Network-Connected UAV Communications: Potentials and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper reviews the potentials and challenges of network-connected UAV communications, analyzing signal characteristics, design considerations, and providing case studies to demonstrate feasibility.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive analysis of UAV communication requirements, architecture, and optimization strategies, including antenna design and network selection, with practical case studies.

Findings

Feasibility of network-connected UAV communications demonstrated

Analysis of signal transmission and interference characteristics

Design considerations for antennas and network optimization

Abstract

This article explores the use of network-connected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications as a compelling solution to achieve high-rate information transmission and support ultra-reliable UAV remote command and control. We first discuss the use cases of UAVs and the resulting communication requirements, accompanied with a flexible architecture for network-connected UAV communications. Then, the signal transmission and interference characteristics are theoretically analyzed, and subsequently we highlight the design and optimization considerations, including antenna design, non-orthogonal multiple access communications, as well as network selection and association optimization. Finally, case studies are provided to show the feasibility of network-connected UAV communications.