Aircraft Network Access Using Predictive Ground Station Beam Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing network-based resources from an aircraft in next-generation wireless networks, such as 5G, is resource, power, and time intensive due to the difficulty in maintaining signal quality over varying distances and efficiently managing communication links.
Innovation Solution
A system of ground stations with antenna arrays that adjust transmission gain and activate/deactivate based on predicted aircraft paths, using probabilistic antenna beam mapping and weighting to maintain link quality and efficiently utilize power, while anticipating handovers between ground stations and beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground stations continuously transmit signals to maintain network connectivity for aircraft, then network access reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting aircraft paths in advance and proactively activating ground stations before aircraft arrive. This allows the system to maintain reliable connectivity without continuous transmission, as stations are activated only when needed based on predicted aircraft positions, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring network access reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts ground station activation and transmission parameters based on real-time aircraft position, predicted path, and signal quality requirements. This dynamic approach ensures that power consumption is optimized by activating stations only when aircraft are within coverage zones and adjusting transmission gain based on varying distances, maintaining reliability while minimizing energy use
2Reliability
If ground stations use high transmission gain to maintain signal quality over varying distances, then link quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission gain based on the varying distance between ground stations and aircraft. As aircraft move closer or farther from ground stations, the transmission gain is adjusted in real-time to maintain acceptable link quality while minimizing power consumption, avoiding the need for continuously high transmission power
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes transmission parameters including gain and frequency based on aircraft position and environmental conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed high settings, the system maintains link quality across varying distances while optimizing power consumption
3Reliability
If multiple ground stations are activated to provide continuous network coverage along flight paths, then network connectivity reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary path prediction to identify which ground stations will be needed along anticipated aircraft routes. By pre-calculating coverage zones and predicting aircraft trajectories, the system activates only the necessary subset of ground stations, reducing system complexity while maintaining continuous connectivity reliability through coordinated multi-station operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the coverage area into zones associated with different ground stations and activates only the stations whose zones contain or are approaching aircraft. This segmentation approach reduces the number of simultaneously active stations, simplifying system management while ensuring reliable coverage through strategic distribution of active stations along flight paths
4Reliability
If the system performs frequent handovers between ground stations and antenna beams to follow aircraft, then network access continuity is improved, but time and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of candidate ground stations and antenna beams based on predicted aircraft paths before handovers are needed. By pre-selecting potential target stations and beams, the system reduces the time and processing resources required during actual handover events, maintaining network access continuity while minimizing handover overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically evaluates signal quality metrics and aircraft position to determine optimal handover timing. By using continuous monitoring and predictive algorithms, the system performs handovers proactively before signal degradation occurs, ensuring continuity while reducing the frequency and complexity of handover operations through intelligent timing based on real-time conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures reliable network connectivity for aircraft by maintaining signal quality across varying distances and optimizing power usage, reducing resource and time intensity in providing continuous network access.
Implementation Method 1
Each ground station may include radio transmitters and/or receivers that are able to communicate with radio transmitters and/or receivers on aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A system described herein may generate a map of ground stations and associated antenna beams along a flight path. Such map generation may include assigning a unique identifier to each antenna beam and associating an absolute or relative location to each beam. As an aircraft traverses the flight path, the map may be utilized to identify candidate serving ground stations and/or candidate antenna beams, whereby a likelihood of selection may be generated for each adjacent beam to a serving beam. The likelihood of selection may be calculated based on one or more predicted flight paths and associated confidence levels of the predicted flight paths. Flight paths may be predicted based on serving beam history, pre-defined flight path, and/or other relevant factors.