Efficient Deployment of Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Optimal Wireless Coverage

TL;DR

This paper presents an optimized method for deploying multiple UAVs with directional antennas to maximize wireless coverage and coverage lifetime, considering interference mitigation and coverage probability constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a novel deployment strategy using circle packing theory for 3D UAV placement to optimize coverage and lifetime while managing interference.

Findings

Optimal UAV altitude depends on antenna beamwidth and coverage needs.

Minimum UAV count for target coverage is quantified.

Tradeoffs between coverage, interference, and UAV number are analyzed.

Abstract

In this paper, the efficient deployment of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with directional antennas acting as wireless base stations that provide coverage for ground users is analyzed. First, the downlink coverage probability for UAVs as a function of the altitude and the antenna gain is derived. Next, using circle packing theory, the three-dimensional locations of the UAVs is determined in a way that the total coverage area is maximized while maximizing the coverage lifetime of the UAVs. Our results show that, in order to mitigate interference, the altitude of the UAVs must be properly adjusted based on the beamwidth of the directional antenna as well as coverage requirements. Furthermore, the minimum number of UAVs needed to guarantee a target coverage probability for a given geographical area is determined. Numerical results evaluate the various tradeoffs involved in various UAV deployment scenarios.