As a leader in 4G LTE technology, Qualcomm and its engineers did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity to test LTE-controlled drones in real-world scenarios. We were eager to analyze how, and if drones could operate safely and securely on today’s commercial 4G LTE networks.
Today’s cellular networks are designed to serve smartphones and other ground mobile devices, so the first thing we wanted to find was how cellular networks can serve drones which operate at higher altitudes. Conventional wisdom says that current cellular deployments can’t provide coverage for drones at higher altitudes because antennas on cell towers point down to serve mobile devices on the ground.
We also wanted to study how to support safe drone operation in real-world environments without impacting terrestrial network operation. Our findings from this research would not only help us optimize LTE networks for safe drone operation, but also inform positive developments in drone regulations and 5G specifications as they relate to wide-scale deployment of numerous drone use cases.
To begin, Qualcomm Technologies worked with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a certification of authorization allowing for drone testing below 400 feet around the company’s San Diego headquarters. Our FAA-authorized Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Flight Center not only provided ideal proximity to extensive Qualcomm R&D facilities, but it also allowed for testing inside Class B Controlled airspace because of its location near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar — a very active military air station. In addition, our flight center is surrounded by the very real-world conditions autonomous drones must one day navigate, including commercial zones, populated residential areas and large swaths of uninhabited areas. Combined, these areas make our flight center’s location one of the most challenging real-world testing environments possible.
Comments
I was under the impression that there was more collaboration between Qualcomm & 3DR for this type of development.