Network-Assisted UAV Mobility for Continuous Detect-and-Avoid Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detect and avoid (DAA) systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are less than ideal and may only accommodate a narrow set of use cases, often relying on remote pilot stations, UAV controllers, and human observers, which limits their flexibility and scalability in complex and dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
Network-assisted DAA solutions that leverage existing infrastructure to provide a flexible DAA system, minimizing reliance on remote pilot stations and UAV controllers, by using network entities to transmit signaling and context information for UAVs to support network-based aviation services, including UAV-to-UAV communications and ground network traffic awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network-assisted DAA solutions are implemented to provide flexible and scalable UAV support, then adaptability and service capability are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal DAA server that can serve multiple UAVs and provide multiple aviation services (detect and avoid, traffic management, navigation assistance) through a single network-based platform. This multi-functional server reduces the need for separate specialized systems for each UAV or service type, achieving flexibility without proportional increases in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network-based DAA server as an intermediary between UAVs and ground infrastructure. This server mediates communication between multiple UAVs and the ground network, centralizing complex processing tasks while keeping individual UAV systems relatively simple. The intermediary handles service coordination, information exchange, and decision-making, distributing complexity appropriately across the system architecture.
2Reliability
If network entities transmit signaling and context information to support UAV mobility, then service continuity is improved, but information transmission overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing context information about UAVs (including service requirements, capability profiles, and operational parameters) and storing it in the network before handover events occur. When a UAV moves between coverage areas, the target RAN node can retrieve this pre-prepared context information, avoiding the need for extensive real-time information exchange and reducing signaling overhead during critical handover moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and transmitting context information copies between RAN nodes during handover. Instead of transferring all raw sensor data and processing states, the system copies essential contextual parameters (UAV identity, service type, capability indicators) that are sufficient to maintain service continuity. This selective copying reduces the quantity of transmitted information while preserving service reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for method of wireless communication at a source radio access network (RAN) node, comprising receiving signaling indicating a user equipment (UE) is associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), transmitting signaling to the UE indicating availability, at the source RAN node, of a first server that supports a network-based aviation service, and transmitting context information for the UE to a target RAN node that has a second server that supports the network-based aviation service.