HAP-UAV Stable Matching for Low-Loss Space-Air-Ground Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in space-air-ground integrated networks is to achieve optimal matching between High Altitude Platforms (HAP) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to provide services to the maximum number of ground users while addressing fast mobility and long distances, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The method employs the Gale-Shapley algorithm to determine stable matching between HAP and UAV, considering path loss and the number of users served, ensuring that HAPs connect to UAVs with lower path loss and higher user coverage, using a device with units for determination, request, comparison, and completion of matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional matching methods are used between HAP and UAV, then the matching process is simple, but the matching stability is poor due to fast mobility of UAVs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematching stabilityVSAvoidmatching algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Gale-Shapley algorithm which changes the matching parameters from simple connection-based matching to priority-based stable matching. This algorithm considers priority values assigned to each HAP-UAV pair and dynamically adjusts matching relationships based on these parameters, ensuring stability even with fast-moving UAVs. The algorithm maintains reliability by guaranteeing that no two entities would prefer each other over their current matches, thus preventing frequent rematching despite UAV mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If optimal matching is pursued considering path loss and user coverage, then communication efficiency is improved, but the computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidmatching computation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-calculating and assigning priority values to each potential HAP-UAV matching pair based on path loss and user coverage metrics before the actual matching process. This preprocessing step transforms complex continuous optimization parameters into discrete priority rankings, which the Gale-Shapley algorithm can then efficiently process. By performing this computation beforehand, the system achieves optimal communication efficiency while keeping the real-time matching computation simple and fast.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If frequent rematching is performed to adapt to UAV mobility, then service quality is maintained, but network overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption for rematching
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UAVs and HAPs continuously monitor changes in priority values based on their relative positions, path loss conditions, and user coverage. When priority values change significantly, the stable matching property is automatically maintained through localized adjustments rather than complete rematching. This feedback-driven approach ensures service quality is maintained by adapting to mobility while minimizing unnecessary rematching operations, thus reducing energy consumption and network overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12621048B2Method for matching between HAP and UAV in space-air-ground integrated network, recording medium and device for performing the method
Publication Date: 2026.05.05 KOREA UNIV RES & BUSINESS FOUND
  • US12621048B2 patent drawing
  • US12621048B2 patent drawing
  • US12621048B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for matching between high altitude platform (HAP) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in space-air-ground integrated network includes determining if there is an unmatched UAV in the space-air-ground integrated network including at least one UAV and at least one HAP; requesting matching to an unmatched m-th (where m is a natural number) UAV from an n-th (where n is a natural number) HAP having an unconnected antenna in a presence of the unmatched UAV; determining if the m-th UAV is matched with another HAP; comparing a priority of the n-th HAP with a priority of the matched HAP, in case of the m-th UAV being matched with another HAP; and matching the unconnected antenna of the n-th HAP with the m-th UAV, in case of the priority of the n-th HAP being higher than the priority of the matched HAP.