UAV Offline State Detection Using Location-Based Area Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the abnormal offline state of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are inaccurate due to reliance on configured maximum delays, leading to inefficiencies in battery life management.

Innovation Solution

Utilize location information to determine the abnormal offline state of UAVs by comparing their location to predefined target offline areas, enhancing accuracy and flexibility in configuring these areas through interactions between network elements like AMF, UTM, and UDM.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If location information is used to determine abnormal offline state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of determining abnormal offline stateVSAvoidcomplexity of determining abnormal offline state
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) network element as an intermediary to handle the complex task of determining abnormal offline states. The AMF receives location information from the UDM (Unified Data Management), compares it with the target offline area, and determines whether the UAV is in an abnormal offline state. This intermediary approach improves measurement precision while managing device complexity by centralizing the determination logic in a dedicated network element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If maximum delay configuration is used to determine abnormal offline state, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of determining abnormal offline stateVSAvoidaccuracy of determining abnormal offline state
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the determination parameter from time-based (maximum delay configuration) to location-based (location information comparison with target offline area). By using location information obtained from the UDM and comparing it with the predefined target offline area, the system achieves higher measurement precision in determining abnormal offline states while maintaining reasonable device complexity through standardized network element interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If offline area configuration is made flexible through multiple network elements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in configuring target offline areaVSAvoidcomplexity of configuring offline area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal configuration mechanism where the UDM (Unified Data Management) network element serves multiple functions: storing target offline area information, providing location information for comparison, and supporting various UAV offline state determination scenarios. The AMF network element also performs multiple functions including receiving location information, comparing with target offline area, and determining abnormal offline states. This multi-functionality approach improves adaptability while managing device complexity through standardized, reusable network element functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4021063B1Method for determining abnormal offline state and related device
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4021063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4021063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4021063B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application discloses an abnormal offline state determining method and a related apparatus. The method includes: An access and mobility management function network element AMF obtains location information when an uncrewed aerial vehicle enters or leaves an offline state. If a location indicated by the location information is outside a target offline area, the AMF marks a state of the uncrewed aerial vehicle as an abnormal offline state. The AMF sends a state identifier of the abnormal offline state to an unmanned aircraft system traffic management network element UTM. Therefore, the location information when the uncrewed aerial vehicle enters or leaves the offline state is used to determine whether the uncrewed aerial vehicle is in the abnormal offline state, so that accuracy of determining the abnormal offline state of the uncrewed aerial vehicle can be improved to some extent.