7 Platformone Uncrewed Systems Technology | June/July 2023 Nokia has developed the first UAV with 5G connectivity that is CE-certified for industrial operations (writes Nick Flaherty). The ‘UAV in a box’ includes 4G and 5G connectivity with a dual gimbal camera, docking station and edge data processing. An open API allows integration of third-party applications for customisation. Nokia worked with Protolabs to develop the parts for the UAV using injection moulding: they are pressed, packed and shipped to Nokia for assembly. The components have tomeet all the flammability standards for CE approval and stand up to the requirements of outdoor use with fluctuating temperatures, precipitation and UV radiation. The precise choice of material for the designwas key. A fewweeks into the venture, despite the fact that tooling at Protolabs had already begun, Nokia had to abandon its first choice of material because it did not meet the certification standards and the precise needs of the design. Nokia and Protolabs would not comment on the exact choice of material. “Our selection process took on two phases,” said Thomas Eder, head of embedded wireless solutions at Nokia Enterprise Solutions. “In the first, since therewere no qualifyingmaterials, we looked at materials typically used in the automotive sector that alsomeet aviation standards. Then, in the second phase, wematched thematerial against Protolabs’ machining capabilities.” The collaboration required 19 different part designs, for both the casing and the structural aspects of the UAV, as well as for one gasket. “The material not only had to meet aviation safety and outdoor use certification standards, it had to allow the UAV to perform as a 5G device with connectivity,” said Eder. “In addition to the strict requirements for certification, the material also had to performwell in a mechanically challenging environment, where heavy vibrations and shocks are present. Aerial solutions also require the parts to be as lightweight as possible, which means thin walls that create challenges in the moulding pressure,” he said. “From a manufacturing perspective the initial material presented no particular challenge in terms of press capability,” said Dom Corpuz, the Protolabs application engineer who led the project. “But the material that was ultimately selected by Nokia, after flow simulations were conducted, showed it would potentially encounter filling issues when the parts were moulded. “This challenge was overcome by collaboration between us and the team at Nokia, where we discussed part design changes, tooling configurations and the pressure needed to ensure an effective flow of material into the mould cavity.” The dual gimbal payload has integrated HD RGB and thermal cameras. The UAV can also be equipped with other payloads such as loudspeakers, searchlights or customisable sensors for smoke, motion, radiation and more, by using the Nokia payload development kit. Using cellular connectivity also offers higher data rates and lower latency than wi-fi, and supports BVLOS operations with real-time kinetic positioning for more accurate positioning. Dual modems connect simultaneously to multiple networks, complying with the system redundancy capability that is commonly required by aviation regulatory bodies. The UAV can be operated remotely for search & rescue and to assess damage in a hazardous environment, but it can also be programmed to manage autonomous scheduled flights for applications such as additional security at large events or to manage remote equipment inspections. Airborne vehicles CE-certified 5GUAV Nokia’s 5G-connected UAV uses materials from motorsport that meet aviation standards
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