Qualcomm test proves: Yes, drones can be controlled with 4G signals

The drone craze has swept the world. Although there are no obstacles to controlling drones over short distances, long-distance remote control is still a technical challenge. According to the latest news from foreign media, Qualcomm recently announced that after many tests, it has been proven that it is completely feasible to use mobile base station signals to remotely control drones. Through this communication method, drones can also stay online at any time.

According to the American technology news website Engadget, all walks of life are developing a wide range of uses for drones. Among them, the flight distance of drones is getting farther and farther, and it has long exceeded people's visual range. At this time, it has become a problem to implement precise control of drones.

Theoretically, mobile base stations can provide a means of long-distance communication, but this requires rigorous testing and verification. Qualcomm recently released a report that claims to have proven through more than 1,000 flight tests that it is possible to accurately control drones using mobile 4G networks.

Experiments have shown that even at an altitude of 122 meters, drones can still obtain strong mobile base station signals. In addition, the large-scale construction of mobile base stations can also support the control of drones over a larger range.

Qualcomm's test report also pointed out that in fact, the communication between drones and mobile base stations is even better than that of smartphones in some aspects, and the frequency of switching mobile base stations is lower than that of mobile phones.

Qualcomm is the world's top mobile communication technology developer, holding a large number of 3G and 4G communication patent technologies. Patent licensing has become an important business model for Qualcomm. If drones and mobile base stations can communicate in the future, it will further enhance the use of mobile communications and increase the value of Qualcomm.

Qualcomm also stated that some technical improvements are still needed in drone mobile communications, such as reducing communication interference at a certain altitude, and optimizing a ground mobile base station to support communications with more drones.

It is reported that Qualcomm has shared the results of this experiment with some other communication standard organizations. It is expected that in the near future, some drone manufacturers will implant SIM cards in their products and control them through mobile communications.

Drones connected to base stations will open up a huge application space. Drones can stay online at any time during flight, allowing drone users such as express delivery companies to complete a variety of rich application functions. For example, TV media can use drones to provide live video services.

In addition to the research and development of mobile communication technology, Qualcomm is also the world's largest application processor manufacturer. The company is also vigorously developing the drone chip market. Previously, Qualcomm has launched a chip platform for drones, integrating other flight control chips based on the Snapdragon chip and providing them in packages to drone manufacturers.

It is also reported that Intel has previously cooperated with AT&T, the second largest mobile communications operator in the United States, to test the use of 4G networks to communicate with drones.

In some areas with dense mobile communication coverage, as long as the power supply problem of drones is solved, 4G remote control will ensure that drones can fly farther and further develop application functions.

In addition, the drone regulatory policy previously announced by the United States stipulates that drones are prohibited from flying beyond visual range, but this regulation has caused dissatisfaction among many manufacturers, especially express drone projects such as Amazon. After soliciting feedback from the industry, the US government is very likely to lift the restrictions on flights within visual range.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.