UAV Uplink Beam Alignment Using Common Pilot Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in providing reliable and efficient data transmission for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in mobile networks, particularly due to asymmetrical uplink and downlink service requirements and interference issues.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication method and apparatus that utilizes common pilot signals and location information to adjust receive beams, perform cross-carrier scheduling and feedback, and manage interference, enhancing data transmission reliability and reducing interference between network devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If common pilot signals are used on common transmission resources for uplink transmission by UAVs, then network capacity and resource utilization are improved, but inter-cell interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different receive beam directions for different network devices receiving the same common pilot signal. Each network device adjusts its receive beam direction based on its location relative to the UAV, allowing localized optimization of signal reception while maintaining overall system capacity. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high resource utilization through common pilot signals while managing interference through localized beam direction adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting receive beam directions based on UAV location information. The network devices continuously adapt their receive beam directions according to the UAV's position, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance as the UAV moves. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to handle inter-cell interference effectively while maintaining high network capacity through common resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If receive beam directions are adjusted based on UAV location information, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having network devices automatically adjust their receive beam directions based on received location information from the UAV. The system performs self-optimization without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention. Each network device independently processes the location information and adjusts its beam direction accordingly, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the receive beam direction adjustment mechanism based on anticipated UAV locations. The network devices are prepared in advance to handle location information and adjust beams proactively, rather than reactively responding to transmission failures. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of real-time adjustments while ensuring reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If cross-carrier scheduling and feedback mechanisms are implemented, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by implementing a cross-carrier scheduling and feedback mechanism that can handle multiple carriers and UAVs through a unified approach. The same scheduling and feedback procedures are used across different carriers and for different UAVs, reducing the need for carrier-specific or UAV-specific complex configurations. This universal mechanism improves resource allocation efficiency while keeping system complexity manageable through standardization.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3869852B1Wireless communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3869852B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3869852B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3869852B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a wireless communication method and apparatus. The method includes: A second network device sends, to a first terminal device and at least one network device, first indication information used to indicate to send a common pilot signal on a common transmission resource, so that the first terminal device sends the common pilot signal to the at least one network device on the common transmission resource, and each network device receives and demodulates the common pilot signal, and adjusts a receive beam in a direction of the first terminal device based on the common pilot signal. In this way, interference of uplink transmission of the first terminal device to a neighboring cell can be effectively reduced. Embodiments of this application have good applicability, especially for a scenario of uplink transmission of a UAV.