[Paper Review] An Overview of 3GPP Release-15 Study on Enhanced LTE Support for Connected Drones

Siva D. Muruganathan, Xingqin Lin+5 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 2, 2018

UAV Applications and Optimization5 references92 citations

TL;DR

This paper surveys the 3GPP Release-15 study on LTE connectivity for low-altitude UAVs, outlining UAV requirements, channel models, challenges, proposed solutions, and standardized features.

ABSTRACT

Cellular connectivity to low altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has received significant interest recently which has led to a 3GPP study on enhanced LTE support for connected UAVs in Release 15. The objective of the study is to investigate the capability of long-term evolution (LTE) networks for providing connectivity to UAVs. In this article, we provide an overview of the key findings of the 3GPP Release-15 study-item phase. We first introduce UAV connectivity requirements and performance evaluation scenarios defined in the study. We then discuss radio channel models and the key identified challenges of using LTE networks to provide connectivity to UAVs. We summarize potential solutions to address the challenges including interference detection and mitigation techniques, mobility enhancements, and UAV identification. Finally, we also shed light on the key features standardized during the Release-15 work-item phase.

Motivation & Objective

• Explain UAV connectivity requirements and performance evaluation scenarios defined in the study.
• Summarize radio channel models and the main challenges of using LTE for UAV connectivity.
• Present potential solutions for interference, mobility, and UAV identification.
• Highlight key Release-15 features standardized during the work-item phase.

Proposed method

• Review and summarize UAV connectivity requirements and performance scenarios from the 3GPP Release-15 study-item phase.
• Discuss radio channel models used for UAVs and identify key challenges in LTE connectivity for drones.
• Outline proposed solutions including interference detection/mitigation, mobility enhancements, and UAV identification.
• Summarize the Release-15 work-item features that address UAV connectivity.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What are the connectivity requirements and performance scenarios for UAVs in LTE as defined by the Release-15 study?
• RQ2 What are the major radio channel model considerations and challenges when providing LTE service to UAVs?
• RQ3 What solutions are proposed to mitigate interference, improve mobility, and enable UAV identification in LTE networks?
• RQ4 What Release-15 features were standardized to support connected drones?

Key findings

• The study identifies key UAV connectivity requirements and performance scenarios for evaluating LTE networks.
• Radio channel models and challenges for LTE-based UAV connectivity are summarized.
• Interference detection/mitigation, mobility enhancements, and UAV identification are highlighted as potential solutions.
• Release-15 work-item phases included several features aimed at enhancing LTE support for connected drones.