Placement and Allocation of Communications Resources in Slicing-aware Flying Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces SLICER, an algorithm for optimal placement and resource allocation in flying networks with network slicing, ensuring QoS requirements with minimal resource use, especially useful in disaster or outdoor event scenarios.

Contribution

The paper presents SLICER, a novel algorithm that optimally places UAV-based flying networks and allocates resources to meet QoS demands in slicing-aware environments.

Findings

SLICER effectively meets QoS targets in simulations.

SLICER minimizes resource usage while maintaining service quality.

Flying networks can be efficiently managed with the proposed approach.

Abstract

Network slicing emerged in 5G networks as a key component to enable the use of multiple services with different performance requirements on top of a shared physical network infrastructure. A major challenge lies on ensuring wireless coverage and enough communications resources to meet the target Quality of Service (QoS) levels demanded by these services, including throughput and delay guarantees. The challenge is exacerbated in temporary events, such as disaster management scenarios and outdoor festivities, where the existing wireless infrastructures may collapse, fail to provide sufficient wireless coverage, or lack the required communications resources. Flying networks, composed of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), emerged as a solution to provide on-demand wireless coverage and communications resources anywhere, anytime. However, existing solutions mostly rely on best-effort networks. The main contribution of this paper is SLICER, an algorithm enabling the placement and allocation of communications resources in slicing-aware flying networks. The evaluation carried out by means of ns-3 simulations shows SLICER can meet the targeted QoS levels, while using the minimum amount of communications resources.