Elsight launches HeatSight to map cellular coverage by altitude for BVLOS drone flights
Elsight has launched HeatSight, a new tool that maps cellular signal strength by altitude to help drone operators plan safer flights.
The software is available to customers of the company’s AllSight management platform. HeatSight builds time-aggregated, altitude-based heatmaps across longitude, latitude, altitude and time. That gives operators a clearer picture of where coverage is strong and where it weakens as aircraft move through different flight corridors. For beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS, operations, where continuous data links are critical, that visibility can reduce the risk of flying into poor-connectivity areas.
HeatSight uses data gathered through Elsight’s Halo BVLOS connectivity technology during live flights. The system records multiple radio-frequency parameters across different cellular networks, flight altitudes and times of day, then uploads that information to the AllSight cloud platform for aggregation over time. The result is a coverage map that evolves with real-world operations rather than relying on static assumptions. Elsight said the tool can also highlight periods of congestion or coverage degradation under specific operating conditions, allowing operators to shift routes or schedules to maintain more reliable links.
The launch also targets a growing regulatory and commercial need. Detailed historical coverage data could help operators demonstrate that planned routes remain well connected, a key issue as BVLOS missions expand in inspection, delivery and public safety work. Over time, the same data could create new opportunities for mobile network operators to better support drone traffic. If adopted broadly, HeatSight could strengthen the case for routine BVLOS operations by giving operators and regulators a clearer view of connectivity risk before takeoff.