Abstract
This thesis investigates a drone-based approach to analyze the quality of a mobile radiosystem in three-dimensional space. The work aims to evaluate the performance of 4G
cellular networks at different altitudes using parameters such as signal strength, reception quality, handover or connected cells. It also analyzes the throughput by sending
test data in both upload and download directions. The work provides insight into the
development of an autonomous drone flight control system and highlights the technical
challenges and limitations of a drone-based approach to cellular network assessment.
The implementation involves measuring network parameters using an unmanned
aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a cellular phone that enables autonomous flights
along predefined paths at different altitudes. This helps to understand network performance in the air and how to optimize cellular networks for devices such as package
delivery drones.
The results indicate that as altitude increases, the phone connects to more distant
cell towers. In addition, signal strength decreases with altitude, while the signal quality
remains much more stable. Upload rates seem to increase with higher altitude, while
download rates decrease constantly. The data also shows that the drone-based approach
is a valid method for evaluating network performance and could be used to gain valuable
insights into mobile networks.
| Date of Award | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English (American) |
| Supervisor | Gerald Ostermayer (Supervisor) |