of the country legislation when selecting a channel, especially when flying outdoors, as some channels usage may be forbidden.
5GHz Band
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|
| 36 | 5180 |
| 40 | 5200 |
| 44 | 5220 |
| 48 | 5240 |
| [52;144] (DFS) | [5260;5720] |
| 149 | 5745 |
| 153 | 5765 |
| 157 | 5785 |
| 161 | 5805 |
| 165 | 5825 |
Complementary information
Channel usage and interferences
Because Wi-Fi is a radio technology, the usage of the selected band is the most important factor to take into account. If the selected band is already massively used or if interferences are present, the communication in-between the drones and the DCC may suffer greatly.
DFS channels
If the antenna is assigned a DFS channel, according to regulation, Channel Availability Check is required, during which the 5GHz signal is unavailable for connection. The Channel Availability Check process would take 1-10 minutes depending on the country. For this reason, DFS channels are not immediately available when the antenna boots.
Moreover, if the antenna detect a radar using the same channel, then it may be communicated to the connected Wi-Fi clients to stop the transmission and change to another available channel. This behavior will cause connected Wi-Fi clients to be disconnected from the network for a period of time before re-connecting to a different channel.
For these reasons, choosing a DFS channel is strictly prohibited.
Why some channels are preferred or prohibited
The channels in the range [36;48] shall be selected whether possible. These channels are the most reliable and have great support by all the drones that we use.
The use of the 165th channel is prohibited for Zephyrs as the Wi-Fi chip onboard isn't compatible.
Radio waves range effectively increases as the frequency gets lower. That's why, when given the choice, one should always prioritize the lowest channel possible.