Huawei's Wireless X Labs research center has announced a new initiative designed to enable the delivery of low airspace network coverage for the burgeoning drone industry.
The Digital Sky Initiative aims to provide low airspace network coverage of 300 meters to support the development of new and enhanced applications for drones.
As the drone industry develops, point-to-point communication between drones and remote control platforms is no longer adequate, according to Zhou Yuefeng, CMO of Huawei’s wireless network product line.
“More and more activities that traditionally take place on the ground are now happening in the air. The combination of drones and cellular networks will redefine the airspace, transforming the way we travel, shop, and create,” he said.
“However, all current base stations are designed to serve humans and objects on the ground. Low airspace drones are supported by reflected signals and side lobe coverage. As a result, drones presently face severe signal interference challenges. The current network can only support a limited number of drone applications where aircraft fly below 120 meters."
Zhou said the digital sky initiative consists of three stages. The first phase in 2017 and 2018 will involve constructing connected drone application demo sites and promoting standardization of cellular-network-based management.
In the second stage between 2019 and 2020 Huawei will target field tests and a deployment in over five countries for commercial use, while stage three from 2020 onwards will seek to bring low airspace digital networks into commercial use, and provide network coverage for at least 30% of low airspace.
Huawei Wireless X Labs has also set up a special interest group consisting of governments, operators, drone vendors, industry organizations and other stakeholders to support the initiative.