An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft with no human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs can connect to their control centres via dedicated or public wireless networks.
What are the challenges of RAN planning for UAVs?
Radio Access Network (RAN) planning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) presents several unique technical challenges compared to traditional terrestrial networks due to UAVs' altitude, mobility, and unique line-of-sight (LOS) characteristics.
Here’s a breakdown of some core challenges:
- Coverage and Altitude: UAVs operate at higher altitudes than typical RAN coverage. Multi-layered coverage with adjustable antennas and power can help.
- Line-of-Sight (LOS): UAVs often have strong LOS, increasing signal strength but also interference. Beamforming and targeted handovers help manage it.
- Interference: UAV signals can interfere with ground networks, especially in dense areas. Power control and network slicing can manage interference.
- 3D Propagation Models: UAVs need 3D spatial models to handle altitude-related path loss. New models for UAV-specific paths are crucial.
RAN Planning for UAVs using Atoll
Atoll allows engineers to consider UAVs in the RAN planning process through a dedicated Atoll UAV module.
Atoll UAV module is a comprehensive tool to predict radio access network status along Unmanned Arial Vehicles trajectories and display them in 2D or 3D.
This module allows analysis of the Radio Access Network (RAN) to support UAV applications through an adapted design and planning. It supports various RAN technologies, including LTE and 5G NR, ensuring compatibility with advanced UAV use cases.
