MODULE 01
Architecture & Comms
Architecture & Comms
Understanding the hardware and signals that keep drones in the air is the first step toward securing them.
Ground Control Station
Flight Controller (FC)
The "brain" of the drone. It contains the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), gyroscopes, and processes pilot inputs to control motor speed.
The interface used by the pilot. Can be a physical remote, a laptop (Mission Planner), or a tablet. This is the entry point for most commands.
The most common protocol for drone-to-GCS communication. It packs data into efficient binary messages.
Physical radio layers. 900MHz is often used for long-range telemetry, while 2.4GHz is standard for control.
An attacker quietly listens to the video feed or telemetry stream. This reveals the drone's location and the pilot's location ("Home Point").
Injecting fake commands into an unauthenticated link. This can force a drone to land (RTL) or change course.
Security testing must always be performed within legal boundaries. Tampering with RF signals can violate FCC/Aviation Authority regulations. This course focuses on system hardening, not offensive jamming.
Complete all 3 modules and the final assessment to receive the UAV Defense Specialist Certificate.