Communication network devices, communication network system and method for monitoring unmanned aerial systems in a communication network

A communication network device hosting a mobility management device, the communication network device comprising interface circuitry, at least one processor and memory comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor whereby the communication network device is operative configured to:

• receive, from a lawful interception administration function, LI-ADMF, a request to provide information related to at least one unmanned aerial system, UAS, hosted communication device, registered with a communication network;
• determine information related to at least one UAS hosted communication device registered with the communication network, determining the information, the communication network device comprising being further configured to:
• determine whether at least one flying rule is being broken by an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, hosting the communication device,
• determine that the communication device is acting as an integrated access and backhaul, IAB, node,
• determine that the communication device is hosted by the UAV, and
• determine a change has occurred in a subscriber identifier of the communication device having a subscriber subscribed to UAV service;
• and
• send the information to the LI-ADMF or to a mediation and delivery function, MDF, for forwarding to a law enforcement management function, LEMF.

A communication network device hosting a user subscription management device, the communication network device comprising interface circuitry, at least one processor and memory comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor whereby the communication network device is configured to:

• receive a request from a mobility management device for access and mobility subscription, AM, information for a communication device;
• send AM information for the UE to the mobility management device, the AM information including user profile information indicative of whether the communication device has a subscriber that is authorized for subscribing to unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, services;
• and
• receive a request from a lawful interception administration function, LI-ADMF, to provide information related to at least one unmanned aerial system, UAS, hosted communication device, registered with a communication network, the request received from the LI-ADMF including at least one of:
• a request to receive a list of all communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services;
• a request to provide information to at least one mediation and delivery function, MDF, about new communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services;
• or
• a request to provide information to at least one MDF about a change of a subscriber identity module, SIM, in a communication device having a subscriber that is subscribed to UAV services;
• and the communication network device being further configured to:
• send a list of all communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services to the LI-ADMF;
• and
• send to at the least one MDF at least one of:
• information about new communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services;
• or
• information about a change of a subscriber identity module, SIM, in a communication device having a subscriber that is subscribed to UAV services.

A method for monitoring unmanned aerial systems, UAS, in a communication network, the method comprising:

• by a lawful interception administration function, LI-ADMF, network element, NE:
• receiving, from a law enforcement agency, LEA, a request to receive information related to at least one unmanned aerial system, UAS, hosted communication device registered with the communication network;
• sending a request to a mobility management device to provide the information, the request to provide information including at least one of:
• a request to receive a list of all communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services;
• a request to provide information to at least one mediation and delivery function, MDF, about new communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services;
• a request to provide information to at least one MDF about a change of a subscriber identity module, SIM, in a communication device having a subscriber that is subscribed to UAV services;
• a request to provide information to at least one MDF about communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services violating at least one flying rule;
• a request to provide information to at least one MDF about communication devices having subscribers that are subscribed to UAV services being used as an integrated access and backhaul, IAB, node;
• or
• a request to provide information to at least one MDF about at least one UAS hosted communication device having a subscriber that is not subscribed to UAV services;
• receiving part of the information from the mobility management device;
• and
• sending the received information to a law enforcement management function, LEMF;
• by the mobility management device:
• receiving, from the LI-ADMF, the request to provide information related to at least one UAS hosted communication device registered with the communication network;
• determining information related to at least one UAS hosted communication device registered with the communication network, determining the information, comprising:
• determining whether at least one flying rule is being broken by an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, hosting the communication device;
• determining that the communication device is acting as integrated access and backhaul, IAB, node;
• determining that the communication device is hosted by the UAV;
• and
• determining a change has occurred in a subscriber identifier of the communication device having a subscriber subscribed to UAV service;
• and
• sending the information to the LI-ADMF or to a mediation and delivery function, MDF, for forwarding to a law enforcement management function, LEMF;
• by a user subscription management device:
• receiving a request from the mobility management device for access and mobility subscription, AM, information for a communication device;
• and
• sending AM information for the communication device to the mobility management device, the AM information including user profile information indicative of whether the communication device has a subscriber that is authorized for subscribing to unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, services;
• and
• by a user payload data management device:
• receiving from a communication network node a copy of communications data exchanged on a command and control communication link between a first communication device, hosted by an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and a second communication device, hosted by a UAV controller, the UAV and the UAV controller forming an unmanned aerial system, UAS;
• and
• sending content of communication messages including the copy of communications data to a mediation and delivery function, MDF, for forwarding the copy of communications data to a law enforcement management function, LEMF.