Skydio Dock Connectivity

Published: Updated:

  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio Remote Operations
  3. Dock & Remote Ops Getting Started

Skydio Dock supports two different connection configurations to your vehicle:

Wi-Fi Network

CS_Dock_connectivity_WiFi_illo.png

How it works: Your vehicle will fly over your external network using credentials provided in the Network settings.

Skydio Link™ to Dock

CS_Dock_connectivity_SL_illo.png

How it works: Your vehicle will fly using the onboard connectivity on Dock, no external network required.

Ideal for:

  • Installations where flights are 100% covered by your wireless networks
  • Indoor environments with barriers that interrupt line of site from Dock to the vehicle

Ideal for:

  • Installations where flights take place outside of wireless and cellular coverage.

[note] Skydio Dock must be hard-wired to internet via Ethernet cable. Skydio Link to Dock™ is not available with Dock Lite. [/note]

 

Wi-Fi Network

[accordion heading="How it works"]

Both Dock and your drone connect to and communicate over an external Wi-Fi network.

CS_Dock_connectivity_WiFi_illo.png

  • Drone connects to an external network over Wi-Fi
  • Dock connects to an external network over Wi-Fi or via Ethernet

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Setup Steps"]

Step 1 - Set up your Wi-Fi network in Skydio Cloud

Step 2 - Navigate to Settings > Devices > Docks

Step 3 - Select the More Info (...) icon for the dock you are working with and select Change Settings

CS_Cloud_vehicle_settings.png

Step 4 - Select Vehicle Connectivity

CS_Dock_connectivity_WiFi_UI.png
Step 4 - Select WiFi Network

[/accordion]

 

Skydio Link™ to Dock

[accordion heading="How it works"]

Your vehicle will fly using the onboard connectivity in Dock, no external wireless network required.

CS_Dock_connectivity_SL_illo.png

  • Your vehicle acts as an access point that Dock connects to wirelessly, like the connection between a vehicle and a controller
  • The onboard Wi-Fi module in Dock will connect to the vehicle instead of your external network.
    • Dock can only connect to one Wi-Fi network—either the drone OR the internet. Since it is directly connecting to the drone in this instance, Ethernet is required for Dock to connect to the internet.

[note] Skydio Dock must be hard-wired to the internet via Ethernet cable to use Skydio Link. Skydio Link to Dock™ is not available with Dock Lite. [/note]

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Setup Steps"]

Step 1 - Connect Skydio Dock to the internet via Ethernet cable

  • The onboard Wi-Fi module on Dock will connect to the vehicle instead of your external network, so Ethernet is required for Dock to connect to Skydio Cloud

Cable_Plugged_In__Ethernet_.png

Step 2 - Log in to cloud.skydio.com and navigate to Settings > Devices > Docks

Step 3 - Select the More Info (...) icon for the dock you are working with and select Change Settings

CS_Cloud_vehicle_settings.png

Step 3 - Select Vehicle Connectivity

CS_Dock_connectivity_WiFi_UI.png
Step 4 - Skydio Link™ to Dock

Step 5 - Configure your channel settings:

CS_Dock_connectivity_SL_UI.png

  • Narrow Band - can provide additional wireless range, though video quality may slightly degrade. When enabled, the drone will switch to narrow band whenever applicable.
  • Channel Selection - select your radio frequency channel to avoid congestion from other signals. Auto (default) is recommended for best results.

 

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Skydio Link Specifications"]

Dock Radio Configuration Drone Radio Configuration Expected Range
Skydio Dock (Dual Band1) Skydio X2 (Dual Band*) ~2 km
Skydio Dock (5 GHz*) Skydio X2 (5 GHz) ~4 km

[/accordion]

 

 

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