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A broadcast communication evaluation test was conducted to identify unmanned aircraft remotely
NEDO has succeeded in evaluating the test of broadcast communication systems to identify drones remotely for the safe and secure operation of drones and other unmanned aircraft. The test was conducted from October 19 to 23 in the Fukushima Robot Test Field (Namie-cho, Minamisoma-shi, Fukushima) to confirm that it can be identified with a horizontal distance of 300m or more.
Specifically, we applied broadcast-type communication evaluation test methods using Bluetooth5.0 to conduct tests to confirm the success rate of communication between a drone flying at an altitude of approximately 150m with a prototype transmitter and a prototype evaluation receiver located on the ground, and confirmed the performance of a maximum communication success rate of 95% at a horizontal distance of 300m. In this test, we demonstrated the effectiveness of broadcast communication, which is one of the communication systems.
In the future, based on this test method, security will be implemented with a view to inspecting and operating the transmitted data, and research and development will be conducted to ensure safe and secure operation of the drone.
Fig. 1 Communication evaluation test
1. Overview
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is developing project to remotely identify the IDs of unmanned aircraft to conduct research and development on space sharing with attended airplanes, develop flight management systems, and so on. In the future, with a view to proposing to international standards, we aim to create a society in which all of our drone providers can operate drones safely and securely.
The R&D, including technology for remotely identifying unmanned aircraft, is developing communication systems that send identification information and location information by attaching a transmitter to an unmanned aircraft, and flight information sharing systems that assume manned and unmanned aircrafts will be shared with each other. By evaluating interoperability with flight management systems, we are aiming to realize secure BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flight of unattended aircraft.
Under these circumstances, from October 19 to October 23, NEDO conducted a broadcast-type communication assessment test at the Fukushima Robotic Test Field (Namie-cho, Minamisoma-shi, Fukushima), which is one of the communication systems technologies for remotely identifying unmanned aircraft, and confirmed that they can be identified with a horizontal range of 300m or more.
Concretely, we applied a broadcast communication evaluation test method using Bluetooth5.0 to check the success rate of a flight at an altitude of about 150 meters with a prototype transmitter and a prototype evaluation receiver located on the ground. As a result, we were able to confirm the performance of a maximum communication success rate of 95% at a horizontal distance of 300m.
In this test, the validity of broadcast communication, one of the communication methods, was verified.
2. Overview of verification test
One way to remotely communicate identification information is to send information directly from the remote controller on the unmanned aircraft to the ground receiver. The broadcast communication method does not require a base station passes information.
In this communication evaluation test, the test conditions for this broadcast communication method were applied. Test evaluation items were mainly carried out in three items: "Horizontal distance between transmitter and evaluation receiver," "Transmitter altitude," and "Transmitter location."
| No. | Item | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horizontal distance between transmitter and evaluation receiver | 300m,500m,700m |
| 2 | Transmitter altitude | 50m,150m |
| 3 | Position of the transmitter |
4 directions The position where the transmitter is in front of the evaluation receiver is 0 degrees, and rotates every 90 degrees. Approximately ideal evaluation with visible transmitter and receiver |
| 4 | Amount of data |
244 bytes per time (Identification information, location information, time, authentication information, etc.) |
| 5 | Location of Conduct |
Transmitter: Runway Evaluation receiver: on the central aisle, runway |
| 6 | Broadcasting frequency | Once per second |
| 7 | Radio wave conditions | Confirmation of radio wave conditions around measurement sites |
A prototype small transmitter was mounted on the unmanned aircraft for the communication evaluation test, and it actually flew to an altitude of approximately 150m, and the reception status was evaluated while changing conditions such as the horizontal distance to the evaluation receiver located on the ground.
Figure 2 Unmanned aircraft with remote ID module
Figure 3 Transmitter and Evaluation Receiver Position
| Classification | Item | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| General | Battery operating time | 7 hours or more (target) |
| Power supply | Batteries | Li-ion rechargeable battery 3. 8V 1,670mAh |
| Wireless | Wireless communication method | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Communication distance | Max. 500m (Objective) | |
| Mechanism | External dimensions | 80mm(W)×85mm(H)×21mm(D) |
| Weight | 134g | |
| Battery installation | Battery detachable (Exchange by removing screws) | |
| Laws and regulations | Radio Law |
Japanese authentication-mode: LE Coded 125kbps (S=8), LE 1M Certification number: 003-200038 |
| Antenna power | 10mW |
For receivers located on the ground, we developed a prototype receiver that can receive a number of communication methods, such as Bluetooth5.0, and measure the success rate of communications. The receiver was tested, including the simultaneous evaluation by the transmitter.
Figure 4 Form of Evaluation Receiver
Figure 5 Transmitter Communication Evaluation Test