System and method to improve carrier aggregation efficiency for aerial user equipment over terrestrial 5g networks

A method comprising:

• connecting to a primary cell site;
• transmitting to the primary cell site one or more potential secondary cell sites and the power measured from each of the one or more potential secondary cell sites;
• forwarding timing advances from each of the one or more potential secondary cell sites to the primary cell site;
• receiving a selection of one or more secondary cell sites from the one or more potential secondary cell sites;
• and
• connecting to the one or more secondary cell sites.

A system comprising:

• a primary cell site and a plurality of secondary cell sites;
• an input-output interface in communication with the primary cell site;
• a processor associated with the primary cell site and coupled to the input-output interface wherein the processor is further coupled to a memory, the memory having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
• receiving bandwidth demands from an unmanned aerial vehicle;
• receiving a set of potential secondary cell sites and timing advances associated with the potential secondary cell sites;
• grouping the set of potential secondary cell sites into timing advance groups;
• selecting secondary cell sites from the set of potential secondary cell sites;
• and
• causing the secondary cell sites to establish communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle.