UAV Application Server Selection for Low-Latency Cellular Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV systems lack centralized monitoring and control capabilities, as each manufacturer operates its own application server, making it difficult for central agencies to regulate flight spaces, travel speeds, and manage flight paths, especially for secure delivery services.
Innovation Solution
A computing unit within the cellular network selects and assigns a UAV application server to a UAV based on parameters like mobility tracking area, cell ID, type, owner, and manufacturer, using a DNS query to minimize distance and latency, and provides access information through standard attach procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each UAV manufacturer or authority runs its own application server, then the UAV can be controlled and traced by the manufacturer, but centralized monitoring and enforcement by central agencies is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple manufacturer-specific application servers into a single centralized application server. The server receives identification information from UAVs and uses it to retrieve appropriate configuration parameters, thereby combining decentralized UAV control capabilities with centralized monitoring functionality in one system.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized application server is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a configuration server for different UAV manufacturers, a monitoring platform for central agencies, and a coordination hub for multiple UAVs. The server handles various identification information types and provides universal access to configuration parameters for different UAV types and operators.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration of access information is used, then the system is simple to implement, but automatic server selection and optimized connection is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs automatic self-configuration by transmitting identification information to the application server, which then automatically retrieves and provides the appropriate configuration parameters. This eliminates the need for manual configuration while maintaining system simplicity, as the UAV autonomously obtains its access information through the identification-based mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If UAVs connect via default Internet connections, then connectivity is established easily, but communication latency is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes communication parameters by dynamically selecting configuration parameters based on UAV identification information. The application server retrieves optimized parameters such as network addresses and communication settings that are specific to each UAV type and operator, thereby reducing communication latency while maintaining easy connectivity establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for selecting an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, application server is disclosed. A computing unit for executing a cellular network entity configured to select a UAV application server residing in a cellular network to be assigned to a UAV connecting 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 cellular network entity is operable to trigger (S204) selecting, as part of an attach procedure of the UAV to the cellular network, a UAV application server in the cellular network to be assigned to the UAV.