IP Library Granted Patent US 12,635,003
Granted Patent B2
US 12,635,003 · App. 17/925,973 · Granted May 19, 2026

Methods and apparatus for C2 communications security establishment, modification and revocation

Inventors: Samir Ferdi (Kirkland, CA); Alec Brusilovsky (Downingtown, PA); Michelle Perras (Montreal, CA); Guanzhou Wang (Brossard, CA)
Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
H04W76/10G08G5/56H04W12/06H04W84/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,635,003
App. No.
17/925,973
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems, architectures and interfaces for performing secure command and control (C2) communications in an Unmanned Aerial System (CAS) including a UAV controller (UAV-C) are provided. The method includes on condition that the UAV has completed a registration procedure with a network, transmitting, to a session management function (SMF) of the network, a packet data unit (PDU) session establishment request message; performing a secondary authentication, with any of the USS and the UTM, via the SMF; receiving a PDU session establishment accept message including C2 security information; and establishing C2 communications security with the peer UAV-C using the C2 security information.

Claims (23)

1 . A method implemented in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

sending a packet data unit (PDU) session establishment request message, wherein the PDU session establishment request message comprises an indication of a UAV identity (ID) of the UAV for command and control (C2) communication establishment between the UAV and a first UAV controller (UAV-C);

receiving a PDU session establishment accept message, wherein the PDU session establishment accept message comprises C2 security information for C2 communications between the UAV and the first UAV-C; and

receiving a PDU session modification message, wherein the PDU session modification message comprises second C2 security information for C2 communications with a second UAV-C.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a first extended protocol configuration option (EPCO) information element (IE) comprises the PDU session establishment request message, and wherein a second EPCO IE comprises the PDU session establishment accept message.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein a third EPCO IE comprises the PDU session establishment modification message.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PDU session establishment accept message is received via a cellular communication network.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the PDU session establishment message is sent to a session management function (SMF) of the cellular communication network.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the C2 security information comprises unmanned aerial systems (UAS) key material.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PDU session establishment accept message further comprises one or more of a UAS temporary ID and an internet protocol (IP) address associated with the first UAV-C.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the PDU session establishment modification message further comprises a second IP address associated with the second UAV-C.

9 . An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a processor configured to:

send a packet data unit (PDU) session establishment request message, wherein the PDU session establishment request message comprises an indication of a UAV identity (ID) of the UAV for command and control (C2) communication establishment between the UAV and a first UAV controller (UAV-C);

receive a PDU session establishment accept message, wherein the PDU session establishment accept message comprises C2 security information for C2 communications between the UAV and the first UAV-C; and

receive a PDU session modification message, wherein the PDU session modification message comprises second C2 security information for C2 communications with a second UAV-C.

10 . The UAV of claim 9 , wherein a first extended protocol configuration option (EPCO) information element (IE) comprises the PDU session establishment request message, and wherein a second EPCO IE comprises the PDU session establishment accept message.

11 . The UAV of claim 10 , wherein a third EPCO IE comprises the PDU session establishment modification message.

12 . The UAV of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the PDU session establishment accept message via a cellular communication network.

13 . The UAV of claim 12 , wherein the PDU session establishment message is sent to a session management function (SMF) of the cellular communication network.

14 . The UAV of claim 9 , wherein the C2 security information comprises unmanned aerial systems (UAS) key material.

15 . The UAV of claim 9 , wherein the PDU session establishment accept message further comprises one or more of a UAS temporary ID and an internet protocol (IP) address associated with the first UAV-C.

16 . The UAV of claim 15 , wherein the PDU session establishment modification message further comprises a second IP address associated with the second UAV-C.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2023
From: IDAC HOLDINGS, INC.
To: INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062527/0562 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 23, 2022
From: FERDI, SAMIR; BRUSILOVSKY, ALEC; PERRAS, MICHELLE; WANG, GUANZHOU
To: IDAC HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061860/0899 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63109962 · Nov 5, 2020
Provisional Application 63028118 · May 21, 2020
Related Publication 20230199863A1 · Jun 22, 2023
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