Network Time-Grid Scheduling for Ground and UAV Interference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE systems face signal interference issues when serving both ground terminals and UAVs due to differences in propagation models and base station orientations, leading to suboptimal network performance and quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine sets of network devices for specific over-the-air areas based on altitude levels, allocate time grids to these areas, and send control information to instruct network devices to operate or stop operating within each grid, minimizing interference by ensuring each device serves only its designated area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a same base station provides network service for both ground terminals and UAVs, then network coverage is improved, but signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the three-dimensional space into multiple over-the-air areas based on altitude levels. Each base station is assigned to serve specific over-the-air areas, creating spatial segmentation that prevents interference between ground terminals and UAVs while maintaining comprehensive network coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces altitude as an additional dimension for network resource allocation. By defining over-the-air areas in three-dimensional space rather than traditional two-dimensional ground areas, the system can simultaneously serve ground terminals and UAVs without interference through vertical spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If base stations serve both ground and air terminals simultaneously, then service versatility is improved, but network performance deteriorates due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidnetwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into multiple independent service regions (over-the-air areas) with distinct altitude ranges. Each base station serves specific segments, allowing the system to maintain versatility in serving different terminal types while ensuring reliable performance within each segmented region through dedicated resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different base stations are configured with different service characteristics tailored to their specific over-the-air areas. Ground-oriented base stations optimize for terrestrial terminals while air-oriented base stations optimize for UAV terminals, allowing each local region to have optimized quality appropriate for its service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing LTE base stations with down-tilt angles are used for UAV service, then device compatibility is maintained, but service effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidservice effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention configures base stations with orientation characteristics matched to their service environment. Ground base stations maintain down-tilt angles optimized for terrestrial terminals, while air base stations are configured with upward or horizontal orientation optimized for UAV terminals, ensuring each base station operates with optimal effectiveness for its designated service area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves beyond traditional two-dimensional ground-based network architecture to three-dimensional aerial-aware networking. By considering vertical dimension and terminal location height, the system can optimize base station orientation and beamforming specifically for aerial terminals, dramatically improving service effectiveness while maintaining compatibility with existing devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3576375B1Controlling network devices and sending control information or data
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 CLOUDMINDS SHANGHAI ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3576375B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3576375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3576375B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a network device, a method and an apparatus for sending control information, and a method and an apparatus for data. According to technical solutions provided in the present disclosure, network devices providing network services for different over-the-air areas are scheduled to different time grids, so that the terminal devices located in different over-the-air areas send data to respective corresponding network devices within different time grids, thereby avoiding signal interference and improving network quality.