Cellular UAV Control With Regulator Command Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the ability for central regulators to effectively monitor and enforce UAV usage, as existing technologies do not allow for prioritization of control commands from regulator entities over other controlling entities, leading to challenges in managing UAV behavior and ensuring compliance with flight regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method where a UAV connected to a cellular network receives commands from a regulator entity with higher priority, allowing for control over the UAV, blocking of resources or services, and monitoring data requests, with continuous connectivity checks and mitigation actions based on predefined criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UAVs are controlled through standard cellular network connections with equal priority for all commands, then network compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but the ability of central regulators to enforce flight regulations and take control in case of misbehavior is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary communication channel between regulators and UAVs. The network infrastructure (base stations, core network elements) acts as a mediator that enables reliable command transmission while maintaining standard connectivity. This resolves the contradiction by providing a trusted communication path that balances ease of operation with regulatory enforcement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the priority parameter of commands transmitted through the cellular network. Regulator commands are assigned higher priority than other control commands, ensuring they are executed first. This parameter change (command priority level) enables reliable regulatory enforcement while maintaining compatibility with standard cellular network operations and other control systems.
2Reliability
If regulator commands are given higher priority over other control commands, then the ability to enforce regulations and take corrective actions is improved, but command execution reliability and system stability may be compromised due to potential conflicts with autonomous flight control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having the UAV autonomously detect regulatory violations (such as flying in restricted zones) and preemptively execute corrective actions (like returning home or landing) before regulator intervention is needed. This reduces the frequency of high-priority regulator commands, thereby maintaining flight control stability while ensuring regulatory enforcement capability when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes preliminary communication channels and command protocols between regulators and UAVs before any violations occur. The high-priority command pathway is pre-configured in the cellular network and UAV firmware, ensuring that when regulatory intervention is needed, commands can be executed immediately without system reconfiguration or delays, thus maintaining both enforcement reliability and operational stability.
3Loss of information
If continuous monitoring and command transmission to UAVs is implemented, then regulatory oversight capability is improved, but network resource consumption and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring where UAVs transmit location and status information to regulators at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. This periodic communication pattern reduces network resource consumption and energy usage while still providing sufficient regulatory oversight to detect and respond to violations. The interval between transmissions is optimized to balance information freshness with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where UAVs only initiate communication with regulators when specific conditions are met, such as entering restricted zones, experiencing anomalies, or deviating from authorized flight paths. This event-triggered feedback approach minimizes unnecessary network communications and energy consumption while ensuring that critical information is transmitted promptly for regulatory enforcement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, (100) by a regulator entity (612) is provided, wherein the UAV (100) is connected to a cellular network. A method implementation of the technique is performed by the UAV (100) and comprises receiving, from a cellular network entity (604) of the cellular network, a command originating from the regulator entity (612), the command being directed to the UAV (100) and taking precedence in the UAV (100) over commands originating from other entities (608, 610) controlling the UAV (100).