Navigation lanes for user equipment based on wireless station coverage area

• US 9,998,975 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Buchmueller, Daniel, Hensel, Fabian, Kimchi, Gur
• Primary Examiner(s): Sivji, Nizar
• Application Number:
  US15/266,775
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/302 due to low signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/322 by location data

Abstract

Described are systems and methods for considering a user equipment (UE) location and Evolved Node B (eNodeBs) locations as a factor in determining whether a handoff of a wireless connection between the UE and a first eNodeB to a second eNodeB should be initiated. Alternatively, the systems and methods include selection of an eNodeB with which a wireless connection is to be established. In addition to considering a signal strength for an eNodeB and determining whether to established a wireless communication or initiate a handoff based on the signal strength, the UE location and eNodeB locations may likewise considered. Likewise, a navigation path or anticipated trajectory of the UE may also be considered when selecting an eNodeB with which a wireless communication is to be established or to which a handoff of an existing wireless communication is to be initiated.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

collecting over a period of time and using a first plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), wireless station cellular signal strengths of a plurality of wireless stations within an area;

determining a high traffic direction of travel for a second plurality of UAVs within the area;

determining, based at least in part on the collected wireless station cellular signal strengths within the area, a wireless station coverage area for each wireless station of the plurality of wireless stations;

determining a navigation lane for use by the second plurality of UAVs, wherein the navigation lane is based at least in part on the wireless station coverage area for each wireless station located within the area and determined such that a UAV of the second plurality of UAVs navigating within the navigation lane obtains cellular coverage from one or more of the plurality of wireless stations; and

sending instructions that direct at least one of the second plurality of UAVs along a navigation path that is within a coverage area of at least one wireless station of the plurality of wireless stations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one UAV is included in the first plurality of UAVs and the second plurality of UAVs.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation lane identifies a path to be navigated by the second plurality of UAVs and an altitude range in which the second plurality of UAVs are to be within.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation lane includes a plurality of segments and each segment is within a wireless station coverage area of at least one of the plurality of wireless stations having at least a minimum quality of service.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to at least:

receive from a first plurality of user equipment (UE), wireless station cellular signal strengths of a plurality of wireless stations within an area;

determine, based at least in part on the collected wireless station cellular signal strengths within the area, a wireless station coverage area for each wireless station of the plurality of wireless stations;

determine a navigation lane for use by a second plurality of UEs, wherein the navigation lane is based at least in part on the wireless station coverage area for each wireless station located within the area and determined such that a UE of the second plurality of UEs navigating within the navigation lane obtains cellular coverage from one or more of the plurality of wireless stations; and

send instructions that direct at least one of the second plurality of UEs along the navigation lane.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to at least:

determine a high traffic direction of travel for a second plurality of UEs within the area.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the navigation lane is further determined based at least in part on the high traffic direction of travel.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein at least one UE is included in the first plurality of UEs and the second plurality of UEs.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein each UE of the second plurality of UEs is included in a respective aerial vehicle of a plurality of aerial vehicles.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of aerial vehicles is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the navigation lane identifies a path to be navigated by the plurality of aerial vehicles and an altitude range in which the plurality of aerial vehicles are to be within.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein the navigation lane includes a plurality of segments and each segment is within a wireless station coverage area of at least one of the plurality of wireless stations having at least a minimum quality of service.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first plurality of UEs is included in a ground based vehicle.

14. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

collecting, using a first plurality of aerial vehicles, wireless station cellular signal strengths of a plurality of wireless stations within an area; and

determining, based at least in part on the collected wireless station cellular signal strengths, a wireless station cellular coverage area for each wireless station of the plurality of wireless stations;

based at least in part on the wireless station cellular signal strengths or the wireless station cellular coverage areas, determining a navigation lane for use by a second plurality of aerial vehicles, wherein the navigation lane is determined such that an aerial vehicle of the second plurality of aerial vehicles navigating within the navigation lane obtains cellular coverage from one or more of the plurality of wireless stations; and

sending instructions that direct at least one of the second plurality of aerial vehicles along a navigation path that is within a coverage area of at least one wireless station of the plurality of wireless stations.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining a high traffic direction of travel for the second plurality of aerial vehicles within the area; and

wherein the navigation lane is further based at least in part on the high traffic direction of travel.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein at least one aerial vehicle is included in the first plurality of aerial vehicles and the second plurality of aerial vehicles.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein at least one unmanned aerial vehicle is included in the first plurality of aerial vehicles or the second plurality of aerial vehicles.