Status quo und experimentelle Validierung von zellulären Netzen für Drohnen

The EASA UAV regulations introduced in January 2021 enable many new business areas for potential UAV applications. In particular, the defined SPECIFIC category will enable flights outside the visual line of sight.

For the safe use of UAVs, especially outside the visual line of sight, a reliable data link and the possibility of UAV monitoring are absolutely essential. If the data link is lost, there is a risk of losing the UAV and, in the worst-case scenario, property damage or even physical injury. As there currently are no dedicated specifications for the UAV hardware to be used, it is also very difficult to start the approval process for these UAV missions.

Cellular technology is currently a promising option for enabling the safe operation of UAS outside the pilot’s direct line of sight. What is missing, however, is a well-founded scientific analysis and, above all, commercial systems that are easy to implement for all parties involved, i.e. UAV operators, cellular communication providers and authorities.

This article therefore examines the current cellular network performance for drone applications and identifies research areas, which are essential for a commercial market, by investigating mobile communications in rural and very remote alpine regions as well as in urban areas.