Recently, South Korea's SKT (SK Telecom Group) announced the launch of an integrated communication and AI module for smart response systems to combat illegal drones that threaten critical national infrastructure such as nuclear power plants and airports.
As anti-drone technology is rapidly evolving worldwide, cooperation between the public and private sectors in South Korea is moving forward to minimize the damage caused by illegal drones.
Since 2021, SKT has participated in the Illegal Drone Intelligent Response Technology Development Project led by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and the Korea Aerospace Exploration Agency (KAERI), and has been working on the development of a module that combines LTE communication technology and AI video analytics required for drone flight and mission execution.
SKT's newly developed module connects drones and ground control systems via PS-LTE or commercial LTE networks, transmitting drone motion status and control data at any time. Meanwhile, a camera integrated with deep learning algorithms can determine whether the drone is in an illegal state through AI calculations.
Image Source: Sourced from the Internet
Since the module does not need to be synchronized with a server, the time required for AI analysis can be minimized, enabling real-time video analysis. The module has outstanding computing power and can fully meet the arithmetic requirements on the drone.
The Illegal Drone Intelligent Response System integrates the module to enable patrol drones equipped with radar, RF sniffers, electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) capture equipment to detect unknown drones in the vicinity of critical national infrastructure.
Based on this information, the response drone can jam illegal drones through GNSS spoofing, jamming and net gunning.
SKT has undergone in-depth research and development to become the first Korean company to integrate LTE communications, AI video analytics, and mission computer functions into a single device module for a UAV.
The module's design combines IP43 level dust and water resistance to achieve effective protection against external factors such as dust and water droplets, while cooling fans can be utilized to achieve effective heat dissipation.
In addition, the module can interact with other mission equipment on the UAV using a variety of interfaces such as USB and Ethernet, while SKT has also completed electromagnetic compatibility testing of the module to effectively avoid electromagnetic conflicts between connected devices.
In order to maximize the critical flight endurance of the UAV, SKT has optimized the structural design of the module several times, and the module now measures only 128 x 83 x 45mm and weighs only 351g.
Image Source: Sourced from the Internet
SKT has now completed the production and validation of the prototype and is conducting interactive operational tests in order to follow up with a full system demonstration. The prototype module has been exhibited at the Multi-Government Agency Supported R&D Achievement Pavilion at the Unmanned Systems World Congress 2024 at COEX.
SKT plans to collaborate with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KARI) and the Korea Aerospace Exploration Agency (KARI) until 2025 to further develop the integrated testing and demonstration of an illegal UAS smart response system. Upon completion of the full-scale system demonstration, SKT plans to conduct pilot applications at critical national facilities such as nuclear power plants.
