UAV Position Verification via Cellular Network Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV positioning systems rely on GPS data, which can be falsified or jammed, leading to unreliable location tracking and potential security risks, as central authorities struggle to enforce flight regulations and ensure safe operations.
Innovation Solution
A computing unit within a cellular network verifies the geographical position of a UAV by comparing UAV-based position information with network-based position information from entities like mobility management and on-demand positioning entities, enabling continuous monitoring and corrective actions to ensure accurate and secure flight paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based positioning is used for UAV tracking, then the UAV position can be obtained, but the position data may be faked or jammed leading to unreliable tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cellular network entities (MME, positioning entities) as intermediaries to verify UAV position. Instead of directly trusting GPS data from the UAV, the system uses network-based positioning through cell tower triangulation and mobility management entities to independently determine and verify the UAV's geographical position, creating a mediator layer that prevents fake position data
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback verification where the UAV application server repeatedly requests network-based position information from cellular network entities and compares it with UAV-reported positions. This ongoing feedback loop allows the system to detect and correct position deviations, ensuring continuous verification of position authenticity throughout the UAV flight
2Reliability
If network-based positioning verification is implemented, then position reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple network entities involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cellular network functions into a unified verification system. The Mobility Management Entity (MME), positioning entities, and UAV application server work together as an integrated network-based verification system, leveraging existing cellular infrastructure components rather than introducing entirely new separate systems, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for verifying a geographical position of an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, is disclosed. A computing unit for executing a UAV application server residing in a cellular network and configured to verify a geographical position of a UAV connected to the cellular network comprises at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory contains instructions executable by the at least one processor such that the UAV application server is operable to receive (S202) UAV-based position information indicative of a current geographical position of the UAV determined by the UAV, trigger (S204) obtaining, from at least one entity of the cellular network and based on information associated with the UAV available in the cellular network, network-based position information indicative of a current geographical position of the UAV, and trigger (S206) verifying the UAV-based position information based on the network-based position information.