Utilizing Private Mobile Network for UAV Communication in Logistics

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology is evolving each year at a rapid pace and new innovative ways of utilizing UAV’s are constantly emerging. Manufacturers are launching new solutions to the market almost each year. These technological solutions are making the use of UAVs safer and more versatile thus making them a potential technology to many business use cases and applications. There are still some challenges, such as the limitations to the UAV’s connectivity that are limiting the use of UAV’s in extreme operations. UAVs demand two different communication links for their operation, (1) a command and control link to control the drone and (2) a data link for the payloads higher throughput rate. A reliable data link is an essential part of UAV-based applications. It allows data transfer from payload devices such as sensors, cameras, to edge and cloud enabling real-time data gather for analysis and decision making. Although, UAVs are still mainly controlled by ISM band short-range radio controllers, for years there has been a discussion ongoing that the mobile network technology could bring a new way to control the UAV’s in long-range operations. This paper studies the use of a mobile network for UAV communications in business applications. The focus of this paper is on logistics use cases in which the UAVs can enable more useful, faster and more efficient ways of delivering small packages. The paper also introduces UAV platforms that are designed and build on specific logistic use cases challenges related to their communications.