UAV Session Connectivity for Aerial State Detection and Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face communication range restrictions due to direct line-of-sight signal transmission and may introduce interference to ground-based user equipment (UEs) when using cellular connections, especially if they lack certification or subscription for aerial operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing session connectivity to differentiate between aerial and non-aerial states of UAV-coupled wireless devices, allowing appropriate radio protocol application and bearer establishment for UAVs, including certification verification through home subscriber service (HSS) and authorization, to manage interference and ensure compliant operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If UAVs use cellular connections for communication, then communication range is extended beyond direct line-of-sight, but interference is introduced to ground-based UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two distinct modes: aerial mode for UAVs and ground mode for terrestrial UEs. By implementing mode-specific radio protocols and separate session management, the system allows UAVs to operate on cellular networks while ground UEs use standard protocols, thereby extending UAV communication range without causing interference to ground-based communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by configuring UAV-specific parameters and protocols only when aerial mode is detected. The system dynamically adjusts radio resource allocation, power control, and session management parameters based on the operational mode, ensuring that aerial-specific configurations are applied only to UAV connections while ground UEs receive standard configurations, thus preventing interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs operate without certification or subscription for aerial operations, then deployment flexibility is increased, but regulatory compliance and network authorization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring UAVs to perform certification verification and subscription validation before initiating aerial mode communication. The system checks for valid aerial operation credentials during the session establishment phase, ensuring that only authorized UAVs can operate in aerial mode. This preliminary verification maintains regulatory compliance while allowing flexible deployment of certified UAVs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authorization mechanism between the UAV and the cellular network. The system uses session management entities and authentication servers as intermediaries to verify UAV credentials, validate aerial operation permissions, and grant appropriate network access. This intermediary layer ensures regulatory compliance while maintaining deployment flexibility for authorized UAVs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) configured as a drone-coupled wireless device may be configured to transmit a message indicating information relating to the drone-coupled wireless device (e.g., aerial state, non-aerial state, airborne status, drone capability, quality of service (QoS) requirements of a drone service) to a base station. The message may also carry a session connectivity request, which the base station may use to determine that the UE is a drone-coupled wireless device, establish a bearer appropriate for a subscription service of the UE (e.g., as indicated by the drone capability), and apply appropriate protocols for the UE.