SK Telecom (SKT) announced on Aug. 31 that it has developed an integrated solution and simulator for measuring, predicting and analyzing the communication quality of airspace networks for UAMs.
SKT has developed an integrated solution to measure the quality of the upper air network by utilizing drones with a communication environment similar to that of UAM aircraft, which fly routes over urban centers and tourist areas at an operating altitude of 300~600m and a cruising speed of 100~150km/h.
The integrated solution displays the airspace network quality data measured by drones in real time using analysis tools, and visualizes the measurement results in maps, graphs, and charts.
It also applies scenarios in which UAM passengers use smart devices, such as making calls, SNS, and watching videos, to more accurately assess the quality of communication services in the upper air network.
SKT has also developed a simulator for predicting the communication quality of the airspace network for UAM.
SKT's self-developed airspace network communication quality prediction simulator can integrate and analyze the effects of various factors that change communication quality, such as flight path setting, flight altitude setting, antenna height, upward tilt, orientation angle, and beam pattern.
Therefore, it can be used to calculate the investment cost of the airspace network and derive the optimal design plan considering realistic constraints such as base station installation environment and ground network interference.
In addition, SKT plans to develop an AI-based optimal design model that recommends optimal base station and antenna settings in the future to improve simulator performance, thereby improving the quality of the airspace network and reducing analysis time.
The integrated solution for analyzing airspace network communication quality for UAM and the airspace network communication quality prediction simulator developed by SKT were developed to operate organically.
The actual data of UAS quality measured by drones is reflected in the prediction simulator that applies a standard propagation model to minimize measurement and prediction errors.
In addition, the optimal airspace network base station construction and configuration methods provided by the simulator are applied to the test airspace network and subsequently used to improve the communication quality performance of the demonstration and commercial airspace network.
Together with Joby Aviation, a global partner in the field of UAM aircraft operation, SKT is discussing mutual collaboration on the calculation of data transmission and reception speeds for navigation and control, as well as the installation of additional communication equipment, with the aim of securing differentiated airspace network quality measurement research data from the initial demonstration phase of the K-UAM Grand Challenge.
Meanwhile, SKT presented its airspace network vision for UAM at MWC 2023 in March, and has been continuously conducting communication quality checks in the pilot airspace network testbeds built in Goheung and Yangpyeong since last year.
