UAV Mobility Management via Discovery Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in mobility management due to increased detectable cells and interference at higher altitudes, which complicates handover processes and requires efficient mobility management solutions in wireless communication networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses discovery signals for mobility management, allowing wireless communication devices to transmit an identifier and indication for mobility management, enabling network nodes to perform uplink measurements without prior configuration, and reusing existing radio resources for sidelink communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerial UEs operate at higher altitudes, then line of sight to network nodes is improved, but the number of detectable neighbour cells increases significantly causing measurement complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mobility management process by introducing a dedicated discovery signal transmission phase separate from normal uplink communication. The aerial UE transmits discovery signals on specific sidelink resources, allowing network nodes to perform measurements without involving the UE in the measurement process, thus simplifying UE-side mobility management complexity while maintaining reliable signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery signal acts as an intermediary mechanism between the aerial UE and network nodes for mobility management. Instead of the UE directly measuring and reporting neighbour cell conditions, the UE transmits discovery signals that enable network nodes to perform measurements and determine handover decisions, reducing the burden on aerial UEs
2Speed
If aerial UEs move at high speed, then coverage area is expanded, but handover time is reduced making neighbour cell measurements difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having network nodes continuously monitor discovery signals transmitted by aerial UEs before handover is needed. This allows the network to pre-identify suitable target cells and prepare handover parameters in advance, reducing the actual handover execution time when the aerial UE moves at high speed
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery signal serves as a copy or replica of the aerial UE's presence and channel conditions that can be measured by multiple network nodes simultaneously. This allows the network to evaluate multiple potential target cells in parallel without requiring the fast-moving aerial UE to perform sequential measurements, thus reducing handover time
3Area of stationary object
If the number of detectable cells increases with height, then network coverage is improved, but interference from neighbouring cells increases affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the aerial UE and assigns it to the network nodes. The UE simply transmits discovery signals without performing measurements, while network nodes perform the measurements in a controlled environment with proper interference management, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining wide coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Network nodes perform self-service by autonomously measuring the discovery signals transmitted by aerial UEs and making handover decisions without requiring UE involvement in the measurement process. This allows the network to manage interference and measurements centrally, improving measurement precision across the expanded coverage area
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional downlink reference signals are used for mobility management, then existing network infrastructure is utilized, but aerial UEs cannot transmit mobility measurement information efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional mobility management approach by having the aerial UE transmit discovery signals (uplink) instead of the network transmitting reference signals (downlink) for mobility measurements. This inversion allows the aerial UE to actively provide measurement information to the network, significantly improving mobility management efficiency while still using existing network infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the area of mobility management In wireless communication systems, and in particular to methods for managing mobility of a wireless communication device (10) based on a discovery signal transmitted by the wireless communication device (10). According to a first aspect of embodiments it is provided a method, for use in a wireless communication device (10), for supporting mobility. The method comprises determining (S1) whether to transmit a discovery signal configured for use by one or more of the radio network nodes (30, 40) in a wireless communication network (1) for mobility and upon the determining being positive, transmitting (S4) the discovery signal, wherein the discovery signal comprises an identifier of the wireless communication device (10) and an indication that the discovery signal is for use in mobility management.