UAV Cellular Network Authorization With Integrated Flight-Path Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Challenges exist in supporting aerial operations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using wireless communication systems, particularly in authenticating and authorizing UAVs for flight operations and network access.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for authenticating and authorizing UAVs involve establishing a control plane connection, sending a verification request to an aerial function management system, receiving an approval for a flight path, and establishing a data session based on this approval, incorporating UAV-specific procedures into network access protocols to ensure real-time authentication and authorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wireless network access procedures are used for UAVs, then network connectivity can be established, but authentication and authorization for flight operations cannot be verified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication and authorization reliabilityVSAvoidaccess procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the traditional network access authentication procedure with the UAV flight operation authorization procedure into a single integrated process. The network device performs both network access authentication and flight authorization verification simultaneously by receiving identity information and operational information together, then querying both network authentication information and flight authorization information based on the UAV identity, ultimately determining whether to allow network access and flight operations based on both verification results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both an authentication authority for network access and an authorization authority for flight operations. The same network device that manages network connectivity also verifies flight authorization information by querying the UAV identity against stored authorization data, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate authentication and network access procedures are used, then comprehensive verification is possible, but the process duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification completenessVSAvoidaccess procedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network device stores UAV identity information, network authentication information, and flight authorization information in advance before the UAV attempts network access. When the UAV connects, the network device can immediately query all necessary verification data without waiting for separate authentication and authorization processes, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining complete verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The verification process occurs continuously and simultaneously rather than in sequential steps. The network device queries both network authentication information and flight authorization information in parallel based on the received UAV identity, and determines access permission based on both results together, eliminating idle time between authentication and authorization stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If simplified access procedures are implemented, then connection speed increases, but compliance with flight policies cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidpolicy compliance assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The verification information is segmented into distinct components: UAV identity information, network authentication information, and flight authorization information. Each segment serves a specific purpose and is verified independently but simultaneously, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive compliance checking while processing all segments in parallel to ensure fast connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12462699B2Mechanism for unmanned vehicle authorization for operation over cellular networks

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A wireless network may receive a message from a wireless device that is coupled with an aerial vehicle. The message may include a network identifier, an aerial identifier, and operational information for the aerial vehicle. The wireless network may send a message to an aerial function management system requesting that the aerial function management system authenticate an identity of the aerial vehicle. The wireless network may also request that the aerial function management system approve a flight path for the aerial vehicle. The wireless network may establish a data session with the wireless device based on an authentication of the aerial vehicle and an approval of the flight path.