Singapore telecoms company M1 is working with Airbus to conduct coastal 5G standalone (SA) network trials of urban air mobility (UAM) operations.
The trials, which also involve the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), aim to ensure that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can operate safely and efficiently during all phases of their flights.
M1 will provide 4G and 5G network planning, including data collection for performance and coverage analysis of the mobile network in the operating areas, network parameter optimisation and interference minimisation. It will also assess the use of 4G and 5G technologies to provide enhanced geo-location positioning information for all phases of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flight using network-based information, which is more precise than the current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technologies.
As well as a fleet of UAS, Airbus will provide expertise in the integration of the unmanned aircraft for the trials, ensuring that the UAS flight operations meet safety and regulatory requirements.
Local company TeamOne Technologies Pte Ltd will also contribute to the trials by designing and developing an aeronautical certified 5G SA communication modem that meets the technical specifications required for UAS operations.
The project “continues Singapore’s efforts to build an open and inclusive 5G innovative ecosystem around the use cases of port operations, and incident management and response,” M1 said.
In addition to the coastal trials, M1 and Airbus also plan to conduct connectivity trials for inland areas.
The mobile operator expects the trials to lead to a better understanding of evolving 5G standards, their feasibility and requirements for UAM applications, and future citywide UAS operations in Singapore’s urban and coastal environment.
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Tags: 5G, air mobility