Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

Direct-to-Device Connectivity for Integrated Communication, Navigation and Surveillance

Muhammad Asad Ullah, Davi Brilhante, Luís Eduardo Partichelli Potrich, José Suárez-Varela, Paul Almasan, Charles Cleary, Vadim Kramar

Abstract

Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) is the backbone of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations of modern and future aviation. Traditionally, the CNS is considered three independent systems: communications, navigation, and surveillance. The current CNS system is fragmented, with limited integration across its three domains. Integrated CNS (ICNS) is a contemporary concept implying that those systems are provisioned through the same technology stack. ICNS is envisioned to improve service quality, spectrum efficiency, communication capacity, navigation predictability, and surveillance capabilities. The 5G technology stack offers higher throughput, lower latency, and massive connectivity compared to many existing communication technologies. This paper presents our 5G ICNS vision and network architecture and discusses how 5G technology can support integrated CNS services using terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. We also discuss key 5G radio access technologies for delivering integrated CNS services at low altitudes for Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations. Finally, we present relevant challenges and potential research directions for further studies.

Direct-to-Device Connectivity for Integrated Communication, Navigation and Surveillance

Abstract

Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) is the backbone of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations of modern and future aviation. Traditionally, the CNS is considered three independent systems: communications, navigation, and surveillance. The current CNS system is fragmented, with limited integration across its three domains. Integrated CNS (ICNS) is a contemporary concept implying that those systems are provisioned through the same technology stack. ICNS is envisioned to improve service quality, spectrum efficiency, communication capacity, navigation predictability, and surveillance capabilities. The 5G technology stack offers higher throughput, lower latency, and massive connectivity compared to many existing communication technologies. This paper presents our 5G ICNS vision and network architecture and discusses how 5G technology can support integrated CNS services using terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. We also discuss key 5G radio access technologies for delivering integrated CNS services at low altitudes for Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations. Finally, we present relevant challenges and potential research directions for further studies.
Paper Structure (18 sections, 12 equations, 5 figures, 5 tables)

This paper contains 18 sections, 12 equations, 5 figures, 5 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Technical Background and Related work
  3. UAS and NTN channel modeling
  4. Coverage in the skies: Hybrid TN and NTN system
  5. Terrestrial network
  6. Non terrestrial network
  7. Integrated TN and NTN system
  8. Spectrum bands for TN and NTN
  9. System Model
  10. Line-of-Sight Probability Model
  11. Path loss Model
  12. Vertical antenna pattern
  13. Received signal power
  14. Results
  15. Evaluation setup
  16. ...and 3 more sections

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: Illustrations of unmanned aircraft operation in urban environment using TN and NTN systems.
  • Figure 2: LoS probability as a function of aircraft height above the ground.
  • Figure 3: Path loss as a function of aircraft height above the ground level.
  • Figure 4: Impact of down tilting on the vertical antenna gain.
  • Figure 5: Received signal strength indicator as a function of aircraft height.