Cellular UAV Tracking With UTM Control Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective methods for tracking and controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their controllers within cellular networks, particularly in ensuring reliable communication and navigation, especially beyond line of sight or in designated areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that allows UAVs and UAV controllers to provide tracking information such as speed, orientation, altitude, and communication quality to a cellular network, which can then determine and initiate mode changes from Network-Assisted control to UTM-Navigated control, ensuring seamless transition and navigation control by the Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management (UTM) when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If UAVs operate beyond line of sight or in remote locations, then the coverage area and operational flexibility are improved, but the reliability of communication and control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary communication channel between the UAC and UAV. Instead of relying solely on direct line-of-sight communication, the system uses cellular base stations to relay commands and tracking information, enabling reliable control beyond visual range while maintaining communication stability through the infrastructure-based intermediary channel.
2Reliability
If the system implements comprehensive tracking and control mechanisms, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing cellular network infrastructure to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing communication channels for control, enabling tracking through location data, and facilitating handover management. This multi-functional use of the cellular network reduces the need for dedicated specialized systems, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the UAV periodically reports its location, altitude, and status to the network, which then provides updated control parameters and authorization information. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable and safe operation by maintaining real-time awareness of UAV state while using standardized communication protocols that manage complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system enables dynamic control mode switching, then the adaptability to different operational scenarios is improved, but the difficulty of control and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control mode switching between autonomous and manual control based on real-time operational conditions, geographic location, and risk assessment. The system automatically transitions between control modes through defined handover procedures triggered by events such as entering restricted zones or detecting communication quality changes, providing adaptability while managing operational complexity through automated decision logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for tracking and/or controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as tracking UAV controllers (UACs) within a cellular network. A UAV/UAC may provide a cellular network with tracking information such as speed, orientation, altitude, C2 communication quality, C2 communication mode change request, measurement report, RRC status, cell ID, TAC ID, current location of the UAV, and destination of the UAV. The network may forward this information to an unmanned aerial system (UAS) traffic management system (UTM). The UTM may determine, based in part on the tracking information, whether to transfer control of the UAV from the UAC to the UTM. In some embodiments, the UAV/UAC may trigger the UTM to transfer control of the UAV form the UAC to the UTM.