UAV Base Station Handover Using Height Threshold Broadcasts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE mobile networks face challenges in managing communications for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) due to height-based threshold issues, leading to ping-ponging of handovers among base stations, especially when UAVs operate at high altitudes, resulting in poor signal-to-noise ratios and inefficient network utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where UAVs collect and transmit height thresholds from neighboring base stations to a network device, which determines a suitable target base station based on these thresholds, signal strength, quality, and available bandwidth, and instructs the serving base station to perform a controlled handover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UAV triggers height-based measuring reports from neighboring base stations when exceeding the serving base station's height threshold, then handover can be initiated, but the UAV may be handed over to base stations with the same or lower height thresholds causing ping-ponging handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs preliminary evaluation of neighboring base stations' height thresholds before initiating handover. By collecting height threshold information from multiple neighboring base stations in advance and comparing it with the serving base station's threshold, the network device selects a target base station that has a higher height threshold, preventing ping-ponging handovers before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the UAV's height relative to base station height thresholds. When the UAV exceeds the serving base station's threshold, the network device receives height-based measuring reports, evaluates neighboring base stations' thresholds, and makes informed handover decisions based on this feedback loop, avoiding unnecessary handovers to unsuitable base stations.
2Ease of operation
If base stations use fixed height thresholds for UAV communication, then simple communication rules can be established, but UAVs operating at high altitudes experience poor signal-to-noise ratios and inefficient network utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed height thresholds to dynamic height thresholds. Each base station's height threshold is adjusted based on its specific conditions including power gain, frequency bands, elevation, azimuth angle, and morphology (rural vs. urban). This dynamic approach maintains communication reliability for high-altitude UAVs while keeping the operational rules simple through automated network device control.
3Area of stationary object
If UAVs are handed over frequently among neighboring base stations, then coverage can be maintained, but network stability deteriorates and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs preliminary evaluation of neighboring base stations before handover by comparing their height thresholds. This preliminary action identifies suitable target base stations that can maintain stable communication with high-altitude UAVs, reducing unnecessary handovers and improving network efficiency while maintaining coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary between the UAV and base stations. It collects height-based measuring reports, evaluates neighboring base stations' height thresholds, and makes intelligent handover decisions. This intermediary function prevents ping-ponging handovers and optimizes bandwidth utilization while maintaining coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing instructions to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), via a serving base station, to collect target height thresholds of target base stations. The UAV receives the target height thresholds from the target base stations, and transmits the target height thresholds to a network device, via the serving base station. Further embodiments can include determining a current height of the UAV exceeds a serving height threshold of the serving base station, selecting a first target base station from the target base stations based on the determination and a first target height threshold of the group of target height thresholds of the first target base station, and providing instructions to the serving base station to perform handover of the UAV from the serving base station to the first target base station based on the selection. Other embodiments are disclosed.