Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• The low-altitude economy is projected to become a trillion-dollar market within a decade, driving new quality productive forces and strategic emerging industries. • Infrastructure for low-altitude operations requires integration of communication, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and digital airspace systems, underpinned by 6G, satellite, AI, and digital twin technologies. • The paper identifies four core technology pillars: overall system architecture, information infrastructure, digital airspace and operational management, and security infrastructure. • A special feature in FITEE, led by Prof. Zhijie Chen, aims to accelerate research and engineering innovation in low-altitude economy infrastructure.
Abstract
The market of low-altitude economy has the potential to reach trillion dollars in 10 years globally. In China, it serves as a hallmark of national strategic emerging industries, and represents new quality productive forces. Exploring innovative engineering and technologies for low-altitude economy infrastructure is expected to promote sustainable growth in this sector. The scope of the low-altitude economy spans from the ground to the air, with its infrastructure encompassing various aspects such as communication, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and operations. In the future, it is expected to be characterized by “interoperability, intelligent interconnectivity, as well as safety and efficiency.” The integration of sixth-generation wireless communication (6G) networks, satellite-based Internet, satellite-based remote sensing, low-altitude micro-meteorology, advanced surveillance systems, and large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) models will significantly enhance the capabilities of low-altitude economy infrastructure, serving as a pivotal driver for its high-quality development. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable progress in novel infrastructure technologies for low-altitude economy. However, fundamental theory deserves more attention, especially breakthroughs in core technological R&D, and technical implementations still face multifaceted challenges.
1. Introduction
The market of low-altitude economy has the potential to reach trillion dollars in 10 years globally. In China, it serves as a hallmark of national strategic emerging industries, and represents new quality productive forces. Exploring innovative engineering and technologies for low-altitude economy infrastructure is expected to promote sustainable growth in this sector. The scope of the low-altitude economy spans from the ground to the air, with its infrastructure encompassing various aspects such as communication, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and operations. In the future, it is expected to be characterized by “interoperability, intelligent interconnectivity, as well as safety and efficiency.” The integration of sixth-generation wireless communication (6G) networks, satellite-based Internet, satellite-based remote sensing, low-altitude micro-meteorology, advanced surveillance systems, and large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) models will significantly enhance the capabilities of low-altitude economy infrastructure, serving as a pivotal driver for its high-quality development.
Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in novel infrastructure technologies for low-altitude economy. However, fundamental theory deserves more attention, especially breakthroughs in core technological R&D, and technical implementations still face multifaceted challenges. To promote intensive collaboration between academia and industry, and to accelerate fundamental research, key technologies, and practical engineering applications for low-altitude economy infrastructure, Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering (FITEE), a journal of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has invited Prof. Zhijie Chen to lead a special feature on “Engineering and Technology for Low-Altitude Economy Infrastructure.” This special feature solicited contributions focusing on key areas such as overall system architecture design, information sensing, intelligent operations, and safety assurance.
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Zhijie Chen, Heung-Yeung Shum, Xianbin Cao, Mark Hansen (2025). Engineering and technology for low-altitude economy infrastructure. Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE_2530000
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the low-altitude economy?
The low-altitude economy refers to economic activities conducted in the low-altitude airspace (typically below 1000 meters), encompassing sectors such as drone logistics, urban air mobility, aerial inspection, and emergency response. It requires integrated infrastructure for communication, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and operations.
What are the key infrastructure technologies for low-altitude economy?
Key technologies include communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS), meteorological observation, digital airspace management, digital twins, and AI-driven traffic control. Integration of 6G, satellite Internet, and remote sensing enhances system capabilities.
How does 6G contribute to low-altitude infrastructure?
6G networks offer high-speed, low-latency, and reliable communication that is essential for real-time control, data transmission, and connectivity across the low-altitude airspace, enabling safe and efficient operations.
Why is a special feature on low-altitude economy infrastructure being organized?
The special feature in Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering (FITEE) aims to accelerate fundamental research, key technologies, and engineering applications by promoting collaboration between academia and industry.
What are the main challenges for low-altitude infrastructure development?
Despite progress, challenges remain in core technological R&D, theoretical foundations, and technical implementations, particularly in ensuring safety, efficiency, and interoperability across diverse systems.
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