UAV Interference Mitigation in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at higher altitudes generate significant interference in cellular networks due to reduced path losses, affecting signal quality and causing interference to neighboring access points, which existing technologies fail to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that identifies and mitigates interference from UAVs by adjusting their operations, such as data compression, throughput, uplink power, or communication protocols, based on traffic profiles and interference impact, and scheduling network resource access on a per-region level to control interference across wider geographic areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UAVs operate at higher altitudes to access network resources, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but interference impact on neighboring access points increases due to reduced path losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing region-specific interference mitigation strategies. Different geographic regions have different interference thresholds and mitigation requirements. The system identifies regions where UAV interference is problematic and applies targeted mitigation actions (such as power adjustments or resource allocation changes) specifically in those regions, rather than uniformly across the entire network. This allows the system to maintain high-altitude UAV connectivity while controlling interference in affected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting UAV transmission parameters (such as uplink power, modulation schemes, or resource block allocation) based on observed interference levels. When a UAV causes excessive interference to neighboring access points, the system modifies its communication parameters to reduce the interference impact while attempting to maintain acceptable connectivity. This may involve lowering transmission power or changing frequency resources.
2Reliability
If cellular networks are optimized for ground level devices, then signal quality for terrestrial UEs is improved, but interference mitigation for aerial UEs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional interference mitigation framework that handles both ground-level and aerial UEs. The system uses a unified interference management architecture that can adapt its behavior based on the type of UE causing interference. The same base station and network infrastructure serve both terrestrial and aerial devices, with the added capability to identify and mitigate interference from high-altitude UAVs using the same network elements that already manage ground device connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the interference mitigation system adaptive and responsive to changing conditions. The system continuously monitors interference levels from different UEs and dynamically adjusts mitigation strategies based on real-time observations. When a UAV enters a region where it causes excessive interference, the system activates mitigation measures; when the UAV moves away or interference levels decrease, the system relaxes or removes those measures. This dynamic approach allows the network to maintain optimization for ground devices while adapting to handle aerial devices as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods, apparatuses, systems, and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to facilitate interference mitigation of aerial devices on a radio access network are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a processor from a base station of the radio access network, an indication of an interference event associated with the base station, and determining, by the processor, a set of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) associated with the base station during flight of the set, where the interference event is at least partially attributed to each UAV of the set. The method further includes selecting, by the processor, a UAV among the set based on a respective traffic profile associated with each UAV of the set, and providing, by the processor, an instruction to the UAV to cause an adjustment of an operation of the UAV to reduce an interference impact of the UAV on the base station.