MAVLink

MAVLink stands for Micro Air Vehicle Link and is a lightweight, binary communication protocol used in unmanned aerial systems to exchange information between aircraft onboard computers, ground control stations, and companion devices. It provides a standardized way to transmit telemetry, commands, parameter updates, and mission data.

Originally developed in the late 2000s for the PX4 project, MAVLink is now maintained by the broader MAVLink community and is widely adopted by major autopilot platforms such as ArduPilot and PX4. The protocol is designed to be efficient over low-bandwidth links and supports multiple transport mechanisms, including serial links, UDP, and TCP, making it suitable for onboard and ground-side communication.

MAVLink comprises a catalog of predefined messages that encode various data and actions. Messages are sent as compact packets that include a header, a payload, and a checksum to ensure integrity. There are two main versions in common use: MAVLink 1 and MAVLink 2. MAVLink 2 adds extensibility, improved framing, and an optional cryptographic signature to provide message authentication, though it does not by itself provide encryption.

Typical uses include sending heartbeat signals, attitude and position data, battery status, and GPS information; issuing commands and mission items; and updating parameters. Among the popular tools and libraries are pymavlink and the standard MAVLink C library, which enable integration with ground control software such as QGroundControl, Mission Planner, and various autopilots and companion software.

MAVLink is widely regarded as a foundational protocol in the drone and underwater ROV communities, balancing simplicity, efficiency, and interoperability. Security considerations center on the optional MAVLink 2 signature and the lack of default encryption.