Analytical Modeling of UAV-to-Vehicle Propagation Channels in Built-Up Areas

TL;DR

This paper introduces an analytical 3D path loss model for UAV-to-vehicle communication in built-up areas, capable of handling various urban environments with high accuracy validated by ray-tracing simulations.

Contribution

The paper develops a general analytical model for UAV-to-ground propagation in built-up areas, accommodating arbitrary building deployments and validated through numerical and ray-tracing methods.

Findings

High accuracy of the analytical model demonstrated

Model applicable to suburban, urban, and dense urban areas

Provides quick and precise channel prediction tools

Abstract

This letter presents an analytical path loss model for air-ground (AG) propagation between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground-based vehicles. We consider built-up areas, such as the ones defined by ITU-R. The three-dimensional (3D) path loss model is based on propagation conditions and essential parameters are derived by using geometric methods. Owing to the generality, the analytical model is capable of arbitrary deployments of buildings, such as suburban, urban and dense urban. The analytical model is evaluated numerically, and validations conducted by ray-tracing simulations show the high accuracy of the proposed model. The closed-form analytical formulas provide a useful tool for quick and accurate prediction of UAV-to-vehicle propagation channels.