Want to know the difference between drone tracking and tracking drones? Want to know if a drone is tracking and monitoring me and how I can track and locate illegal drones? Here, we will explain the key points to you.
To be clear, drone tracking and tracking drones refer to two different concepts, which involve different drone operating functions and uses.
Drone Tracking
Drone tracking refers to a function that drones have to automatically follow a target. This function allows drones to automatically follow a specific target (such as a person, vehicle or animal) and keep a certain distance without human operation according to preset instructions or visual tracking technology. This function is often used in the following scenarios:
Sports video shooting: During outdoor activities or sports, drones can automatically follow people or objects in motion to shoot smooth tracking shots. Many consumer drones (such as DJI's Mavic series) have this function.
Outdoor adventure: Drones can automatically follow users without manual control, suitable for hiking, cycling, skiing and other scenarios.
Security monitoring: Drone tracking function is also often used for security patrols, which can continuously track designated targets, especially suitable for border patrols or security work for major events.
Drone Tracking Technology
The tracking function of drones is generally achieved through visual recognition and GPS technology:
- Visual Tracking: Using computer vision technology, drones identify and track the shape, color, movement trajectory, etc. of the target.
- GPS Tracking: Drones use the location signal of the target device (such as a person wearing GPS) to track and maintain synchronous flight.
Different drone manufacturers have different names for this function, such as DJI's Active Track and Autel drones' Dynamic Track. Mid-to-high-end consumer drones are usually only suitable for tracking people, such as Autel EVO Nano+, and more advanced drones can track moving objects such as people, cars, and ships, such as Autel EVO II PRO V3.
Tracking Drones
Drone Surveillance or Tracking of Drones refers to the tracking and monitoring of the drone itself. This concept is often used in regulatory and security scenarios, especially in drone traffic control and illegal flight monitoring to ensure flight safety and compliance. This technology can detect, track and monitor the flight position and behavior of drones, and can intervene or restrict them when necessary.
Application scenarios
Airspace management: Sensitive areas such as airports and military bases often use drone tracking systems to detect and monitor aircraft to prevent illegal drones from entering restricted airspace.
Law enforcement supervision: Law enforcement agencies can track drone activities to combat illegal flights, or conduct environmental monitoring and border security inspections.
Anti-drone technology: Some air defense equipment can identify and track drones to ensure the safety of specific places, and can even force drones that do not comply with flight regulations to land by interfering with signals.
Anti-drone tracking technology
Tracking drones usually uses a variety of technologies to ensure accurate monitoring:
- Radar detection: Track the flight trajectory of drones through radar signals.
- Wireless signal monitoring: Monitor wireless communications between drones and their controllers.
- Visual recognition system: Use high-performance cameras for real-time monitoring, especially tracking drones within line of sight.
- GPS tracking system: GPS signals on drones can be used to locate and obtain flight information.
The best way to track drones is to track the drone's Drone ID signal and Remote ID signal, which is unique. The FAA is also actively promoting the necessary requirement for drones to be equipped with Remote ID.
Can the FAA track my drone?
The FAA requires drones in the US to be equipped with Remote ID, which can be thought of as a digital license plate for drones. It broadcasts information such as location, altitude, and your registration number to nearby authorities and other airspace users. So technically, the FAA can know when your drone is in the air.
Can my phone detect a drone?
There are some mobile apps that support scanning and detecting drones, which also track all nearby flights through the direct/broadcast Remote ID standard. Users can browse real-time data about drones on a detailed map, highlighting specific areas of flight space.
Can drones be tracked?
Tracking drones is actually tracking drone radio signals. Drone radio signal bands are usually 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz, and anti-drone detection equipment can detect up to 400Mhz-6Ghz, such as the Skyfend Hunter drone jammer.
Tracking a drone's Remote ID signal or Drone ID signal will obtain more information about the drone and locate the drone pilot, such as the Skyfend Trace P.
Can drones track drones?
Drones cannot track drones directly.
In anti-drone equipment, tracking drones requires obtaining the drone's Remote ID or Drone ID signal to track the drone.
When using a drone to track a drone, the drone pilot must ensure that the drone is within the line of sight and the drone's camera can always directly capture the drone.
Tracking a drone with a drone is more troublesome than direct positioning with anti-drone equipment.
Summary
Drone tracking refers to the automatic following target function of a drone, which is often used for filming and patrolling.
Tracking a drone refers to the tracking and monitoring of the drone itself, which is usually used for airspace safety and law enforcement supervision.
The concepts of the two are different, but both involve the application of drone technology. The former mainly provides convenience for users, while the latter provides security and supervision.
