UAV PDU Session Establishment for Secure Operation Communications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in communication range, reliability, and security due to direct point-to-point communication methods, which are often unreliable and of low data rates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple PDU sessions for UAVs, where a first PDU session is used for authentication and authorization, and a second PDU session is established with session parameters for secure and reliable operation communications, including unmanned aerial vehicle command and control messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If direct point-to-point communication is used for UAVs, then communication simplicity is maintained, but communication reliability and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into multiple PDU sessions with distinct functions: first PDU session for authentication and authorization, second PDU session for operation communications. This segmentation allows each session to be optimized for its specific purpose, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network introduces an intermediary authentication and authorization server that mediates between the UAV and the operational communication channel. This intermediary verifies credentials before allowing operation communications, enhancing security and reliability without requiring complex end-to-end encryption at the application layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If direct point-to-point communication is used for UAVs, then system simplicity is maintained, but communication security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidcommunication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Authentication and authorization are performed as preliminary actions before establishing the operation communication channel. The first PDU session is dedicated to verifying credentials and establishing trust, ensuring that only authorized UAVs can access the operational communication system, thereby preventing unauthorized access without complicating the operational communication protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple PDU sessions are implemented for UAVs, then communication security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The WTRU is designed with multi-functionality to handle both authentication/authorization communications and operation communications through different PDU sessions using the same physical interface and protocol stack, avoiding the need for separate hardware systems and reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple logical sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If multiple PDU sessions are implemented for UAVs, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Object-affected harmful factors

If first PDU session is limited to authentication and authorization, then security is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first PDU session for authentication and authorization remains continuously available and active, allowing the UAV to maintain its authenticated state without repeatedly performing authentication handshakes for each operation, thereby maintaining communication efficiency while preserving security boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250274753A1Protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed that are associated with cellular communications for unmanned aerial vehicles and associated devices. A WTRU may initiate multiple PDU sessions. The WTRU may initiate a first protocol data unit (PDU) session. The WTRU may receive one or more session parameters for a second PDU session. The one or more session parameters for the second PDU session may be received via the first PDU session. The WTRU may initiate the second PDU session using the one or more session parameters (e.g., based on an authentication and authorization associated with the first PDU session being successful). The WTRU may send or receive an operation communication via the second PDU session. The operation communication may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle command and control message or an unmanned aerial vehicle payload message.