Eyes in the sky: Using drones to provide cost-effective site auditing

In the ongoing rush to provide comprehensive maintenance and increase loading on telecoms towers, new innovative technologies are appearing that can streamline the process. We spoke with Tom Caska, CEO of Aerolens to learn about their state-of-the art UAVs and modelling applications that are already being used for rapid and efficient tower audits and valuations.

TowerXchange: Please introduce us to your company and tell us about your background.

Aerolens was founded two years ago, and we’ve developed UAV’s that can create an accurate 3D model of large buildings or structures including telecoms towers, and then use the models to provide detailed data on the subject via our platform. Our current solution was created after a fifteen month R&D program to create a proof of concept at commercial level. The company was founded in Australia and we currently have some operations in the U.S. I have a background in aviation and was a pilot with Qantas, and also a project manager in fleet and technical development at management level.

TowerXchange: Tell us about your solution and some of its applications in the field.

Our solution is the product of recent breakthroughs in 3D modelling applications combined with commercial UAV’s with high grade GPS units on board. They can provide very precise 3D models, digital twins, which deliver predictive site analytics that can support maintenance and network operations. We can model an asset over time enabling clients to look at different 3D models over a twelve month period; this can provide data on things like changes in dish location, how often they move, and share some insight into why they’re moving. This is especially valuable for companies that do frequent valuations of their assets as they can get accurate measurements from the models which help with the auditing process. Our first success stories are in different industries including telecommunications and mining, but we can model any structure accurately. We recently created a 3D model of a large stadium in Australia with 52,500 seats.

We have worked with a few large telcos in Australia and have significant interest in America.

Typically a towerco or MNO will start by modelling a segment of their assets, but ideally whole portfolios can be digitised and they can deliver very powerful analytics over time. Some telecoms companies in the U.S. are trying to do this but it is a complex process.

TowerXchange: What’s the turnaround time for creating a model?

Depending on the location of the asset, we can survey with a drone and turn around the model in around three days using a powerful computer to perform all of the complex calculations; a typical finished 3D model is around 12 gigabytes. If we use cloud computing and add additional engines this can be reduced to as little as twenty four hours. This increases the cost, but is useful in time-sensitive situations. The models can be extremely valuable after significant weather events, like the cyclones we get in APAC. After a storm we can go and perform an audit and get a report straight back to evaluate any damage. The level of detail can also be adjusted by the use of ground-based control points and laser trigonometry; to capture everything down to individual wires we use LIDAR or laser radar.

Towerxchange: How is your solution changing based on experience gained in the field and new technologies?

We have a couple of new capabilities that we’re integrating in the near future. We’re planning on providing aerodynamic analysis and create a sail area of the model which can be back engineered in a wind tunnel. Data from this modelling can help determine how to increase the number of assets on a tower. This is helpful when a client has 1,000 assets but isn’t sure about the capacity of each of them. Clients have used our 3D models to redesign their structures in CAD and carry out virtual load testing. The detailed digital representation of the asset means all of this data can be gathered without a time and labour intensive survey, and the design team can have it at their fingertips. The models can be used for maintenance and optimisation, but they’re also a valuable tool for companies that want a detailed and cost effective valuation of assets before they buy them. We’re also looking at adding the engineering model into CAD; clients can do so much with it and this model could interact with all the other RMS sensor data to connect the dots with IoT and create an even more comprehensive dataset.

Another tool we’re looking at integrating is the ability to measure electromagnetic emissions from the towers and ensure that they’re compliant with government regulations. In Australia the government tracks this closely and our clients need to be aware. Finally, we’re also looking at adding an asset catalogue to tag assets and components over time in a cloud-based system.

TowerXchange: How does the client interface with the 3D models work?

We can host them externally over Azzurri or Amazon Cloud, but next year we will have a whole package including a cloud-based interface that clients subscribe to to access their 3D models. We’re are currently working with our software partners SiteSee and Bentley Systems to find the best solution.

TowerXchange: What are your plans for future growth?

In addition to our presence in Australia and the U.S. we’re looking at new markets, especially large telecoms markets and we’re prepared to expand rapidly in different regions. Currently we’re the only company with a license to operate UAVs in the U.S. and Australia. We’re also considering setting up a presence in Hong Kong or Singapore.

We also look forward to developing our relationship with Bentley Systems and SiteSee to be able to offer an unbeatable turn-key solution to the telecom tower industry (and beyond).