Drones Could Aid First Responders, Researchers Say
In addition to his work as a senior scientist at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, Vasilii Semkin has been a drone enthusiast for more than a decade. His passion for drones includes developing high-value drone applications that have global impact, such as using drones to develop more effective wireless networks in urban settings.
When Semkin and New York University electrical and computer engineering professor Sundeep Rangan learned of a call from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Academy of Finland for projects, they decided to apply. The result was a three-year-long collaboration between VTT and NYU called AERIAL that challenged the limits of drone technology to create an innovative channel measurement system that enables real-time high data rate communication between drones and ground robots.
The intent is to use those sorts of communications links to assist paramedics, firefighters, police, and others who manage emergency situations.
The research team focused on millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless communication between unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and ground units, such as cars or robots.
Vasilii Semkin (left) led an international team examining the communications challenges for harnessing the power of drones to assist first responders. Photo: VTT
The term mmWave refers to the part of radio frequency spectrum that stretches between 20 GHz and 100 GHz, or between 15 mm to 3 mm in length. These frequencies are not heavily used; however, trying to exploit these millimeter wave frequencies can be difficult because of increased path loss, reduced scattering, greater background noise, and limited transmitter linearity due to obstacles such as buildings and infrastructure.
The researchers were successful in developing this UAS-based mmWave channel measurement system, as well as relevant channel models, which are the foundation for any wireless system design.
There were, however, significant challenges to overcome, such as signal propagation, system compactness, and testing the measurement system in an urban environment.
“Testing the measurement system in an urban environment was challenging, since the UAS regulations get quite strict,” Semkin said. “We also had to verify that everything works. For example, debugging the code took some time, as did optimizing the weight of the payload so that it could be integrated onto the drone.”
Some parts of the code were too so complex, “making it very that it that it was very difficult to sync drone flight with the planned measurement scenario,” Semkin said. “Some simplifications were required in order to perform the measurement campaigns.”
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Antenna and arrays that operate at millimeter wave frequencies have a higher resonant frequency and a smaller wavelength compared to the same antenna operating in other ranges. Therefore, mmWave antennas have smaller geometrical dimensions and arrays are very compact.
“My background is in radio frequency, but mechanical engineering is a big part in my work,” Semkin said. “For example, integrating different payloads on the UAS requires developing custom mounts. My designed antennas also require supports and mounts for testing and installation.”
“Drones could fly ahead of ambulances, analyze traffic in real time, and provide data to reroute emergency vehicles, helping them avoid congestion,” Semkin said. “In emergencies, delays of just a few minutes can be critical.”
Once communication between UAS and ground vehicles has established, artificial intelligence can significantly enhance urban safety monitoring by making drones more autonomous and efficient in complex environments.
Given the size, weight, and power limitations of flying vehicles, “we have developed a unique measurement system that operates at mmWave frequencies and is integrated into UAS,” said Semkin. The data collected by the drones in the project could provide the basis for communication models that could eventually become international standards, he added.
This research is the first step toward designing a wireless communications system between drones and ground response vehicles or robots. Detailed simulations and further testing are required before the system can be widely implemented in commercial applications.
“It is important that the new envisioned applications continue developing so the current and upcoming regulations will support them,” added Semkin.
Mark Crawford is a technology writer in Corrales, N.M.
When Semkin and New York University electrical and computer engineering professor Sundeep Rangan learned of a call from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Academy of Finland for projects, they decided to apply. The result was a three-year-long collaboration between VTT and NYU called AERIAL that challenged the limits of drone technology to create an innovative channel measurement system that enables real-time high data rate communication between drones and ground robots.
The intent is to use those sorts of communications links to assist paramedics, firefighters, police, and others who manage emergency situations.
Connecting Drones and Ground Robots
Semkin and Rangan developed a drone-based system that measures radio signals in the air that could enable high data rate communication between drones and ground robots. They developed and tested this drone-based channel measurement system and relevant channel models to learn how radio signals propagate through the air and around buildings.The research team focused on millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless communication between unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and ground units, such as cars or robots.
Vasilii Semkin (left) led an international team examining the communications challenges for harnessing the power of drones to assist first responders. Photo: VTT
The researchers were successful in developing this UAS-based mmWave channel measurement system, as well as relevant channel models, which are the foundation for any wireless system design.
There were, however, significant challenges to overcome, such as signal propagation, system compactness, and testing the measurement system in an urban environment.
“Testing the measurement system in an urban environment was challenging, since the UAS regulations get quite strict,” Semkin said. “We also had to verify that everything works. For example, debugging the code took some time, as did optimizing the weight of the payload so that it could be integrated onto the drone.”
Some parts of the code were too so complex, “making it very that it that it was very difficult to sync drone flight with the planned measurement scenario,” Semkin said. “Some simplifications were required in order to perform the measurement campaigns.”
More like This: The Best of Both Worlds for Robotic Swarms
Antenna and arrays that operate at millimeter wave frequencies have a higher resonant frequency and a smaller wavelength compared to the same antenna operating in other ranges. Therefore, mmWave antennas have smaller geometrical dimensions and arrays are very compact.
“My background is in radio frequency, but mechanical engineering is a big part in my work,” Semkin said. “For example, integrating different payloads on the UAS requires developing custom mounts. My designed antennas also require supports and mounts for testing and installation.”
Future Steps
Knowing how radio signals behave in urban environments can improve the communication between drones and ground-based vehicles and robots in an emergency setting.“Drones could fly ahead of ambulances, analyze traffic in real time, and provide data to reroute emergency vehicles, helping them avoid congestion,” Semkin said. “In emergencies, delays of just a few minutes can be critical.”
Once communication between UAS and ground vehicles has established, artificial intelligence can significantly enhance urban safety monitoring by making drones more autonomous and efficient in complex environments.
Given the size, weight, and power limitations of flying vehicles, “we have developed a unique measurement system that operates at mmWave frequencies and is integrated into UAS,” said Semkin. The data collected by the drones in the project could provide the basis for communication models that could eventually become international standards, he added.
This research is the first step toward designing a wireless communications system between drones and ground response vehicles or robots. Detailed simulations and further testing are required before the system can be widely implemented in commercial applications.
“It is important that the new envisioned applications continue developing so the current and upcoming regulations will support them,” added Semkin.
Mark Crawford is a technology writer in Corrales, N.M.
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