Innovation project with funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
As part of the AEM-Speedport innovation project, a pioneering 5G orivate network is being created at Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport, which will strengthen the location technologically and lay the foundation for new digital applications. With support from the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which are providing extensive funding to the participating partners from industry and science, the airport is benefiting from a modern and powerful infrastructure. This investment will make it possible in the future to maneuver aircraft autonomously and without engine power. The project is thus making an important contribution to more sustainable, efficient, and safer airport operations.
Partnership and implementation
Together with Firecell, a specialist in 5G hardware, we won the tender for this pioneering project. While Firecell provided the necessary components for the private network, Lufthansa Industry Solutions supported the airport as a consulting partner in strategic planning and technological implementation. Through close cooperation between all parties involved, a network architecture was developed step by step that is precisely tailored to the requirements of airport operations. It combines scalability, redundancy, and future-proofing, thus forming the basis for numerous digital applications in the coming years.
Technical implementation
Our 5G team was responsible for the entire technical implementation and coordinated all work steps precisely. We planned the radio network, installed the antennas, laid fiber optic and power cables, and set up the server room with core and RAN technology. We worked with the utmost precision, especially in security-relevant areas, and coordinated closely with airport operations to ensure that ongoing operations were not disrupted at any time. The successful implementation under these challenging conditions demonstrates our technical expertise and experience in dealing with sensitive infrastructures.
Two locations – one shared infrastructure
The private network comprises two locations that together form the basis of the new 5G infrastructure and complement each other perfectly.
- R&D Site – Research and Development
In the immediate vicinity of an aircraft hangar, we assembled a specially manufactured boom from our own metal construction department. We then installed a 5G antenna in the 3.7 gigahertz range on top of it. This antenna will support future research and development projects and open up new possibilities for technological applications in the airport environment.
- Testing Site – Operation in the security area
The second location is in the airside area of the airport. There, we installed additional 5G antennas on an existing light pole to provide stable network coverage for the runway. The installation required close coordination with the responsible parties on site to ensure that all safety requirements were met and flight operations could continue without interruption.
Network technology and initial applications
Our specialists then installed the servers and switches for the core and RAN in the central server room, configured all network components, and connected the system via fiber optic and GPS connections. The result was a powerful and redundant network that meets the highest standards of stability, security, and availability.
After commissioning, we started the optimization and fine-tuning phase, during which we tested the first applications under real 5G conditions. One example of this is the AEM Speedport, an autonomous ground vehicle that independently moves aircraft from their parking positions. Thanks to the high data rate and low latency of the new network, control data, camera images, and position information can be transmitted in real time. This clearly demonstrates the practical added value that private 5G networks offer in operational use.
Significance for the future of critical infrastructure
With the 5G private network at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport, we are sending a clear signal for the further development of critical infrastructures together with our partners Firecell and Lufthansa Industry Solutions. The project clearly demonstrates how private 5G networks create the basis for networked processes, optimize workflows, and drive innovation in industry and aviation. Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport is thus becoming an example of how technology, research, and practice can successfully work together.
