Airbus’ digital transformation is taking another leap forward with the introduction of a private 5G communications network. Rolling out initially in France, the high-speed network will bring about major changes to the way the airline designs and manufactures its products.
Smartphones and tablets are becoming more and more prevalent throughout Airbus factories and production facilities. Photos and other visual assets, already ubiquitous, are becoming more important. The amount of information being sent to and from aircraft is growing exponentially.
Airbus’ aim is to pioneer sustainable aeronautics and space for a safe, united and data-driven world. Every day, employees generate, transmit and use vast amounts of data, and the digitalization of this activity requires a robust, highly efficient and secure IT infrastructure. That’s why Airbus has led the way by developing its own 5G network, which guarantees the company’s independence from public networks and provides increased protection against cyber threats.
5G (5th generation mobile networks) is an improvement of the services, applications and functions (voice calls, text messages, Internet connection, etc.) developed in the previous generation. 5G can achieve a throughput of up to 1.4 gigabytes per second, which is four times faster than the current Airbus WiFi. This network will provide new services, faster speeds and higher capacity. Much larger amounts of data can be exchanged without network congestion.
Specific Frequency
Certain precautions had to be taken when rolling out the network: there couldn’t be any interference with aircraft in flight, and Airbus’ network uses specific frequencies to avoid covering runways and other areas where aircraft maneuver.
Human health also had to be taken into consideration: an external audit carried out by industrial safety experts confirmed that the network’s microwave emissions complied with French and European regulations.
Real-time data entry at the final assembly line
5G signals provide uninterrupted connectivity wherever the network is used, even in areas where coverage was previously incomplete or nonexistent. Airbus operators can use compatible tablets or smartphones in any connected industrial facility, and this seamless connectivity increases efficiency and productivity. All outdoor and densely packed, complex areas of the A350 final assembly line in Toulouse are now connected to the network. Operators can instantly enter machine data into their mobile devices, whereas previously they had to return to their work stations, sometimes hundreds of meters away, to manually record the information.
Private 5G will also support autonomous vehicles, such as the robots transporting aircraft sections between stations at Airbus Atlantic’s Montoire de Bretagne factory, or those unloading tools and assembly kits at the A321 final assembly line in Toulouse-Lagardère. The network also has the key benefit of secure communications for security teams and firefighters on site.
Airbus’ private 5G network is being rolled out across Airbus’ commercial aircraft production sites. It is already operational at the final assembly lines in Montoire de Bretagne and Toulouse (France), with full rollout in Hamburg, Stade, Bremen (Germany), Broughton (UK) and Getafe (Spain) due to occur in 2025. Airbus Tianjin (China) and Mobile (USA) sites will follow soon. Pilot deployments are being prepared at Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space. All the company’s industrial sites are gearing up for a transformative 5G rollout that demonstrates Airbus’ commitment to innovation and progress.
