3D Airspace Network Coverage Mapping for UAV Flight Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile networks are designed for ground-based user equipment, making network connectivity characteristics at various altitudes unknown, which complicates planning and adjusting UAV flights, especially for those dependent on network resources like video streaming or mission-critical inputs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a Network Coverage and Policy Server (NCPS) that determines airspace granularity, generates network connectivity and policy information maps, and transfers them to a UAV Traffic Management (UTM) system to ensure network requirements are met throughout a flight mission, including deviations from the original plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current mobile networks are used for ground-based user equipment, then network connectivity is provided for ground operations, but network connectivity characteristics at various altitudes remain unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends network coverage mapping from two-dimensional ground-based areas to three-dimensional airspace by introducing altitude as a new dimension. The system divides airspace into volume elements and maps network connectivity characteristics across this 3D space, enabling UAVs to access network information relevant to their flight altitude and location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mapping of network coverage and policy information for the entire airspace before UAV flights occur. By pre-dividing the airspace into volume elements and determining network characteristics for each element in advance, the system provides UAVs with available network information prior to flight, eliminating the need for real-time discovery during flight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network coverage maps are created for three-dimensional airspace, then network access information becomes available for UAV flight planning, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous three-dimensional airspace into discrete volume elements with specific granularity. Each volume element is assigned network coverage and policy information independently. This segmentation transforms the complex problem of 3D network mapping into manageable discrete units, facilitating systematic processing and storage while maintaining comprehensive coverage information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system assigns different network coverage characteristics and policy information to different volume elements based on their specific locations and altitudes. Rather than applying uniform network parameters throughout the airspace, the system tailors network information to local conditions in each volume element, enabling UAVs to access appropriately localized network data for their specific flight context.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed network policy information is provided for each volume element, then flight planning accuracy improves, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the granularity parameter of volume elements to balance detail and data volume. By adjusting the size and resolution of volume elements, the system can provide sufficiently detailed network information for accurate flight planning while controlling the total quantity of data that must be processed and stored. This parameter adjustment allows optimization based on specific operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is described. The method includes determining, by a Network Coverage and Policy Server (NCPS), an airspace; determining, by the NCPS, a granularity that indicates sizes for volume elements in a set of volume elements that logically divide the airspace; determining, by the NCPS, network policy information for volume elements in the set of volume elements to produce one or more maps; and transferring, by the NCPS, the one or more maps to a UAV Traffic Management (UTM) system.