Defender Help Center
A friendly, searchable knowledge base for the drone-powered Defender property monitoring platform. This page mirrors the structure of a help center like https://help.dronetag.com/ and is optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing.
Featured Articles / Quick Links
- Add Your First Property and Drone (Getting Started)
- Draw Property Boundaries and Features
- Connect External Cameras (Ring, Nest, etc.)
- Start a Mission from a Scheduled Plan
- Monitor Edge Device Health in Real Time
Help Center Hierarchy
- Getting Started
- Create Your Defender Platform Account
- Add Your First Property and Drone
- Invite Teammates & Define Roles
- Set Up Emergency Contacts & Notifications
- Property Mapping
- Drawing Property Boundaries
- Adding Property Features (gates, buildings, landing zones)
- Defining Safe Flight Corridors
- Recommended Plans Based on Property
- Drone Operations
- Adding & Configuring Drones
- Flight Basics (pre-flight checks, takeoff/landing)
- Battery Management & Coverage
- Autonomous Patrol Scheduling
- Edge Device Setup
- Installing Device
- Connecting Sensors & Cameras
- Monitoring Health & Connectivity
- Firmware Updates & Rollbacks
- 3rd-Party Integrations
- Connecting Ring Camera
- Connecting Nest & Other Smart Sensors
- Testing Integrations
- Managing Webhooks & Automation Rules
- Recommendations & Plans
- Choosing the Right Plan for Your Property
- Add-On Services & Upgrades
- Seasonal Coverage Recommendations
- Scaling from Single Site to Fleet Monitoring
- Billing & Account
- Managing Subscription
- Updating Payment Information
- Account Cancellation
- Downloading Invoices
- Troubleshooting
- Drone Not Responding
- Edge Device Offline
- 3rd-Party Device Failures
- Flight Log Errors
- FAQs
- Common Q&A about drones, coverage, no-fly zones, backup landing sites
Article Outlines
Getting Started
Create Your Defender Platform Account
- Go to the onboarding portal and click Create Account.
- Enter your work email, organization name, and secure password (12+ characters, mix of letters and numbers).
- Verify your email and complete identity confirmation (2FA-enabled by default).
- Review the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permissions for location/microphone if prompted on mobile.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use a corporate email to keep billing, alerts, and API keys centralized.
- Note: Until a payment method is attached, features stay in sandbox mode.
- Warning: Sharing credentials violates policy; use role-based access instead.
Screenshot / Diagram Placeholder
- Dashboard onboarding modal highlighting the “Create Account” button.
Related Articles
Add Your First Property and Drone
- In the platform, visit Properties > Add Property and input address or GPS coordinates.
- Drop a pin on the map to auto-generate a property outline and name it (e.g., “North Ridge Estate”).
- Attach your first drone by serial number, choose default payload (RGB/thermal), and assign to that property.
- Link the drone to a flight controller base station and perform the wireless handshake test.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Upload a site survey or GeoJSON to speed up polygon accuracy.
- Warning: Do not start missions until the drone passes compass and IMU calibration.
- Note: This article also works for fleet onboarding by repeating steps for each property.
Screenshot
- Property creation form with drone pairing and mission status indicators.
Related
Invite Teammates & Define Roles
- Navigate to Account > Team and click Invite Member.
- Enter the teammate’s name, email, and choose a role (Owner, Pilot, Analyst, Viewer).
- Assign property access and mission permissions; use tags for department (security, facilities).
- Send the invite and remind them to complete 2FA during first sign-in.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Create a “Pilots” group that only receives flight mission alerts.
- Warning: Restrict billing access to Owner role to prevent accidental changes.
- Note: Audit team memberships quarterly.
Screenshot
- Team invitation modal showing role dropdown.
Related
Set Up Emergency Contacts & Notifications
- Go to Account > Notifications and add contacts (email/mobile) for alerts.
- Choose which events trigger each contact: mission aborts, edge disconnects, sensor faults.
- Enable SMS for urgent safety alerts and voice calls for after-hours response.
- Test notification routing with the “Send Test Alert” button.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use distribution lists or Slack channels to avoid alert fatigue.
- Warning: Only verified contacts receive emergency calls due to safety compliance.
Screenshot
- Notification routing matrix with contact toggles.
Related
Property Mapping
Drawing Property Boundaries
- Open Property Map Editor and select Draw Boundary.
- Click to place vertices along fences, road edges, or survey markers; the editor snaps to high-resolution imagery.
- Drag points to refine corners and validate area (acres/hectares) shown in the info card.
- Save the perimeter, label it (e.g., “Main Campus Zone”), and assign it to patrol missions.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Zoom to 4x+ magnification near corners for precision.
- Warning: Do not overlap neighbor parcels; consult legal boundaries when unsure.
- Note: The editor saves as GeoJSON so you can import/export to GIS platforms.
Screenshot
- Map editor with polygon highlighted and measurement overlay.
Related
Adding Property Features (gates, buildings, landing zones)
- Switch to the Features tab inside the map editor.
- Choose a feature type (Gate, Building, Landing Zone, Sensitive Area) and place the icon on the map.
- Enter metadata such as height, access hours, asset IDs, and preferred approach directions.
- Link features to automation rules (e.g., limit flight height near windows) and save.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Tag landing zones with ground surface (gravel, concrete) so autopilot adjusts touchdown profiles.
- Note: Use the “Smart Auto-Label” toggle to reapply names when underlying imagery updates.
Diagram Placeholder
- Feature icons overlay showing a gate, building, and landing zone on a property.
Related
Defining Safe Flight Corridors
- Select Flight Corridors and draw a corridor polygon connecting start and end points.
- Set altitude limits, speed caps, and approved payloads per corridor (e.g., thermal-only at night).
- Assign corridors to missions or static patrol loops; add required permissions.
- Publish corridor to pilots and lock edits during active missions to avoid mid-flight changes.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use corridors to route around sensitive assets (driveways, wildlife areas).
- Warning: Do not fly inside corridors until clearance tests pass.
- Note: Corridors are stored with buffer zones to prevent GPS drift issues.
Screenshot
- Corridor overlay showing altitude/speed profile.
Related
Recommended Plans Based on Property
- Open Recommendations > Plan Advisor and select a property.
- Review automated sizing based on acreage, ruggedness, edge device count, and IoT sensors.
- Compare plan tiers (e.g., Sentinel, Guardian, Fleet) with coverage hours and drone counts.
- Add extras (thermal patrol, analytics, rapid-response) and schedule a trial or commit.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Large properties (>15 acres) often need dual drone pairing plus sensor coverage.
- Warning: Select a plan that matches required mission frequency; under-provisioning causes coverage gaps.
Screenshot
- Plan comparison matrix with recommended badges.
Related
Drone Operations
Adding & Configuring Drones
- Visit Fleet > Add Drone and enter the drone serial, type, and firmware version.
- Assign payloads (RGB, thermal, LiDAR) and map them to mission templates.
- Choose home base coordinates and set default return-to-home altitude.
- Validate connectivity by powering the drone near the base station and confirming data handshake.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Save payload presets to reuse across similar drones.
- Warning: Do not add drones with outdated firmware¸ update before enrollment.
Screenshot
- Fleet modal showing payload assignment and home base map.
Related
Flight Basics (pre-flight checks, takeoff/landing)
- Complete the digital pre-flight checklist (battery, compass, weather, NOTAMs).
- Choose mission type (perimeter patrol, point of interest, ad-hoc inspection) and load the mission in the tablet.
- Arm the drone by confirming weight/payload details; monitor GPS lock and signal strength.
- Execute takeoff; confirm altitude and speed thresholds, then monitor telemetry for anomalies.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Warning: Always confirm local no-fly zones; autopilot will automatically abort if you enter restricted airspace.
- Tip: Record takeoff photos for compliance and backup landing zone verification.
- Safety Note: If the drone loses signal, the “Return to Launch” failsafe engages automatically.
Diagram
- Flight status dashboard showing telemetry and mission overlay.
Related
Battery Management & Coverage
- Track cycles via Fleet > Batteries dashboard and note capacity/family type.
- Create alert rules (e.g., <20% remaining) so missions pause before hitting cutoff.
- Schedule charging/discharging slots, rotating batteries across drones to prevent uneven wear.
- Review coverage heatmaps to confirm each mission maintains altitude and range.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Store batteries at 50% charge in climate-controlled areas when not in use.
- Warning: Do not charge damaged batteries; retire them with a log entry.
Screenshot
- Battery lifecycle table with charge status and coverage heatmap.
Related
Autonomous Patrol Scheduling
- Open Missions > Schedule and select property and corridor.
- Choose frequency (daily, weekly, triggered) and preferred windows (dawn/dusk for thermal).
- Set edge device handoff rules (drone to ground-to-air data exchange) and autop-run approvals.
- Publish schedule and confirm pilot notifications; adjust using the drag-and-drop timeline.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use calendar sync to avoid conflicts with crew shifts.
- Warning: Lock missions during weather alerts to avoid unauthorized flights.
Screenshot
- Patrol schedule calendar view with mission blocks.
Related
Edge Device Setup
Installing Device
- Mount the edge appliance near the base station with vibration-damping brackets.
- Connect PoE or DC power, ethernet, and optional cellular modem (LTE failsafe).
- Register the serial in Edge > Devices and assign it to the property.
- Run the initial diagnostics and confirm time sync with the cloud.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Install in a ventilated enclosure to avoid overheating.
- Warning: Use surge suppression to protect against lightning.
Diagram
- Rack layout showing power, ethernet, cellular connections.
Related
Connecting Sensors & Cameras
- In Edge > Connections, pick sensor type (motion, door contact, thermal camera).
- Connect via PoE, analog I/O, or MQTT depending on hardware.
- Assign each sensor to a property asset and configure sampling rate.
- Validate events via the edge console and route to alerts.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Rename sensors so they match physical labels (e.g., “North Gate Radar”).
- Note: MQTT sensors need TLS certificates uploaded.
Screenshot
- Edge console showing sensor list and live data stream.
Related
Monitoring Health & Connectivity
- Navigate to Edge > Health and examine uptime, CPU, memory, and disk metrics.
- Set alerts for temperatures >70°C, dropped packets, or >5 minutes offline.
- Use the graph to spot memory leaks (steady ramp) and rerun diagnostics.
- Escalate to remote reboot or schedule an onsite check if metrics stay critical.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Enable webhooks so your NOC receives the same alert as command center.
- Note: Edge devices keep 30 days of logs locally; export before wiping storage.
Screenshot
- Health dashboard with alert thresholds on graphs.
Related
Firmware Updates & Rollbacks
- Open Edge > Firmware and review available releases for your model.
- Schedule a maintenance window (weekend/dark hours) and stage the roll-out to a subset.
- Apply the update; monitor progress and keep a pre-update backup configuration.
- If issues occur, roll back to the previous firmware and file a bug report.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Test updates on a lab device before production rollout.
- Warning: Avoid firmware updates during active missions.
Screenshot
- Firmware release card with changelog and rollback button.
Related
3rd-Party Integrations
Connecting Ring Camera
- Select Integrations > Ring and click Connect Account.
- Authenticate via Ring OAuth and grant Defender access to cameras, motion, and doorbells.
- Map Ring cameras to Defender properties and choose recording retention policies.
- Enable automation rules (motion-triggered patrol, high-traffic exclusion zones).
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use Ring motion zones to trim false alerts from nearby streets.
- Note: Ring only shares live feeds; historical clips stay in Ring cloud.
Screenshot
- Ring auth screen and mapping table.
Related
Connecting Nest & Other Smart Sensors
- Choose Integrations > Nest (Thermostats, Doorbells, Cameras) or the sensor type.
- Use OAuth to authenticate with Google and approve Defender access.
- Assign devices to properties and configure triggers (e.g., doorbell rings start mission).
- Confirm data flows into Defender dashboards and that TTL/polling intervals match needs.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Nest temperature data helps plan mission times around HVAC cycles.
- Warning: Google tokens expire; enable automatic refresh.
Screenshot
- Nest device list with connection status.
Related
Testing Integrations
- Enter Integrations > Test Mode and select the integration (Ring/Nest/others).
- Trigger sample events (motion detection, doorbell press, IoT alert) from the source platform.
- Inspect Defender logs for incoming events and ensure timestamps match edge ingestion.
- Record results; note any warnings (rate limits, missing scopes) for follow-up.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Schedule tests during low-activity times to minimize false alerts.
- Note: Use test accounts to avoid impacting production environments.
Screenshot
- Integration test log showing success/failure badges.
Related
Managing Webhooks & Automation Rules
- Go to Automations > Webhooks and click New Webhook.
- Choose a trigger (drone mission anomaly, Ring motion, edge fault) and target endpoint.
- Format payload (JSON with timestamps, coordinates, asset IDs) and configure retry policies.
- Enable the webhook and monitor the delivery logs.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Add a HMAC signature to secure webhook payloads.
- Warning: Excessive retries can trigger rate-limit protections on partner APIs.
Screenshot
- Webhook builder with sample JSON payload.
Related
Recommendations & Plans
Choosing the Right Plan for Your Property
- Launch Plans > Advisor and choose property characteristics (size, perimeter complexity, mission cadence).
- View recommended tiers, mission allowances, and supported payloads.
- Compare what’s covered (drone hours, edge retention, IoT licenses) and select a plan.
- Enable plan-specific automation features and confirm start date.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use the “What you’ll need” checklist for sensor counts and pilot hours.
- Warning: Downgrading mid-cycle prunes some historical data after 30 days.
Screenshot
- Plan advisor chart showing recommended tier and coverage stats.
Related
Add-On Services & Upgrades
- Under Plans > Add-Ons, browse optional services (thermal missions, analytics, expedited reports).
- Configure the scope (weekly patrols, midday or night flights, extra telemetry storage).
- Review incremental costs and confirm addition to the next invoice.
- Monitor usage to ensure add-ons deliver expected value.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Analytics add-ons help interpret multispectral data and expedite incident response.
- Note: Night ops require explicit FAA waivers in addition to Defender plan coverage.
Screenshot
- Add-on catalog with toggle switches.
Related
Seasonal Coverage Recommendations
- Pull the seasonal recommendation report (summer/winter) from Plans > Seasonal.
- Review weather trends, vegetation growth, and access changes.
- Adjust mission frequency, add thermal flights for winter, or daylight-only for bird nesting seasons.
- Apply recommended schedule to your calendar and notify pilots.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Schedule wildfire patrols earlier in the day to avoid thermal turbulence.
- Warning: Falling leaves can obscure sensors; increase mission overlap during leaf drop.
Diagram
- Seasonal coverage matrix (spring through winter) mapping plan adjustments.
Related
Scaling from Single Site to Fleet Monitoring
- Define a fleet rollout plan covering additional sites in Plans > Fleet Expansion.
- Allocate drones, edge devices, and integrations per site; assign a lead operator for each.
- Use template mission profiles and map clones to speed deployment.
- Monitor KPI dashboards (coverage %, downtime, incidents) as you scale.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use pilot shift templates to standardize operations across locations.
- Note: Bulk onboarding requires approval from the security governance team.
Screenshot
- Fleet expansion heat map showing active and upcoming properties.
Related
Billing & Account
Managing Subscription
- Visit Account > Subscription Overview and view your current tier, add-ons, and usage.
- Click Change Plan to upgrade/downgrade; review prorations and effective dates.
- Confirm the change and receive immediate email confirmation.
- Track usage (flight hours, edge ingestion, integration events) to stay within limits.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Annual commitments include a 10% discount and dedicated support hours.
- Note: Downgrades require a 30-day notice to avoid a service gap.
Screenshot
- Subscription card with plan details and usage meter.
Related
Updating Payment Information
- Access Account > Payment Methods and click Add Card.
- Enter new card, billing address, and verify with the 3D Secure challenge.
- Set the new card as default and remove retired cards.
- Wait for the confirmation email and ensure auto-pay triggers on next invoice.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use a company card so expenses stay within the proper ledger.
- Note: Payment methods must align with the billing country on file.
Screenshot
- Payment method form with verification icon.
Related
Account Cancellation
- Go to Account > Close Account and download any needed data or reports.
- Review data retention policy (mission/edge logs removed after 30 days).
- Submit cancellation reason and confirm final invoice amount.
- Disable API keys and archive local integrations; await confirmation email.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Warning: Cancellation permanently deletes mission history beyond 30 days.
- Note: You can request a paused account instead of full cancellation.
Screenshot
- Cancellation confirmation modal with retention warning.
Related
Downloading Invoices
- Go to Account > Billing History and filter by date range.
- Click Download PDF for the invoice you need.
- Save to your records or upload to your finance system.
- Contact support if discrepancies require adjustment.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Enable recurring email copies for each new invoice.
- Note: Invoices detail mission hours, edge ingestion, and add-on charges.
Screenshot
- Billing history table with download buttons.
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Troubleshooting
Drone Not Responding
- Confirm the drone is powered and within Wi-Fi/mesh range.
- Check telemetry logs for heartbeat or radio spikes.
- Reboot the remote controller/base station if no heartbeat appears.
- Retry the mission; escalate to support if the drone remains offline.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Use the “Kill Switch” only when the drone poses immediate danger.
- Note: Telemetry logs capture RF interruptions that help root-cause analysis.
Screenshot
- Telemetry log timeline showing heartbeat gaps.
Related
Edge Device Offline
- Inspect LEDs for power and network status.
- Ping the edge IP and ensure the firewall allows outbound traffic.
- Reboot remotely; schedule an onsite power cycle if the device still fails.
- If offline for >10 minutes, dispatch a replacement unit and log the incident.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Cellular failover takes ~90 seconds to engage after ethernet failure.
- Note: Document offline incidents for SLA reports.
Screenshot
- Edge monitor view with offline badge.
Related
3rd-Party Device Failures
- Identify the failing device in Integrations > Logs.
- Power-cycle the hardware and ensure firmware is current.
- Reauthenticate to refresh OAuth tokens if needed.
- Mark the incident resolved when data flow resumes.
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Keep failure codes (e.g., 401 revoked token) to share with support.
- Note: Rate limits can temporarily block events; wait 5 mins before retrying.
Screenshot
- Integration log entry with failure status and retry button.
Related
Flight Log Errors
- Open Flight Logs and filter by mission or date.
- Identify errors flagged in red (GPS issues, engine failsafe, no-fly violation).
- Download logs for analysis and attach to the support ticket.
- Correct the underlying issue (e.g., calibrate compass, update maps).
Tips / Notes / Warnings
- Tip: Export logs in CSV when crossing data with FAA reports.
- Warning: Flight logs older than 90 days auto-archive; export before purging.
Screenshot
- Flight log detail showing error code and telemetry snapshot.
Related
FAQs
- Q: How close can drones fly to buildings?
- A: Maintain at least 30 ft lateral clearance unless you have property owner consent and update the corridor with that exception. No-fly zone avoidance remains active.
- Q: What happens if a drone loses connection mid-flight?
- A: Return-to-Launch triggers automatically, and an alert is sent to the priority contact list.
- Q: How often should landing zones be inspected?
- A: Inspect before every mission and document photos in the mission report. Mark any FOD (foreign object debris) and reverify clearances.
- Q: Can I integrate Ring, Nest, and my own sensors at once?
- A: Yes—assign each integration to a property and test them via the Integrations > Test Mode before enabling automation.
- Q: How is sensitive data retained?
- A: Flight video is stored for 30 days by default; analytics exports are kept for 90 days. Edge devices keep rolling logs until storage reaches 80%, then oldest files auto-purge.
Related
Multimedia & Contact Suggestions
- Multimedia: Annotated screenshots (map editor, mission planner, edge health dashboard); short walkthrough videos (“First Flight Checklist”, “Installing the Edge Device”); diagrams showing how IoT integrations (Ring/Nest) feed data through the edge to Defender cloud.
- CTA: At the bottom of every article, include a button or link: Need help? Contact Support or chat with us to launch the live chat/ ticket form.
Thank you for using Defender. Stay safe, fly compliant, and let us know anytime you need extra assistance.
Patent Pending