5G!Drones Final Trials at Aalto University, Helsinki, August 2022 - full version

Описание: 5G!Drones project partners demonstrated drones control via 5G in Helsinki, at Aalto University.

On August 18, our 5G!Drones project partners conducted final trials at Aalto University (Helsinki, Finland).

Controlling drones over the cellular network enables drone flights in urban areas, where controlling the drone using a radio remote control is otherwise limited to a maximum distance of approx. 500m from drone operator because buildings prevent the propagation of radio communications. However, cellular communication is guaranteed in all urban areas. Drone operators can deploy their C2 software containers to Edge servers connected to the 5G network, and thus control the drones over the 5G cellular network with low latency.

Aalto University has a Nokia 5G SA network for technical tests. The 5G!Drones project demonstrates the state-of-the-art cellular technology, i.e. 5G SA (Stand-Alone) network, benefits for drones control.

The purpose of CAFA Logistics' automated flight was to use the Command and Control (C2) control system container running on the 5G Edge server (Aalto server) and deliver a package of paracetamol tablets by automated flight. A 5G modem was integrated into the on-board computer of the CAFA Tech 5G drone for C2 communication.

Since GPS is often inaccurate in urban conditions, the drone's camera streamed the video image to the operator of the Logistics company so that it could be taken over manually if necessary. CAFA Tech C2 system shared the drone location in the FRQ UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system in which the locations of all drones and planes are visible at the same time.

Aalto University´s IoT sensing automated flight was also controlled over 5G SA. A 5G Nokia phone was attached to the Aalto drone, which generated Wifi and thus ensured the C2 application access over the 5G SA network to the Rasberry Pi on board the drone. Two IoT sensors were attached to the Rasberry Pi: a humidity sensor and a CO2 sensor.

Thanks to the contribution of the partners of the 5G!Drones project to the development of technologies in the last 3 years, the Aalto trials were successfully completed.