Purdue, Saab and Ericsson partner to bring private 5G network to Purdue airport

Mung Chiang, president of Purdue University, speaks to an audience about Purdue University's new partnership with Ericsson and Saab to bring a private 5G network to Purdue's airport, on Monday, March 20, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind.
Mung Chiang, president of Purdue University, speaks to an audience about Purdue University's new partnership with Ericsson and Saab to bring a private 5G network to Purdue's airport, on Monday, March 20, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. − A partnership between Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation with Ericsson and Saab has just been announced; a private 5G network is coming to Purdue's airport.

Purdue, Saab and Ericsson partnership

A private 5G allows for the secure connectivity that airports need between their many areas such as terminals, airfields, cargo areas, etc.

According to wireless technologies and services company, Senza Fili, a private 5G network can provide "tracking (for) assets and goods, biometrics, security and safety, baggage tracking, check-in and boarded (uses)."

"We're very proud that this airport is part of the (Purdue Discovery Park District) neighborhood (which is) now the prime spot of the Private 5G Innovation Solution Deployment (program)," Mung Chiang, Purdue University president said Monday morning.

This new innovation stems from a three-way partnership between the university, Ericsson — a leading provider of information and communication technology to service providers, according to its description — and Swedish airplane company Saab.

"We are so glad to see Ericsson and Saab working together," Chiang said. "(They are) the two leading companies headquartered in Sweden changing the world in everything they choose to do. They do not need Purdue to come together. But they are both outstanding Swedish companies with long, proud (histories) of innovation.

"But if and when ... our university ... can play a small role in bringing two outstanding companies together with complimentary skill sets — in wireless and 5G in one hand and airport management, security and operation on the other hand — then we are beyond being honored and delighted (to do so)."

Benefits of private 5G networks for airports

Adam Baxmeyer, Purdue University's airport manager, Mung Chiang, president of Purdue University, Troy Hege, vice president of innovation and technology at Purdue University's Research Foundation, Keren Ronan, director of alliances and business development at Ericsson, and Robert Ulibarri, vice president and general manager of Saab, pose for a photo after Purdue University announced its new partnership with Ericsson and Saab to bring a private 5G network to Purdue's airport, on Monday, March 20, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind.

Robert Ulibarri, vice president and general manager for Saab, spoke further about the benefits of bringing a private 5G network to Purdue's campus.

"We're very excited for this next open innovation platform that we're announcing today," Ulibarri said. "This private 5G network and platform is intended to showcase how state-of-the-art airport systems can work with 5G technology to develop commercial solutions that can be replicated to improve operations and security at airports of all sizes."

Ulibarri said this new network will save time and resources for both operators and consumers of the Purdue airport — the second busiest airport in Indiana.

"For our part, Saab will invest our world-class and proven air traffic management solutions, such as Aerobahn, which is a platform that unlocks airport efficiency for airlines and ramp management," Ulibarri said. "As well as Saab's SAFE Event Management platform, a security platform used in airport operation centers.

"And we will deploy ADS-B sensors for real-time precision sharing situational awareness to track aircrafts. And these ... investments will improve land-side operations, safety and efficiency, as well as improve air-side security."

Ericsson's commentary

Keren Ronan, director of alliances and business development at Ericsson, speaks to an audience about Purdue University's new partnership with Ericsson and Saab to bring a private 5G network to Purdue's airport, on Monday, March 20, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind.
Keren Ronan, director of alliances and business development at Ericsson, speaks to an audience about Purdue University's new partnership with Ericsson and Saab to bring a private 5G network to Purdue's airport, on Monday, March 20, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind.

Keren Ronan, director of alliances and business development for Ericsson, spoke on behalf of the new partnership.

"We are giving the infrastructure for all of us consumers to be able to use cellular connectivity on our phones or any other devices we use to connect to cellular," Ronan said. "5G is the fifth generation of the cellular network. (It's) just a better, (stronger) more sophisticated network that allows much more sophisticated operations than what we need on our mobile phones."

Read more about the partnership between Purdue University, Saab and Ericsson at lab2life.org.

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Ericsson and Saab partner with Purdue to bring 5G to airport