Aerial Service Session Management for Cross-Slice Handover Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing session and service continuity for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) due to the dynamic nature of aerial vehicles, which require seamless connectivity across various network slices and access types, including 4G and 5G networks, to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of enhanced session management and network slicing features in 4G/5G systems, utilizing network functions such as AMF, SMF, UPF, and PCF, to manage registration, connection, and QoS for UAS, ensuring robust connectivity and service continuity through network slicing and edge computing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional session management is used for aerial vehicles, then device complexity is reduced, but service continuity and reliability deteriorate due to dynamic mobility and handover failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsession management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments session management into multiple specialized network functions (AMF for access management, SMF for session management, UPF for user plane, PCF for policy control) to handle different aspects of aerial vehicle connectivity independently, improving reliability through distributed functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated Session Management Function (SMF) as an intermediary between the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the User Plane Function (UPF), coordinating handovers and session transitions to maintain service continuity during aerial vehicle mobility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is implemented for UAS, then adaptability and service customization are improved, but device complexity and network configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork slice adaptabilityVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements network slicing where a single physical network infrastructure supports multiple virtual network slices (e.g., Slice A for control signals, Slice B for video streams) with different QoS parameters, enabling one network to serve multiple UAS applications simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of network slice parameters (bandwidth, latency, priority) through the Policy Control Function (PCF) based on UAS requirements, allowing the same physical network to adapt to different service needs without hardware changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If seamless handover between access types is enabled, then service continuity is improved, but loss of time for handover processing and network resource coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover continuityVSAvoidhandover processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes session context and network resource reservations in advance during the registration phase, so that when handover is needed, the SMF can quickly activate pre-configured resources without extensive real-time negotiation, reducing handover latency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4032334B1Session management for aerial system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 OFINNO LLC
  • EP4032334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4032334B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4032334B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobility management function receives, from a wireless device, a registration request message for the wireless device. The mobility management function determines authentication and/or authorization (AA) of an aerial service of the wireless device. The mobility management function receives, from the wireless device, a request for a session establishment of the aerial service. The mobility management function sends, to a session management function (SMF), based on the request for the session establishment, an indication of the AA of the aerial service of the wireless device.