In the realm of emergency response and disaster relief, reliable communication is paramount. Researchers from the University of Padova in Italy, led by Mattia Figaro and Michele Zorzi, have been exploring innovative solutions to provide connectivity in rural or compromised environments where traditional infrastructure is unavailable. Their recent study, published in the IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, focuses on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite terminals to deliver emergency connectivity.
The research team implemented a system where a rotary-wing UAV, outfitted with a Starlink Mini terminal, served as an aerial base station. This UAV provided internet connectivity to a ground user in a rural area lacking cellular coverage, utilizing the Starlink satellite constellation for backhauling. The ground user connected to the UAV via Wi-Fi, which then relayed the traffic through the satellite network.
The study evaluated the system’s performance through both network simulations using the ns-3 simulator and real-world flight experiments. Key metrics such as throughput, latency, coverage, and energy consumption were assessed under both static and dynamic flight conditions. The results were promising, with the system maintaining a stable uplink throughput of approximately 30 Mbps up to a distance of about 200 meters. Importantly, the UAV’s battery lifetime was not significantly impacted, demonstrating the practical feasibility of the solution.
For the energy sector, this research highlights the potential for UAV-mounted LEO satellite terminals to provide reliable connectivity in remote or disaster-stricken areas. This could be particularly valuable for energy companies operating in rural locations or responding to emergencies, where traditional communication infrastructure may be compromised. The ability to quickly deploy and establish connectivity can enhance operational efficiency and safety, ensuring that critical information can be relayed without delay. The findings suggest that commercial LEO satellite terminals on UAVs offer a practical and effective solution for emergency connectivity, with minimal impact on the UAV’s battery life, making it a viable option for various applications in the energy industry.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.