As anti-drone technology to counter illegal drones is developing worldwide, SKT has developed the first integrated communication and AI module to counter illegal drones in Korea.

SKT announced on the 18th that it has developed an integrated communication and AI module for an intelligent response system against illegal drones that threaten key national infrastructure such as nuclear power plants and airports. Currently, SKT has completed prototype production and verification and is conducting linkage tests for comprehensive verification of the system.

SKT will exhibit prototype modules at the multi-departmental R&D performance exhibition hall of the 'Unmanned Vehicle Industry Expo 2024' held at COEX until the 19th.

Since 2021, SKT has been participating in the 'Illegal Drone Intelligent Response Technology Development Project' hosted by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, developing modules for LTE communication and AI image analysis required for drone flight and mission execution.

SKT said, “We have gone through various research and development processes to develop the first module in Korea that integrates LTE communication, AI image analysis, and mission computer functions into a single device mounted on a drone.”

The newly developed DroneCop module connects drones and ground control systems to PS-LTE or commercial LTE networks, and transmits status and control messages. At the same time, it provides AI computing that analyzes images captured by cameras using deep learning algorithms and determines whether or not they are illegal drones.

Since there is no need to connect to a server, the time required for AI analysis at the edge can be minimized, allowing real-time video analysis. The module is mounted on a drone that responds to illegal drones, allowing the drone to act as a drone mission computer.

It is equipped with NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX. This is an embedded computing module equipped with a low-power, high-performance GPU core.

The illegal drone intelligent response system to which the module is applied detects illegal drones by utilizing radar, RF sniffer, electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) photographing equipment equipped on patrol drones when unidentified drones appear near important national facilities.

Based on this information, the dispatched response drones will neutralize illegal drones using various methods such as GNSS spoofing, jamming, and net guns.

In addition, SKT adopted a design that satisfies IP43 dustproof and waterproof standards so that the module can withstand external environments such as dust and water droplets while smoothly dissipating heat using the device's cooling fan.

In order to connect with the mission equipment mounted on the drone, a wide range of interfaces including USB and Ethernet were applied. An electromagnetic compatibility test was completed to ensure that no collisions occur between connected equipment.

SKT explained, “In order to secure the drone’s most important endurance time, we optimized the structural design several times and succeeded in miniaturizing and reducing its weight to 128 X 83 X 45mm and 351g.”

SKT plans to support integrated testing and verification of an intelligent response system for illegal drones in cooperation with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute until next year, and after verification, it plans to apply it as a pilot project to key national facilities such as nuclear power plants.

SKT Infra Biz Manager Ha Cheol-se said, “We plan to make continuous efforts to establish an effective response infrastructure based on communications and AI technologies, as illegal drones can cause fatal damage to key facilities or civilians.”