5G Enhanced Navigation Integrity for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Systems: Final presentation of project EL2-105 “5G Drone Positioning”
Last Updated: 10/10/2022 10:57 Created at: 10/10/2022 10:54
Applications for UAVs, such as drones, are predicted to have significant long term economic and societal benefits. However, the safe and effective operation of UAVs depends upon a PNT (Position, Navigation and Timing) service with assured availability, continuity, integrity and accuracy. This is a challenge in urban airspace environments such as cities and towns, which suffer from degraded GNSS signal reception due to obscured satellite view and signal multipath effects.
This NAVISP EL2-105 ‘5G Drone Positioning’ activity was part of a NAVISP Thematic Window designed to demonstrate how new 5G cellular networks can be leveraged for positioning and timing applications to complement satellite navigation. The project was carried out by CGI, who have developed a proof-of-concept assured hybrid 5G and GNSS-based positioning system for drones, demonstrating the potential of 5G technology to provide future complementary or backup PNT solutions for UAVs. A key element of this project is the operation beyond the visual line of sight (BVLoS).
5G signals are delivered over multiple diverse frequency bands and are significantly stronger than GNSS signals, increasing their resilience to jamming and spoofing. Deployment of 5G infrastructure is typically urban, potentially offering a solution where GNSS suffers most. Multiple independent mobile network operators deliver 5G services, providing resilience against cyber-attacks. These advantages of using 5G for PNT are understood, although questions remain around 5G coverage for airborne users and if the infrastructure geometry and base station clock performance can support positioning applications.
These issues were addressed in this project, which designed and built a 5G and GNSS capable drone payload, deployed in test flights near 5G transmitters in Southwest London. Several different flight paths, altitudes and frequencies were tested, providing insights on transmitter coverage and direction (boresight). 5G observation data was extracted from raw RF capture and clock models were derived for transmitters using a Kalman Filter.
The project outcome was a proof-of-concept hybrid system fusing GNSS and 5G observations to provide positioning with integrity measures, crucial for BVLoS flight. A concrete opportunity for the company is now in progress to extend this system to 4G coverage in the UK for emergency vehicles. Potential future applications include Maritime UAVs and seamless outdoor to indoor navigation. A white paper on 5G positioning is in preparation by CGI.
This project was actioned in the framework of NAVISP Element 2, which supports the competitiveness of European industries. The Final Presentation slides can be found [link].