Using UAVs as relay nodes offers some advantages in terms of deployment speed, 3D adaptability and line-of-sight probability. Field tests using Doodle Labs radios deployed on the ground and on drones were designed to assess the viability of such relays. This measurement campaign allowed us to gather relevant data regarding the selection of the antennas to be used and showed promising results for great distance relaying. It also support the promising capabilities of the relay placement method developed from our algorithm described in paper found in the link below.

Link to paper