Hello,

I am curious about technical capabilities - as I understand the Mavic Air uses WiFi technology - how is that possible then to achieve 4km range?

Someone please enlighten me.

Good question, especially since the Spark also uses wifi and has a lower range

With my directional wifi 'extender' I get about 12 k. los.

I’m positive that the air gets no where near 4 km just like the mavic gets no where near 7km, unless you live on a high bluff overlooking the ocean with no trees, wi-if signals or clouds in the sky?

“Enhanced WiFi” not  too clear on what that is yet but the WiFi connection is only from your mobile device to the remote which operates at the standard 2.4/5.8 GHz, not the aircraft. If you are using your mobile device only your range is only going to be 80 to 100 meters. The antennas built into the leg extensions of the aircraft are further away from the main body of the AC which supposedly allows for a longer and more reliable signal up to 4K when using the remote/mobile device combo

Does anyone know if Australia will get the 4km or are we like Europe and get the CE half range crap?

Perhaps it uses the new 802.11af standards.  That Wifi transmission takes place on UHF waves and has a range of miles.

You will find the link between the controller and your phone and the aircraft are separate and the aircraft will use a different communication protocol, albeit on the back of the wifi connection. The controller is probably more sensitive and can broadcast further than your phone can. It has two antennas suggesting one is transmit and the other receive. The range they claim of 4km is probably true, in an FCC area simply because the broadcast strength is higher from the controller and the aircraft. In a EC area the broadcast strength is toned down depending on frequency. 2.4ghz will be about 2km and 5ghz 500m.
Personally I don't see these limits on flight distance a big issue. I'm more concerned about stability of the connection.

Kevin79 Posted at 2018-1-25 05:06
“Enhanced WiFi” not  too clear on what that is yet but the WiFi connection is only from your mobile device to the remote which operates at the standard 2.4/5.8 GHz, not the aircraft. If you are using your mobile device only your range is only going to be 80 to 100 meters. The antennas built into the leg extensions of the aircraft are further away from the main body of the AC which supposedly allows for a longer and more reliable signal up to 4K when using the remote/mobile device combo

On the Mavic Air, the connection between the remote and the phone is done with a cable. So the wifi is used between aircraft and remote

Foxeuphoria Posted at 2018-1-25 08:04
Perhaps it uses the new 802.11af standards.  That Wifi transmission takes place on UHF waves and has a range of miles.

Hmmm... I wonder? That would be good news.

Chuck1026 Posted at 2018-1-25 08:59
Hmmm... I wonder? That would be good news.

Well, most racers looking for long range are using crossfire and other UHF based systems to allow for greater distances.  It would not be surprising to see similar movement from DJI

That possible has to do with the directional antennas install at the Mavic Air legs.

mavic pro

Operating Frequency
FCC: 2.4-2.4835GHz; 5.150-5.250 GHz; 5.725-5.850 GHz
CE: 2.4-2.4835GHz; 5.725-5.850 GHz
SRRC：2.4-2.4835 GHz;5.725-5.850 GHz

Transmitter Power (EIRP)
FCC：<=26 dBm
CE：<=20 dBm
SRRC: <=20 dBm
MIC: <=18 dBm

Mavic Air

Operating Frequency
2.400 - 2.4835 GHz
5.725 - 5.850 GHz

Transmission Power (EIRP)        2.400 - 2.4835 GHz:
FCC：≤26 dBm
CE: ≤18 dBm
SRRC: ≤18 dBm
MIC:≤18 dBm

5.725 - 5.850 GHz:
FCC: ≤30 dBm
CE: ≤14 dBm
SRRC: ≤26 dBm

~~~~~~~~

they all use 'wifi' doesn't matter what they call it on their propaganda sheets lol.  not sure why the ranges differ so much, the air even has more power on 5ghz band

AIister Posted at 2018-1-25 21:20
mavic pro

Operating Frequency

Exactly. I think Occusync just means it has a more powerful output.  Probably close to 1 watt.

Hi Yuumee, Mavic air uses the enhanced WiFi video transmission system, it can reach to 4000m in FCC mode when the environment is available. Please refer to the specs below.

Its omnidirectional antennas placed on the foldable landing gear help increase signal coverage to deliver a maximum range of up to 2.5 miles (4km)   with 720p real-time video transmission when flying with the remote controller.

That appears to be the most logical explanation from DJI as to why the range is greater than the Spark though 4KM in FCC and 2KM in CE areas are yet to be seen... And I hope that the small mAh in the battery has enough juice to sustain a safe return on a five mile round flight in modetate winds as using Sport mode to reach 42.5MPH will massively drain that battery and knock the max 21 minutes (16-18 in reality in normal flight) to less than 15 minutes quite easily. My biggest concern flying a WiFi only drone one or two miles away (other than losing VLOS) will be how sensitive the signal is to transmission interference - not sure what the speed is in p-mode and if the drone has dual compass redundancy to help prevent the potential of a fly away. Once more, this drone does not seem to be designed for long distance flying, as is the case with the Spark using the same enhanced WiFi transmission.

Mharro88 Posted at 2018-1-25 07:32
Does anyone know if Australia will get the 4km or are we like Europe and get the CE half range crap?

Of course 'we' will get the tuned down transmission....
CE rules.
DJI can't help it.

DJI Thor Posted at 2018-1-26 01:56
Hi Yuumee, Mavic air uses the enhanced WiFi video transmission system, it can reach to 4000m in FCC mode when the environment is available. Please refer to the specs below.[view_image]

Thanks for the clarification.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-1-26 02:19
Of course 'we' will get the tuned down transmission....
CE rules.
DJI can't help it.

Is this power output adjusted from FCC to CE based on the gps location of the acft?

BigBlueTsunami Posted at 2018-1-26 02:45
Is this power output adjusted from FCC to CE based on the gps location of the acft?

Yes, it switches between CE and FCC modes based on location.

BigBlueTsunami Posted at 2018-1-26 02:45
Is this power output adjusted from FCC to CE based on the gps location of the acft?

Yes indeed. That is how it works.

WOW. That's just, wow.

Jeff

Just like the spark you can make your own go app with the option " force to FCC"

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 07:51
Just like the spark you can make your own go app with the option " force to FCC"

How can you do that ?
And so my drone bought in Europe, but that I fly in USA automatically switches to FCC ?

Vincent. Posted at 2018-1-26 07:55
How can you do that ?
And so my drone bought in Europe, but that I fly in USA automatically switches to FCC ?

you have PM
and yes it's switch to FCC when you are in your country.

Only in 5.725 - 5.850 GHz mode and FCC: 4000 m (unobstructed, free of interference) that means no air resistance, wind basically in a space.

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 08:03
you have PM
and yes it's switch to FCC when you are in your country.

Any chance you could PM me this too?

done rg1825

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 08:17
done rg1825

Thanks a lot!

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 08:03
you have PM
and yes it's switch to FCC when you are in your country.

Would appreciate your info on this

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 07:51
Just like the spark you can make your own go app with the option " force to FCC"

Can you let me in on it too?

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 08:03
you have PM
and yes it's switch to FCC when you are in your country.

Please sent me a PM for switching to FCC.

Thanks

Klaush Posted at 2018-1-26 10:27
Please sent me a PM for switching to FCC.

Thanks

Remember you sacrifice your warranty, also their have been flyaways in spark using this hacked app . I’m also 100% certain it voids any Care refresh warranty.

There a more flyaways with the normal app then a hacked app, read the spark forum

Jos A Posted at 2018-1-26 11:09
There a more flyaways with the normal app then a hacked app, read the spark forum

Hey don’t be so ridiculous, of course there is simply because there are 95% more people using normal app.
But one advantage they have is if Aircraft malfunctions they have a warranty if they had Care refresh and they recover their drone they are covered, unlike anyone who decides to hack the app.

R&L Aerial  Posted at 2018-1-25 04:54
I’m positive that the air gets no where near 4 km just like the mavic gets no where near 7km, unless you live on a high bluff overlooking the ocean with no trees, wi-if signals or clouds in the sky?

Really, because my mavic gets 4k and can go a lot further if I want to

fans4ee4a121 Posted at 2018-1-26 13:34
Really, because my mavic gets 4k and can go a lot further if I want to

Read what I said again....

This might help explain why.

The range would probably be around 1.5 KM in real world conditions

I would like to get that pm also