Enhanced In-Flight Connectivity for Urban Air Mobility via LEO Satellite Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dynamic link allocation method for Urban Air Mobility that intelligently switches between terrestrial cellular and LEO satellite networks to maintain continuous, cost-effective connectivity.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel real-time, hybrid connectivity algorithm that balances cost and reliability for UAM using cellular and LEO satellite networks.

Findings

Effective minimization of data loss demonstrated

Optimal network switching based on real-time metrics

Hybrid connectivity enhances seamless communication

Abstract

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is the envisioned future of inter-city aerial transportation. This paper presents a novel, in-flight connectivity link allocation method for UAM, which dynamically switches between terrestrial cellular and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks based on real-time conditions. Our approach prefers cellular networks for cost efficiency, switching to LEO satellites under poor cellular conditions to ensure continuous UAM connectivity. By integrating real-time metrics like signal strength, network congestion, and flight trajectory into the selection process, our algorithm effectively balances cost, minimum data rate requirements, and continuity of communication. Numerical results validate minimization of data-loss while ensuring an optimal selection from the set of available above-threshold data rates at every time sample. Furthermore, insights derived from our study emphasize the importance of hybrid connectivity solutions in ensuring seamless, uninterrupted communication for future urban aerial vehicles.