Aerial radio frequency (RF) management

• US 10,210,764 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2017
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Weisbrod, Fred, Crans, Joshua J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cass, Jean Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/644,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20190012923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 701 2
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/46 the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/101 specially adapted for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A device can receive, from an aerial vehicle, information related to the aerial vehicle. The information can be used by the device to manage use of an aerial RF signal by multiple aerial vehicles. The device can determine other information related to the aerial vehicle. The device can determine a base station, of a set of base stations, or a channel, of a set of channels associated with the base station, the aerial vehicle is to use to communicate. Each of the set of channels can have a different beam width. Different channels, of the set of channels, can be used by the aerial vehicle at different altitudes. The device can provide a set of instructions to the aerial vehicle to cause the aerial vehicle to use the base station or the channel to communicate. The device can perform an action other than providing the set of instructions.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

one or more memories; and

one or more processors, communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, to;

receive, from an aerial vehicle, information related to the aerial vehicle,

the information including;

altitude information, and

global positioning system (GPS) information, and

the information to be used by the device to manage use of an aerial radio frequency (RF) signal by multiple aerial vehicles including the aerial vehicle;

determine other information related to the aerial vehicle based on the information;

determine, using the GPS information, a base station, of a set of base stations, and a channel, of a set of channels associated with the base station, the aerial vehicle is to use to communicate based on the information,

each of the set of channels having a different beam width, of a set of beam widths,

the set of beam widths including a narrow beam width and a wide beam width,

 

the narrow beam width to be used by the aerial vehicle at a high altitude, and

 

the wide beam width to be used by the aerial vehicle at a low altitude,

different channels, of the set of channels, to be used by the aerial vehicle at different altitudes,

the set of channels including a first channel and a second channel, and

the aerial vehicle using the first channel at a first altitude and the second channel at a second altitude;

provide a set of instructions to the aerial vehicle to cause the aerial vehicle to use the base station or the channel to communicate based on determining the base station and the channel; and

perform an action other than providing the set of instructions to the aerial vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors, when determining the other information, are to:

determine the other information related to the aerial vehicle or to determining the base station and the channel the aerial vehicle is to use,

the other information including;

a direction of travel of the aerial vehicle,

a distance the aerial vehicle is from the base station,

a quantity of aerial vehicles within a particular geographic area,

a manner in which the aerial vehicle is being used, or

a configuration of the aerial vehicle; and

where the one or more processors, when determining the base station and the channel, are to;

determine the base station and the channel based on the other information.

3. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors are further to:

determine that the aerial vehicle is traveling at a threshold altitude or within a particular altitude range using the altitude information; and

where the one or more processors, when determining the base station and the channel, are to;

determine the base station and the channel based on determining that the aerial vehicle is traveling at the threshold altitude or within the particular altitude range.

4. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors are further to:

receive additional information from another device,

the additional information relating to one or more other aerial vehicles, of the multiple aerial vehicles; and

where the one or more processors, when determining the base station and the channel, are to;

determine the base station and the channel for the one or more other aerial vehicles or the aerial vehicle based on the additional information.

5. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors are further to:

receive information related to a flight path of the aerial vehicle prior to the aerial vehicle traveling along the flight path; and

where the one or more processors, when determining the base station and the channel, are to;

determine multiple base stations or multiple channels the aerial vehicle is to use when traveling along the flight path.

6. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors, when providing the set of instructions, are to:

provide the set of instructions to cause the aerial vehicle to modify at least one of an altitude of the aerial vehicle, a speed of travel of the aerial vehicle, or a direction of travel of the aerial vehicle.

7. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors are further to:

determine whether the aerial vehicle is to use a licensed frequency spectrum or an unlicensed frequency spectrum using the information; and

where the one or more processors, when providing the set of instructions, are to;

provide the set of instructions to cause the aerial vehicle to use the licensed frequency spectrum or the unlicensed frequency spectrum.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to;

receive, from an aerial vehicle, information related to the aerial vehicle,

the information including;

altitude information, and

global positioning system (GPS) information, and

the information to be used by the device to manage use of an aerial radio frequency (RF) signal by multiple aerial vehicles including the aerial vehicle;

determine other information related to the aerial vehicle based on the information;

determine, using the GPS information, a base station, of a set of base stations, and a channel, of a set of channels associated with the base station, the aerial vehicle is to use to communicate based on the information,

each of the set of channels having a different beam width, of a set of beam widths,

the set of beam widths including a narrow beam width and a wide beam width,

 

the narrow beam width to be used by the aerial vehicle at a high altitude, and

 

the wide beam width to be used by the aerial vehicle at a low altitude,

different channels, of the set of channels, to be used by the aerial vehicle at different altitudes,

the set of channels including a first channel and a second channel, and

the aerial vehicle using the first channel at a first altitude and the second channel at a second altitude;

provide a set of instructions to the aerial vehicle to cause the aerial vehicle to use the base station or the channel to communicate based on determining the base station and the channel; and

perform an action other than providing the set of instructions to the aerial vehicle.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine whether the aerial vehicle is to use the aerial RF signal or a terrestrial RF signal based on the altitude information; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to provide the set of instructions, further cause the one or more processors to;

provide the set of instructions to cause the aerial vehicle to use the aerial RF signal or the terrestrial RF signal based on determining whether the aerial vehicle is to use the aerial RF signal or the terrestrial RF signal.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine the base station and the channel, cause the one or more processors to:

determine the base station and the channel based on a combination of;

a quantity of aerial vehicles using the set of base stations or the set of channels,

a manner of use of the aerial vehicle,

a quality of service level associated with an account of the aerial vehicle, or

a location of the aerial vehicle.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine whether to activate a first set of antennas associated with the set of base stations or to deactivate a second set of antennas associated with the set of base stations based on a quantity of aerial vehicles using the set of base stations or the set of channels; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to perform the action, cause the one or more processors to;

provide another set of instructions to the set of base stations to activate the first set of antennas or to deactivate the second set of antennas based on determining whether to activate the first set of antennas or to deactivate the second set of antennas.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine whether the aerial vehicle is in a location; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine the base station and the channel, cause the one or more processors to;

determine the base station and the channel based on the aerial vehicle being in the location.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine a manner of use of the aerial vehicle; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine the base station and the channel, cause the one or more processors to;

determine the base station and the channel based on the manner of use of the aerial vehicle.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine whether a value for a measurement related to the aerial RF signal received by the aerial vehicle satisfies a threshold after providing the set of instructions to the aerial vehicle; and

determine another base station or another channel the aerial vehicle is to use based on the value of the measurement failing to satisfy the threshold.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a device and from an aerial vehicle, information related to the aerial vehicle,

the information including;

altitude information, and

global positioning system (GPS) information, and

the information to be used by the device to manage use of an aerial radio frequency (RF) signal by multiple aerial vehicles including the aerial vehicle;

determining, by the device, other information related to the aerial vehicle based on the information;

determining, by the device and using the GPS information, a base station, of a set of base stations, and a channel, of a set of channels associated with the base station, the aerial vehicle is to use to communicate based on the information,

each of the set of channels having a different beam width, of a set of beam widths,

the set of beam widths including a narrow beam width and a wide beam width,

the narrow beam width to be used by the aerial vehicle at a high altitude, and

the wide beam width to be used by the aerial vehicle at a low altitude,

different channels, of the set of channels, to be used by the aerial vehicle at different altitudes,

the set of channels including a first channel and a second channel, and

the aerial vehicle using the first channel at a first altitude and the second channel at a second altitude;

providing, by the device, a set of instructions to the aerial vehicle to cause the aerial vehicle to use the base station or the channel to communicate based on determining the base station and the channel; and

performing, by the device, an action other than providing the set of instructions to the aerial vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining whether a value for a measurement related to the aerial RF signal received by the aerial vehicle satisfies a threshold after providing the set of instructions to the aerial vehicle; and

determining another base station or another channel the aerial vehicle is to use based on the value of the measurement failing to satisfy the threshold.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining whether the aerial vehicle is to use the aerial RF signal or a terrestrial RF signal; and

where providing the set of instructions comprises;

providing the set of instructions to cause the aerial vehicle to use the aerial RF signal or the terrestrial RF signal based on determining whether the aerial vehicle is to use the aerial RF signal or the terrestrial RF signal.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining a historical demand or a predicted demand for the aerial RF signal; and

where determining the base station and the channel comprises;

determining the base station and the channel based on the historical demand or the predicted demand for the aerial RF signal.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining a manner of use of the aerial vehicle based on the information received from the aerial vehicle; and

where determining the base station and the channel comprises;

determining the base station and the channel based on the manner of use of the aerial vehicle.

20. The method of claim 14, where providing the set of instructions comprises:

providing the set of instructions to cause the aerial vehicle to modify at least one of an altitude of the aerial vehicle, a speed of travel of the aerial vehicle, or a direction of travel of the aerial vehicle.