Communication and networking technologies for UAVs: A survey

TL;DR

This survey reviews recent UAV communication technologies, discussing challenges, solutions, and future directions, emphasizing integration with cellular networks, IoT, and AI to enable diverse drone applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of UAV communication methods, exploring recent advancements, challenges, and open issues, with insights into integrating machine learning, security, and network architectures.

Findings

Highlighting the need for more drone-to-drone communication research

Identifying challenges in secure, long-lasting UAV communications

Exploring integration of UAVs with cellular and IoT networks

Abstract

With the advancement in drone technology, in just a few years, drones will be assisting humans in every domain. But there are many challenges to be tackled, communication being the chief one. This paper aims at providing insights into the latest UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) communication technologies through investigation of suitable task modules, antennas, resource handling platforms, and network architectures. Additionally, we explore techniques such as machine learning and path planning to enhance existing drone communication methods. Encryption and optimization techniques for ensuring long lasting and secure communications, as well as for power management, are discussed. Moreover, applications of UAV networks for different contextual uses ranging from navigation to surveillance, URLLC (Ultra reliable and low latency communications), edge computing and work related to artificial intelligence are examined. In particular, the intricate interplay between UAV, advanced cellular communication, and internet of things constitutes one of the focal points of this paper. The survey encompasses lessons learned, insights, challenges, open issues, and future directions in UAV communications. Our literature review reveals the need for more research work on drone to drone and drone to device communications.