System Overview | Vehicle-Based UAV System
Integrated Platform for Reconnaissance, Communications and Elevated Situational Awareness
TELEVATOR is designed as a vehicle-based UAV mission system. The focus is not only on the aircraft itself, but on the coordinated interaction of carrier platform, ground control station, tether connection, power supply, data transmission and mission-specific payload.
The integrated platform enables UAV operation from an elevated position. This allows the system to be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, security checks, communications tasks and elevated situational awareness.
Integration on suitable vehicle platforms creates a deployable situational awareness system that can be positioned quickly and adapted to changing operational areas. Compared with purely battery-powered standalone platforms, the tether connection provides advantages in endurance, power supply and data connectivity.
Vehicle Integration | Mobile Launch and Landing Platform
Launch, Operate and Land from a Mobile Platform
TELEVATOR is designed to enable UAV operation directly from a suitable mobile platform. The system can be integrated on compatible vehicles, trailers or comparable carrier surfaces, supporting reconnaissance, surveillance and communications from the mobile operational environment.
Vehicle-based integration supports rapid relocation, flexible positioning and operation in dynamic mission scenarios. The UAV can launch from the mobile platform, operate during the mission and land again on the designated platform after use.
This makes TELEVATOR suitable for mission scenarios in which mobility, extended operation and a stable elevated observation or communications point need to be combined.
Tether & Data Link | Power Supply and Secure Transmission
Tethered Supply for Extended Mission Endurance
The tether connection is a central element of TELEVATOR. It supplies the UAV with power via cable and can also provide a stable data connection between the air vehicle, tether ground unit and ground control station.
Compared with purely battery-powered UAV systems, tethered operation enables longer mission endurance and controlled operation from a defined position. This is particularly relevant for tasks that require continuous observation, communications support or persistent situational awareness.
Depending on system configuration, the tether connection can provide power supply, data communication or both. This allows TELEVATOR to be adapted to the mission profile, security requirements and communications architecture.
Technical Capabilities | Tether, Power & Data
Up to 100 Metres Tether Height for Power, Data and Communications
TELEVATOR is designed for tethered UAV operation with tether height or tether cable length of up to approximately 100 metres. This allows the UAV to be used as an elevated platform for reconnaissance, communications, relay applications and temporary network extension.
Depending on configuration, data and communications can be routed directly through the tether cable. Possible variants include fibre-optic connections for very high theoretical data rates up to the gigabit range as well as twisted-pair solutions for robust network connections with reduced but practical bandwidth.
In addition, the tether system can transmit power with an electrical output of approximately 2.4 to 2.5 kW. This makes TELEVATOR suitable for mission profiles where a purely battery-based solution is not sufficient in terms of endurance, power supply or communications stability.
Operating Modes | Cable, Radio and Redundancy
Flexible Operating Modes for Control, Power Supply and Data Link
TELEVATOR can be configured in flexible operating modes depending on the mission profile. Power supply, control, mission data and payload data can be routed via the tether cable, a radio data link or a combined radio/cable architecture.
Possible operating modes include power supply via the tether cable with separate radio control, a cable-based data and control connection via the tether ground unit or redundant configurations with an additional radio module in the UAV.
This allows the system to be adapted to different security requirements and mission profiles. In certain configurations, operation is also possible without a primary radio link because control, mission data and network access can be routed via the tether ground unit and the cable-based connection.
Remote Operation | Fibre-Optic and Network Connection
Operate TELEVATOR from a Remote Control Position
TELEVATOR does not have to be operated directly at the vehicle or platform. Depending on the mission concept, the platform can be deployed at a remote position and connected to a separate control position via a suitable fibre-optic or network connection.
In this configuration, the platform is positioned at a suitable location with its own power supply and tether ground unit. The connection to the control station can be established via a cable-based network link, for example using fibre-optic lines over correspondingly long distances.
This connection can transmit control data, mission data, payload data and video streams between the control station, tether ground unit and UAV. This allows the UAV to be launched, operated and monitored without the operating crew standing directly next to the platform.
The remote operating architecture is suitable for mission scenarios in which the platform needs to be positioned tactically, concealed or closer to the relevant operational area, while operation is carried out from a protected or spatially separated control position.
Operational Safety | Buffer Battery and Precision Landing
Controlled Operation Even with Changing Power Supply Conditions
For controlled operation even under changing power supply conditions, TELEVATOR can be equipped with a buffer battery. It stabilises the onboard voltage, reduces load on the Tether Vehicle Module and supports controlled continued operation in the event of short-term disturbances in the external power supply.
In the event of a failure or changeover of the ground-side power supply, the buffer battery can provide sufficient energy to stabilise the UAV and initiate a safe return or landing. This increases operational safety, especially in dynamic mission scenarios and under changing supply conditions.
For launch and landing on the mobile platform, the system can be extended with UWB-based precision landing. Positioning modules in the UAV and platform support precise return to the designated landing position.
Communications | Relay, Router and Network Extension
Elevated Platform for Tactical Communications Tasks
TELEVATOR can be used not only for reconnaissance and surveillance, but also as an elevated platform for tactical communications tasks. By positioning the UAV above vehicle or ground level, radio and data links can be improved, extended or temporarily provided.
Depending on the configuration, the system can be used as a relay, router, repeater or temporary communications node for network extension. This makes TELEVATOR suitable for operational areas where existing communications infrastructure is limited, obstructed or unavailable.
The combination of mobile platform, tether connection and elevated antenna position supports robust communications structures for mobile command posts, security forces, technical response teams or defence-related applications.
Reconnaissance & Sensors | Mobile Situational Awareness from an Elevated Position
Continuous Observation for Operational Areas, Infrastructure and Security Zones
TELEVATOR enables mobile situational awareness from an elevated position. The UAV can be operated above the mobile platform and continuously observe operational areas, access routes, terrain sections, infrastructure or temporary security zones.
Depending on the payload configuration, the system can be used for surveillance, close-range reconnaissance, security checks or technical observation tasks. Possible payloads include optical sensors, thermal imaging solutions, communications modules or other mission-specific components.
The combination of vehicle-based platform, tether connection and elevated sensor position makes TELEVATOR suitable for scenarios in which a stable observation point is required over an extended period.
System Integration | Platform, UAV and Ground Control
Configurable as an Integrated Mission System
TELEVATOR is configurable as an integrated mission system. Carrier platform, UAV, tether connection, power supply, data connection, ground control station and payload are not considered in isolation, but are matched to the specific mission use case.
The system architecture can be adapted to different vehicle platforms, mission profiles and integration requirements. This includes mechanical integration, power and data routing, operating concept, payload configuration and connection to suitable command, situational awareness or communications systems.
Vectorbirds supports technical evaluation, system configuration and integration – from platform design and communications architecture through to mission-specific adaptation of operating and mission logic.
Differentiation | TELEVATOR and TETHER
Mobile Platform Solution Instead of a Pure Tether Operating Mode
TELEVATOR is more than a pure tether operating mode: the system is designed as a mobile platform solution for cable-based UAV operations. UAV, tether system, tether ground unit and launch and landing platform are provided as an integrated solution.
A pure TETHER configuration can also be set up on the ground, for example on a suitable surface in the field. In this case, the UAV launches and lands at the respective deployment location.
The advantage of TELEVATOR lies in its vehicle- or platform-based integration. The system can be deployed ready for operation on a suitable carrier surface, for example on a vehicle, trailer or comparable platform. After approval by the operator, the UAV can launch automatically and land again on the platform after the mission.
This makes TELEVATOR the integrated mobile system solution, while TETHER stands for cable-based power and/or data connectivity as a technical operating option.
Project Request | TELEVATOR
Assess TELEVATOR for your use case
Whether TELEVATOR is suitable for a specific use case depends on vehicle platform, payload, power demand, communications requirements, mission endurance and operating environment. As part of the project request, Vectorbirds assesses which mobile platform solution is technically and operationally appropriate.
Vectorbirds supports technical assessment, system configuration and integration – from mobile UAV operation and tether connection through to integration into existing command, situational awareness or communications structures.