Airborne Network Slice Allocation for Reliable Cellular Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airborne user equipment (UE) faces challenges in maintaining stable and reliable connectivity with terrestrial networks due to weaker signals and limited coverage at higher altitudes, leading to diminished service quality and capacity issues, especially for data-intensive applications.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic network slicing is employed to allocate dedicated network slices to airborne UEs, enabling tailored services such as prioritizing low-latency connections and allocating enhanced resources based on the UE's altitude and service needs, with a multi-tier subscription model for optimized connectivity and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If airborne UE connects to terrestrial networks using conventional network slicing, then basic service coverage is maintained, but service quality and reliability deteriorate due to weaker signals and limited coverage at higher altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple dedicated slices: a first network slice for airborne UEs with optimized parameters for high-altitude communication, and a second network slice for terrestrial UEs. This segmentation allows the airborne slice to be specifically tuned for weaker signal conditions, improving reliability without affecting terrestrial services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by configuring the first network slice with specific quality parameters optimized for airborne conditions, such as adjusted modulation schemes, power control parameters, and resource allocation strategies tailored to high-altitude signal characteristics, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
2Reliability
If dedicated network slices are allocated to airborne UEs, then service availability and connectivity reliability improve, but network complexity and resource allocation overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slice allocation where the network determines when a UE is airborne and automatically assigns the first network slice accordingly. The allocation is not static but adapts to the UE's operational state, reducing unnecessary complexity when airborne conditions do not exist while maintaining reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The first network slice is designed to serve multiple airborne UEs simultaneously with a standardized configuration, making it a universal solution for all airborne connections rather than creating individualized slices for each UE, thereby reducing overall network complexity.
3Productivity
If enhanced resources are allocated to airborne UEs for data-intensive applications, then productivity and service capacity improve, but energy consumption and network resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key communication parameters in the first network slice specifically for airborne UEs, such as adjusting modulation and coding schemes, power control thresholds, and resource block allocation patterns to match the propagation characteristics at higher altitudes, improving service capacity without excessive resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by allocating enhanced resources only when and where needed for airborne UEs experiencing signal degradation, rather than continuously over-provisioning all airborne connections, thus balancing productivity improvement with energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for allocating different network slices to airborne frequency bands. More particularly, in aspects set forth herein, systems and methods are directed to a network slicing paradigm that could be used to enable the provision of service to UEs in the air. By creating virtual partitions in the network, network slicing allows mobile operators to customize treatment for specific traffic flows or applications, including those from airborne UEs. This enables tailored services, such as prioritizing low-latency connections for critical flight communications or allocating enhanced resources for data-intensive applications, thereby optimizing connectivity and performance for airborne UEs.