Experimental Evaluation of Cellular Networks for UAV Operation and Services

New emerging applications for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are attracting attention from key stakeholders, including the European Commission, where the U-space initiative is a clear example of the momentum being gathered. Cellular networks offer wide area, high speed, and secure wireless connectivity, which can enhance control and safety for UAV operations in beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) scenarios. This paper describes the work undertaken to assess if existing commercial cellular networks can ensure high data connectivity in low altitude and BVLOS UAV operational scenarios throughout different times-of-day. Dedicated radio probes have been developed to monitor the aerial cellular network performance for different heights and propagation conditions. Evaluations have been performed in two separated outdoor aerial testbeds and the collected results hint for a promising off-the-shelf service guarantee in low altitudes and inspire for a disruptive "drone-as-a-service" business model.