Stochastic Geometry-Based Analysis of Airborne Base Stations with Laser-powered UAVs

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the performance of laser-powered UAV communication systems using stochastic geometry, deriving energy coverage probabilities and system requirements for reliable operation.

Contribution

It introduces a stochastic geometry framework to evaluate energy and communication coverage in laser-powered UAV networks, including joint energy and SNR analysis.

Findings

At least 6 LBDs per 10 km^2 are needed for reliable energy coverage.

Derived expressions for energy coverage probability based on system parameters.

Analyzed joint energy and SNR coverage using power splitting technique.

Abstract

One of the most promising solutions to the problem of limited flight time of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is providing the UAVs with power through laser beams emitted from Laser Beam Directors (LBDs) deployed on the ground. In this letter, we study the performance of a laser-powered UAV-enabled communication system using tools from stochastic geometry. We first derive the energy coverage probability, which is defined as the probability of the UAV receiving enough energy to ensure successful operation (hovering and communication). Our results show that to ensure energy coverage, the distance between the UAV and its dedicated LBD must be below a certain threshold, for which we derive an expression as a function of the system parameters. Considering simultaneous information and power transmission through the laser beam using power splitting technique, we also derive the joint energy and the Signal-to-noise Ratio (SNR) coverage probability. The analytical and simulation results reveal some interesting insights. For instance, our results show that we need at least 6 LBDs/10km^2 to ensure a reliable performance in terms of energy coverage probability.