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Dortmund, Germany — The AMPLIFY research project has developed and tested a mobile, self-sufficient 5G multi-hop communications platform designed to extend broadband connectivity for German public safety authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS), including firefighters.
Supported through the Federal Agency for Public Safety Digital Radio (BDBOS) KoPa_45 funding programme, the project developed a functional system demonstrator capable of providing broadband data transmission in areas with no or limited communications coverage.
The AMPLIFY platform combines a stationary anchor network with a mobile relay node to extend coverage where existing communications infrastructure is insufficient. The project evaluated both ground-based and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based carrier platforms, allowing the relay solution to be adapted to different operational scenarios.
Project partners included Technische Universität Dortmund, Dortmund Fire Brigade and the German Rescue Robotics Center.
In a practical exercise, the project partners worked with emergency personnel from Dortmund Fire Brigade to locate a missing person in a supply tunnel without access to either the mobile phone network or Germany's BOS digital radio network.
Using a group communications solution developed within the project, emergency personnel transmitted voice and video through commercially available 5G smartphones over the network established by the AMPLIFY demonstrator.
The network also supported the remote operation of a ground robot used to explore the tunnel. Emergency personnel could control the robot remotely and receive image data from inside the underground environment.
The exercise concluded with the missing person being rescued quickly and safely, demonstrating the system's functionality under operational test conditions.
The AMPLIFY demonstrator was operated using the BDBOS development environment network, demonstrating cross-manufacturer functionality. The trials also identified technical, organisational and regulatory requirements that would need to be addressed before potential deployment within the BOS sector.
The results highlight the potential of mobile 5G relay platforms to support broadband communications in challenging environments where conventional network coverage is unavailable or restricted. The project also provides practical findings on the requirements for integrating such capabilities into public safety operations.
The BDBOS established the KoPa_45 funding programme in 2023 using funds allocated under Germany's economic stimulus package, Combating Corona Consequences, Securing Prosperity, Strengthening Future Viability.
The programme supported 26 research projects involving more than 50 partners, with total funding of €28.5 million. All projects are scheduled to be completed by autumn 2026 at the latest.
Through KoPa_45, BDBOS has supported research into innovations for the next generation of digital radio, including work addressing communications capabilities for public safety authorities and organisations with security responsibilities.
