UAV Remote Identification via Cellular Network Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned aircraft often use different communication systems, leading to challenges in coexistence, as UAVs cannot use automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) due to spectrum limitations and high numbers, resulting in potential safety hazards when both types operate in the same airspace.
Innovation Solution
UAVs broadcast remote identification (BRID) messages that are received by terrestrial cellular networks, which query UAV flight management systems to obtain additional information and convert it into ADS-B or traffic information service-broadcast (TIS-B) messages for manned aircraft, enabling them to detect UAV presence and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If UAVs use different communication systems (BRID messages) instead of ADS-B, then spectrum limitations are respected and high numbers of UAVs can operate, but manned aircraft cannot detect UAV presence leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces terrestrial cellular network infrastructure (base stations, network entities) as an intermediary system. UAVs broadcast BRID messages that are received by base stations, which then query network entities to obtain additional UAV information. This intermediary converts BRID messages into ADS-B or TIS-B messages that manned aircraft can detect, thereby enabling coexistence without requiring UAVs to use ADS-B directly.
2Reliability
If terrestrial cellular networks convert BRID messages to ADS-B/TIS-B messages, then manned aircraft can detect UAVs, but system complexity increases due to additional network entities and conversion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing terrestrial cellular network infrastructure multi-functional. Base stations not only provide cellular service but also receive and process BRID messages. Network entities that already exist for cellular operations are queried for additional UAV information, converting existing infrastructure into a dual-purpose system that supports both cellular communications and UAV surveillance without adding dedicated new hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by having the terrestrial cellular network automatically perform the conversion function. When a base station receives a BRID message, it autonomously queries the network entity using the UAV ID from the message, receives additional information, and generates the appropriate ADS-B or TIS-B message without requiring manual intervention or dedicated conversion equipment.
3Loss of information
If base stations query network entities for UAV information, then complete UAV information is obtained for accurate tracking, but information loss occurs when context is absent requiring additional queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having base stations check for stored context information about UAVs before querying network entities. The context check is performed in advance to determine whether additional queries are needed, allowing the system to quickly retrieve information when context exists and only perform full queries when necessary, thus reducing average information retrieval time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where base stations receive responses from network entities containing UAV information. This feedback loop allows the base station to update its stored context for future use, creating a learning system that reduces information loss over time as more UAVs are tracked and their information cached in the network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A wireless device may receive a broadcast remote identification (BRID) message from a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), where the BRID message may include an identity of the UAV. The wireless device may identify UAV information associated with the UAV based on the UAV ID. In some cases, the wireless device may be configured with information that enables the identification of the UAV information. In other cases, the wireless device may request the UAV information from a network entity, such as a UAV flight management system (UFMS), which provides the requested UAV information. In some examples, the UFMS may request the UAV information from an unmanned aerial system (UAS) service supplier (USS) based on the BRID information. Upon identifying the UAV information, the wireless device may broadcast the UAV information to manned aerial vehicles, thereby indicating a presence of the UAV.