Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for computing plural-network coverage data for connecting a mobile communication device. The apparatus comprises an input interface configured for acquiring current network-specific coverage data respectively from the plurality of communication networks and circuitry configured for combining the acquired current network-specific coverage data from the plurality of communication networks and for determining, based on the combination, plural-network coverage data indicating current network connectivity at a location in the area. Further provided is a guiding node and a guiding method. The disclosed techniques may facilitate providing redundancy in connectivity for use cases having high demands on connectivity, including guidance and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for computing data for guiding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a three-dimensional (3D) air space. Stored network data including location data of network nodes as well as current network data including current connectivity data of the network nodes are acquired. By correlating the stored and current network data, current 3D coverage data indicating current network coverage along three dimensions in the 3D flight area (e.g. a handover probability or an interference caused by a UAV) are determined. The techniques of the present disclosure enable modeling and predicting a current coverage and connectivity state of 3D air space and facilitates control and operation of UAV air traffic.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a server apparatus and method for detecting connectivity anomalies for guiding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The apparatus comprises an interface configured for acquiring a connectivity measurement result at a location in the flight area, and circuitry configured for determining a deviation between the measurement result and a predicted connectivity to detect a connectivity anomaly. Further provided is an aviation control node configured for receiving a report on a connectivity anomaly, and a method for an aviation control node. The present disclosure facilitates monitoring of a current connectivity state for providing safe and efficient UAV operation.