UAV Network Access Control via Random Access Preamble Indication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating at high altitudes cause interference to conventional UE on the ground due to different radio propagation characteristics, degrading communication quality and requiring effective network access management to limit their number.
Innovation Solution
A network access method and device that utilize indication information such as capability, flight certificate, and subscription information to determine if a UAV terminal supports air communication, allowing only valid UAVs to access the network and limiting their quantity to reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs are allowed to access the cellular network freely, then the functionality and utility of UAVs is enriched, but interference is caused to conventional UE on the ground, degrading communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network access control by introducing a specific indication bit in the random access preamble that identifies whether the terminal is a UAV. This allows the base station to differentiate between conventional UE and UAVs during the random access process, enabling selective management and interference mitigation strategies to be applied specifically to UAV communications without affecting conventional ground-based users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through the indication bit embedded in the random access preamble. This intermediary signal enables the base station to identify UAV terminals before establishing full communication, allowing for proactive interference management and network resource allocation that prevents harmful effects on conventional UE while maintaining UAV functionality.
2Productivity
If more UAVs access the network, then the utility of the cellular network for aerial applications increases, but communication quality of conventional UE is reduced due to greater interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UAVs provide indication information during the random access process, allowing the base station to identify and track UAV connections. This feedback enables the network to monitor UAV activity levels and implement appropriate interference management strategies, such as resource allocation adjustments or power control, to maintain communication quality for conventional UE while supporting aerial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by introducing a new indication bit in the random access preamble structure. This parameter modification enables the network to distinguish between different terminal types and apply different access control or resource allocation parameters specifically for UAVs, thereby managing the trade-off between supporting aerial applications and maintaining ground-based communication quality.
3Reliability
If indication information is added to identify UAV terminals, then network access control and interference management is improved, but the complexity of the access process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UAV identification function with the existing random access preamble structure by embedding an indication bit within it. This merging approach allows UAV identification and network access control to be achieved without adding separate signaling channels or procedures, thereby improving access control reliability while minimizing the increase in process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the random access preamble multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a standard access signal and as a UAV identification mechanism through the included indication bit. This universal approach allows the same signaling structure to perform multiple functions, improving network access control for UAVs without requiring additional dedicated signaling procedures that would increase system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
This application discloses a network access method, a network device, and a terminal. The method includes: obtaining, by a network device, indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports air communication; and when the indication information indicates that the terminal supports the air communication, determining, by the network device, that the terminal is allowed to access a network in which the network device is located. In this application, a quantity of unmanned aerial vehicle terminals that access the network can be limited, reducing interference caused by the unmanned aerial vehicle terminals to another terminal in the same network as the unmanned aerial vehicle terminals, and improving communication quality of the another terminal.