A Service-Based Architecture for enabling UAV enhanced Network Services

TL;DR

This paper explores UAVs as integral components of network infrastructure, detailing deployment options, necessary architectural enhancements, and evaluating their performance as edge cloud nodes for improved network services.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive service-based architecture supporting UAV network services, including deployment strategies, architectural modifications, and performance evaluation through a testbed.

Findings

UAVs can serve as airborne radio, backhaul, and core network equipment.

Enhancements in SBA are necessary for UAV navigation, air traffic management, and connectivity.

Testbed results show UAVs as effective edge cloud nodes for network control.

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of enhanced network services, while emphasizing on the role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as core network equipment with radio and backhaul capabilities. Initially, we elaborate the various deployment options, focusing on UAVs as airborne radio, backhaul and core network equipment, pointing out the benefits and limitations. We then analyze the required enhancements in the Service-Based Architecture (SBA) to support UAV services including UAV navigation and air traffic management, weather forecasting and UAV connectivity management. The use of airborne UAVs network services is assessed via qualitative means, considering the impact on vehicular applications. Finally, an evaluation has been conducted via a testbed implementation, to explore the performance of UAVs as edge cloud nodes, hosting an Aerial Control System (ACS) function responsible for the control and orchestration of a UAV fleet.