Commonly, “5G” as well as “past visual line of sight” are pointed out in the very same breath, as if 5G is a prerequisite for drone trips unseen. But the concept that 5G modern technology necessarily makes BVLOS possible is a type of misconception. This is what 5G specialist Gokul Srinivasan specifies in an interview with Unmanned Airspace. According to Srinivasan, 2G and 3G suffice for tracking and managing drones that travel cross countries. 5G provides higher data prices, however not in all instances.

As technological supervisor,

two of the 3 benefits

Srinivasan is involved in Robots Expert, a company that participates in numerous research jobs in the field of drones and also 5G. Yet according to Srinivasan, we should not anticipate miracles from 5G when it involves BVLOS drone procedures. 5G carries out particularly well when it involves ground-level applications. In the instance of a drone flying at a height of a few hundred meters, it’s a various story.

“The problem is in the high regularities required to attain a huge data transfer. However that only operates at brief distances [ compared to the ground cell towers] 5G supplies 3 benefits: boosted array, much less signal delay and greater transmission capacity. You can choose 2. You don’t obtain all three at the very same time,” says Srinivasan. “To sustain BVLOS drone flights using 5G, a low frequency should be picked. In that case, you will not profit from the higher rates that 5G allows.”

UTM can likewise be utilized with 2G and 3G

When it involves remote monitoring of drones for the advantage of unmanned website traffic monitoring (UTM) then 2G and also 3G are enough despite the fact that. These protocols give adequate rate to ahead place as well as navigating data, along with, for example, the transmission of current system information and subsequent waypoints. 5G is not yet suitable for this, due to the lack of insurance coverage.

According to Srinivasan, the concern is what is feasible with 5G as it’s about sustaining BVLOS drone flights.” As soon as 5G is fully turned out, we will just see what is actually feasible. Theoretically, you can get to more ground terminals at a greater altitude, only the antennas at those terminals are usually not dealing with up, but imminent. Although 5G does offer targeted radio waves, you can not at the same time sustain both ground and also airborne applications.”

UTM company case problematic

One more trouble is in business situation for UTM systems, thinks Srinivasan. “UTM service providers can only earn money when drones fly around en masse that are supported by them. I do not see that happening. Much, there is rarely any conversation regarding who is going to pay for all these systems, as well as if so how usually as well as how much.”