News

A remote-controlled drone helps in designing future wireless networks

New technique provides an accurate 3D model, which improves the prediction of the propagation of radio waves at millimetre-wave frequencies.
pressrelease_semkinwww_en.jpg

By using both the aerial photographs taken by the drone and photogrammetry software, researchers were able to create highly detailed 3D models of urban environments. Photo: Vasilii Semkin / Aalto University

The development of mobile devices has set increasingly high requirements for wireless networks and the emission of radio frequencies. Researcher Vasilii Semkin together with a research group at Aalto University and Tampere University of Technology has recently tested in their research work how aerial photographs taken using a so-called drone could be used in designing radio links.

By using both the aerial photographs taken by the drone and photogrammetry software, they were able to create highly detailed 3D models of urban environments. These models can be used in designing radio links. Photogrammetry is a technique where 3D objects can be formed from two or more photographs.

‘The measurements and simulations we performed in urban environments show that highly accurate 3D models can be beneficial for network planning at millimetre-wave frequencies’, Semkin says.

Towards a more cost-efficient design process

The researchers compared the simple modelling technique that is currently popular to their photogrammetry-based modelling technique.

‘With the technique used by us, the resulting 3D model of the environment is much more detailed, and the technique also makes it possible to carry out the design process in a more cost-efficient way. It is then easier for designers to decide which objects in the environment to be taken into account, and where the base stations should be placed to get the optimum coverage’, Semkin explains.

In the future, it will be possible to utilise the technique in designing 5G wireless connections, among other things.

The article has been published on web IEEE Xplore Document and it can be read by clicking this link.
(DOI: 10.1109/TVT.2016.2617919)

Further information:
Researcher Vasilii Semkin
Aalto University
[email protected]
tel +358 45 8044 402

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

Three happy students. Photo: Unto Rautio
Research & Art Published:

14 projects selected for seed funding to boost collaboration between Aalto, KU Leuven, and University of Helsinki

The funded projects lay the groundwork for future joint research endeavors, reinforcing the strategic partnership’s goal to fostering impactful and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Two people, one in a maroon sweater indoors, the other in a white shirt outdoors.
Appointments, Research & Art Published:

Two new assistant professors started at the Department of Electronics and Nanotechnology

Two new assistant professors were appointed in the Department of Electronics and Nanotechnology at Aalto University's School of Electrical Engineering. Read the interview with Kim Kwantae and Paul Verrinder.
Science illustration
Research & Art Published:

In a first, physicists show how to use the Helmi quantum computer in Finland to design topological quantum materials

A team of Aalto researchers demonstrated how the Finnish quantum computer Helmi can be used to understand topological quantum materials, providing a stepping stone to designing exotic quantum materials with quantum computers
A bee in a flower
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art, Studies Published:

Business is sustainability and sustainability is business

The year 2024 can be called the year of sustainability, as the School of Business continued to strongly promote sustainability in its research, teaching and other activities, which was also recognised with awards