Unmanned aerial vehicle system for telecommunications

Abstract

There is provided an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system and method for telecommunications. The UAV system is configured to provide an access point of a network for at least one User Equipment. The UAV system may be further configured to interface with the network via a base station of a non-terrestrial network. Additionally or alternatively, the UAV system may comprise a plurality of antennas configured to cooperate.

Description

16975508. GPK.JCJ- 1 -UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SYSTEM FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to systems for telecommunications comprising both non-terrestrial networks and cellular communications networks.BACKGROUND

[0002] In rural areas, the number of terrestrial cells deployed in a cellular network is typically lower than in urban areas. This may be because the deployment of traditional network infrastructure (such as a base station comprising an antenna tower) is difficult or not permitted. It may also be because the local environment (for example, the presence of tall trees) reduces the effectiveness of traditional network infrastructure. As a result, User Equipments (UEs, for example, cellular telephones) operating in such areas may report that they are out of coverage of the cellular network, or they may have poor or intermittent signal.

[0003] To improve coverage in such areas it may be preferable to provide an air base station. Such an air base station may be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or ‘drone’ comprising the equipment necessary to provide a cellular network or a cell of a cellular network. In order to provide backhaul connectivity the air base station may connect to the wider cellular network. However, the same signal problems described above may also apply to the air base station. As such, it may be preferable for the air base station to use a nonterrestrial network or satellite network as a backhaul.

[0004] Such air base stations are typically implemented on UAVs and so are physically small. This means that it may be difficult to mount multiple antennas on an air base station without the signals interfering with one another. However, multiple antennas can improve network performance, for example bandwidth or throughput.

[0005] As such it may be preferable to provide an air base station comprising multiple UAVs or comprising a larger platform lifted by UAVs, thus allowing multiple antennas to be used. This may have the additional advantage of increasing the spatial diversity of the antennas, which can further improve network performance.16975508. GPK.JCJ- 2 -SUMMARY

[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for telecommunications. The system comprises one or more UAVs. The one or more UAVs are configured to provide an access point of a network for at least one User Equipment (UE). The one or more UAVs may be configured to interface with the network via a base station of a non-terrestrial network. The one or more UAVs may comprise a plurality of antennas configured to cooperate.

[0007] The base station of the non-terrestrial network may accessed via a satellite.

[0008] The one or more UAVs may be configured to provide an access point of a cellular communications network.

[0009] The one or more UAVs may comprise or be a plurality of UAVs. The one or more UAVs may comprise a platform lifted by at least one of the one or more UAVs. For example, the one or more UAVs may comprise a platform lifted by two or more of the one or more UAVs, three or more of the one or more UAVs, and so on.

[0010] The plurality of antennas may be distributed between the plurality of UAVs. The plurality of antennas may be distributed over the platform. The plurality of antennas may be distributed between the platform and at least one other of the plurality of UAVs.

[0011] The plurality of antennas may be configured to cooperate via a wired connection. The plurality of antennas may be configured to cooperate via a wireless connection. The plurality of antennas may be configured to cooperate for communication diversity and / or multiplexing.

[0012] A second aspect of the invention provides a method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for telecommunications. The method comprises configuring the one or more UAVs to provide an access point of a network for at least one User Equipment (UE). The method may comprise configuring the one or more UAVs to interface with the network via a non-terrestrial base station. The method may comprise configuring a plurality of antennas to cooperate, wherein the one or more UAVs comprise the plurality of antennas.16975508. GPK.JCJ- 3 -

[0013] The method may comprise the non-terrestrial base station being a satellite.

[0014] Configuring the one or more UAVs to provide an access point of a network may comprise configuring the one or more UAVs to provide an access point of a cellular communications network.

[0015] Configuring the plurality of antennas to cooperate may comprise configuring the plurality of antennas to cooperate via a wired connection. The plurality of antennas configured to cooperate may be configured to cooperate via a wireless connection.

[0016] The plurality of antennas configured to cooperate may be configured to cooperate for communication diversity and / or multiplexing.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary telecommunications system.

[0018] Fig. 2 shows another exemplary telecommunications system.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows yet another exemplary telecommunications system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a telecommunications system 100 comprising a satellite 110, an air base station 120, a User Equipment (UE) 130. The air base station 120 may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or ‘drone’ 122. The UAV 122 may have mounted on it a non-terrestrial communications aerial or antenna 121 and a cellular communications aerial or antenna 123. The system 100 may further comprise an access point device 125 and / or a UAV controller 126.

[0021] The satellite may be in a low Earth orbit, a medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, or in a high elliptical orbit. The satellite may alternatively be in any other orbit suitable for providing a non-terrestrial or satellite communications link.16975508. GPK.JCJ- 4 -

[0022] Although a single satellite 110 is depicted, it is contemplated herein that there may be one, two, three, or more satellites. It is further contemplated that the satellites may operate together or individually to provide a non-terrestrial network service accessible from the Earth.

[0023] The access point device 125 may be located on the UAV 122. Alternatively, the access point device 125 may be located away from the UAV 122. The access point device 125 may communicate with the non-terrestrial communications aerial or antenna 121.Additionally or alternatively, the access point device 125 may communicate with the cellular communications aerial or antenna 123. The communication may be by a wired and / or a wireless communication channel. The UAV controller 126 may be located on the UAV 122. Alternatively, the UAV controller 126 may be located away from the UAV 122. The UAV controller 126 may communicate with the UAV 122 by a wired and / or a wireless communication channel.

[0024] The UE 130 may be a UE suitable for use in a cellular communications network. Although a single UE 130 is depicted, it is contemplated herein that they may be one, two, there, or more UEs.

[0025] The air base station 120 may provide an access point for a network. The network may be a cellular network. The access point may be for a cell of a cellular network. The air base station 120 may use the cellular communications aerial or antenna 123 for this purpose. The UE 130 may connect to that access point.

[0026] In order to provide wider connectivity, the network provided by the air base station 120 uses a backhaul connection. This backhaul connection may provided by another cellular network. However, the backhaul connection may preferably be provided by a nonterrestrial network, such as the non-terrestrial network provided by the satellite or satellites 110. The air base station 120 may communicate with the satellite 110 by means of the nonterrestrial communications aerial or antenna 121.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a telecommunications system 200 comprising a satellite 210, air base stations 220A, 220B, and 220C, and a UE 230. Each air base station 220 may comprise an UAV or ‘drone’ 222. Each UAV 222 may have mounted on it a non-terrestrial16975508. GPK.JCJ- 5 - communications aerial or antenna 221 and a cellular communications aerial or antenna 223.The system 200 may further comprise one or more access point devices 225 and / or a UAV controller 226.

[0028] As in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the satellite 210 may be in a low Earth orbit, a medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, or in a high elliptical orbit. The satellite 210 may alternatively be in any other orbit suitable for providing a non-terrestrial or satellite communications link. Although a single satellite 210 is depicted, it is contemplated herein that there may be one, two, three, or more satellites. It is further contemplated that the satellites may operate together or individually to provide a non-terrestrial network service accessible from the Earth. The UE 230 may be a UE suitable for use in a cellular communications network. Although a single UE 230 is depicted, it is contemplated herein that they may be one, two, three, or more UEs.

[0029] Although three air base stations 220A, 220B, and 220C are depicted in Fig. 2, it is contemplated herein that there may be two, three, four, or any number of air base stations. Although a single access point device 225 is shown, it is contemplated herein that there may be one, two, three, or more access point devices. There may be one access point device 225 per air base station 220. The access point devices may be located on the air base stations. Alternatively, the access point devices may be located away from the air base stations.

[0030] The access point devices 225 may communicate with the non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 221. Additionally or alternatively, the access point devices 225 may communicate with the cellular communications aerials or antennas 223. The communication may be by a wired and / or a wireless communication channel. The UAV controller 226 may be located on one of the air base stations 220. Alternatively, the UAV controller 226 may be located away from the air base stations 220. The UAV controller 226 may communicate with the UAVs 222 by a wired and / or a wireless communication channel.

[0031] The air base stations 220A, 220B, and 220C are connected together by communication channels 224A and 224B. These communication channels 224 may each comprise a wireless or a wired communication channel. The communication channels 224 may connect the non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 221 of each air base station 220. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channels 224 may connect the16975508. GPK.JCJ- 6 - cellular communications aerials or antennas 223 of each air base station 220. Furthermore, the communication channels 224 may connect any other aspect of the air base stations 220 to one another.

[0032] As depicted, air base station 220A is connected to air base station 220B by communications channel 224A and air base station 220B is connected to air base station 220C by communications channel 224A. However, it is also contemplated herein that each air base station is connected to every other base station by a communication channel. This may be the case no matter how many air base stations the telecommunications system is comprised of.

[0033] The communication channels 224 may allow the non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 221 of each air base station 220 to operate together as a single nonterrestrial communications antenna array. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channels 224 may allow the cellular communications aerials or antennas 223 of each air base station 220 to operate together as a single cellular communications antenna array. In this way, an array may be formed despite the size of the UAVs 222 limiting the number of aerials or antennas which can be placed on each air base station.

[0034] Using the cellular communications aerials or antennas 223, each of the air base stations 220 may provide an access point for a network. Additionally or alternatively, the air base stations may together provide a single access point for a network. The network may be a cellular network or a cell of a cellular network. If a single access point is provided it may be preferable for the cellular communications aerials or antennas 223 of each air base station 220 to operate together as a single cellular communications antenna array.

[0035] In order to provide wider connectivity, the network provided by each air base station 220 uses a backhaul connection. This backhaul connection may provided by another cellular network. However, the backhaul connection may preferably be provided by a nonterrestrial network, such as the non-terrestrial network provided by the satellite or satellites 210. Each air base station 220 may communicate with the satellite 210 by means of the nonterrestrial communications aerial or antenna 221. If a single access point is provided it may be preferable for the non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 223 of each air base16975508. GPK.JCJ- 7 - station 220 to operate together as a single non-terrestrial communications antenna array and to provide a single backhaul connection.

[0036] Using multiple aerials or antennas operating together as a single antenna array allows the telecommunications system to make use of a multiplexing scheme and / or an antenna diversity scheme. For example, the system may implement spatial multiplexing or a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) scheme. Additionally or alternatively, the system may implement a spatial diversity scheme, a patten diversity scheme, a polarisation diversity scheme, and / or a transmit-receive diversity scheme. Implementation of a multiplexing scheme and / or an antenna diversity scheme can improve network performance. For example, implementation of an antenna diversity scheme can improve the quality and / or reliability of a wireless connection to the network. This applies to transmission and / or reception. This applies to non-terrestrial communications and / or to cellular communications.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a telecommunications system 300 comprising a satellite 310, an air base station 320, and a UE 330. The air base station 320 may comprise one or more nonterrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321, one or more UAVs 322, one or more cellular communications aerials or antennas 323, and a platform 324. The system 300 may further comprise an access point device 325 and / or a UAV controller 326.

[0038] As in the embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, the satellite 310 may be in a low Earth orbit, a medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, or in a high elliptical orbit. The satellite 310 may alternatively be in any other orbit suitable for providing a non-terrestrial or satellite communications link. Although a single satellite 310 is depicted, it is contemplated herein that there may be one, two, three, or more satellites. It is further contemplated that the satellites may operate together or individually to provide a non-terrestrial network service accessible from the Earth. The UE 330 may be a UE suitable for use in a cellular communications network. Although a single UE 330 is depicted, it is contemplated herein that they may be one, two, three, or more UEs.

[0039] The access point device 325 may be located on the air base station 320. Alternatively, the access point device 325 may be located away from the air base station 320. The access point device 325 may communicate with the non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321. Additionally or alternatively, the access point device 325 may16975508. GPK.JCJ- 8 - communicate with the cellular communications aerials or antennas 323. The communication may be by a wired and / or a wireless communication channel. The UAV controller 326 may be located on the air base station 320. Alternatively, the UAV controller 326 may be located away from the air base station 320. The UAV controller 326 may communicate with the UAVs 322 by a wired and / or a wireless communication channel.

[0040] Although three non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321A, 321B, and 321C are depicted in Fig. 3, it is contemplated herein that the air base station 320 may comprise one, two, three, or any number of non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas. Although three cellular communications aerials or antennas 323 A, 323B, and 323C are depicted in Fig. 3, it is contemplated herein that the air base station may comprise one, two, three, or any number of cellular communications aerials or antennas.

[0041] The use of a platform 324 allows for the air base station 320 to be physically larger than if it were composed of a single UAV (as with air base stations 120 or 220). Thus, multiple non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321 and / or multiple cellular communications aerials or antennas 323 may be mounted on the one air base station 320.

[0042] The non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321 may be connected to one another by communication channels. The cellular communications aerials or antennas 323 may be connected to one another by communication channels. The communication channels may comprise wireless or wired communication channels.

[0043] The communication channels may allow the non-terrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321 of each air base station 320 to operate together as a single nonterrestrial communications antenna array. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channels may allow the cellular communications aerials or antennas 323 of each air base station 320 to operate together as a single cellular communications antenna array.

[0044] Using the cellular communications aerials or antennas 323, the air base station 320 may provide an access point for a network. The network may be a cellular network or a cell of a cellular network. Preferably, the cellular communications aerials or antennas 323 of the air base station 320 operate together as a single cellular communications antenna array.16975508. GPK.JCJ- 9 -

[0045] In order to provide wider connectivity, the network provided by the air base station 320 uses a backhaul connection. This backhaul connection may provided by another cellular network. However, the backhaul connection may preferably be provided by a nonterrestrial network, such as the non-terrestrial network provided by the satellite or satellites 310. The air base station 320 may communicate with the satellite 310 by means of the nonterrestrial communications aerials or antennas 321. It may be preferable for the nonterrestrial communications aerials or antennas 323 of the air base station 320 to operate together as a single non-terrestrial communications antenna array and to provide a single backhaul connection.

[0046] Using multiple aerials or antennas operating together as a single antenna array allows the telecommunications system to make use of a multiplexing scheme and / or an antenna diversity scheme. For example, the system may implement spatial multiplexing or a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) scheme. Additionally or alternatively, the system may implement a spatial diversity scheme, a patten diversity scheme, a polarisation diversity scheme, and / or a transmit-receive diversity scheme. Implementation of a multiplexing scheme and / or an antenna diversity scheme can improve network performance. For example, implementation of an antenna diversity scheme can improve the quality and / or reliability of a wireless connection to the network. This applies to transmission and / or reception. This applies to non-terrestrial communications and / or to cellular communications.

[0047] Although ‘satellites’ are referred to throughout, it is also contemplated herein that a high-altitude platform or other base station of a non-terrestrial network could be used to provide a connection to a backhaul network.

[0048] Although ‘ access point’ is used throughout, it would be understood by the skilled person that this does not limit the invention to the usage of wireless local area networks (wireless LAN or WLAN) but also encompasses any device used for access to a network or any device which provides a connection to a network. In particular, ‘access point’ includes base stations of a cellular network.

[0049] A number of combinations of the various described embodiments could be envisaged by the skilled person. All of the features disclosed herein may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are16975508. GPK.JCJ- 10 - mutually exclusive. In particular, the preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination. Likewise, features described in non-essential combinations may be used separately (not in combination).

[0050] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0051] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, and / or ‘including’ when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0053] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.

[0054] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and16975508. GPK.JCJ- 11 - descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

16975508. GPK.JCJ- 12 -CLAIMS1. An unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, system for telecommunications, the system comprising one or more UAVs, wherein: the UAV system is configured to provide an access point of a network for at least one User Equipment, UE; and the UAV system is configured to interface with the network via a base station of a non-terrestrial network and / or the UAV system comprises a plurality of antennas configured to cooperate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station of the non-terrestrial network is accessed via a satellite.

3. The system of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the UAV system is configured to provide an access point of a cellular communications network.

4. The system of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more UAVs comprise a plurality of UAVs and the plurality of antennas are distributed between the plurality of UAVs.

5. The system of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the UAV system further comprises a platform lifted by at least one of the one or more UAVs and the plurality of antennas are distributed over the platform.

6. The system of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the UAV system comprises: a plurality of UAVs; and a platform lifted by at least one of the plurality of UAVs, wherein the plurality of antennas are distributed between the platform and at least one of the plurality of UAVs.

7. The system of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of antennas are configured to cooperate via a wired and / or a wireless connection.16975508. GPK.JCJ- 13 -8. The system of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of antennas are configured to cooperate for communication diversity and / or multiplexing.

9. The system of any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an access point device, configured to interface with the plurality of antennas.

10. The system of any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a UAV controller, configured to control positioning of the one or more UAVs.

11. A method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, system for telecommunications, the method comprising: configuring an access point of a network mounted on one or more UAVs to provide access to the network for at least one User Equipment, UE; and interfacing the access point with the network via a base station of a nonterrestrial network and / or wherein the access point comprises a plurality of antennas configured to cooperate.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the access point is of a cellular communications network.

13. The method of any of claims 11 to 12, wherein the plurality of antennas cooperate via a wired and / or a wireless connection.

14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the plurality of antennas configured to cooperate are configured to cooperate for communication diversity and / or multiplexing.

15. The method of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein one of: the one or more UAVs comprise a plurality of UAVs and the plurality of antennas are distributed between the plurality of UAVs; the UAV system further comprises a platform lifted by at least one of the one or more UAVs and the plurality of antennas are distributed over the platform; and16975508. GPK.JCJ- 14 - the UAV system further comprises a platform lifted by at least one of the one or more UAVs and the plurality of antennas are distributed over the platform and the one or more UAVs.

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