As part of the AutoAir project, Millbrook Proving Ground has started deployment of 5G network at its UK facility to enable testing of advanced connected vehicles. A dense network of base stations will be installed around the test tracks to provide Gbps real-time connectivity and enable accurate location and connectivity trials at the site.
Peter Stoker, chief engineer for connected and autonomous vehicles at Millbrook, said, “The start of this network deployment sends a fantastic message to developers and innovators in the transport and automotive industries. The technology that will enable them to accelerate their programs is being made available, now. We are proud to be at the forefront of these developments. 5G, together with our advanced capabilities as part of the CAV testbed, will make a real difference in expediting thorough and above all, safe testing and validation.”
Paul Senior, chief strategy officer of Airspan Networks and CEO of Dense Air, said, “The design phase of the AutoAir project has been completed and we now turn our attention to physical deployment and implementation of testbeds at Millbrook and the University of Surrey. Breaking ground today at Millbrook was very exciting, and we can’t wait to test the Hyper-Dense 5G network we are building with connected and autonomous vehicles.”
In addition to traditional vehicle testing, Millbrook provides facilities for controlled and semi-controlled testing of ADAS and autonomous experiments. A digital model of its proving ground is also available to vehicle manufacturers and CAV developers to take full advantage of Millbrook’s facilities.
By Illya Verpraet