Sum Capacity Maximization in Multi-Hop Mobile Networks with Flying Base Stations

TL;DR

This paper introduces an analytical method for optimizing the placement and user association of multiple flying base stations in multi-hop UAV networks, significantly improving sum capacity under practical constraints.

Contribution

It develops a low-complexity optimization approach for multi-hop UAV networks that accounts for backhaul constraints and enhances sum capacity compared to existing solutions.

Findings

Sum capacity increased by 23%-38% with the proposed method.

The approach effectively manages backhaul and mobility constraints.

It extends existing solutions to multi-hop UAV networks.

Abstract

Deployment of multi-hop network of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) acting as flying base stations (FlyBSs) presents a remarkable potential to effectively enhance the performance of wireless networks. Such potential enhancement, however, relies on an efficient positioning of the FlyBSs as well as a management of resources. In this paper, we study the problem of sum capacity maximization in an extended model for mobile networks where multiple FlyBSs are deployed between the ground base station and the users. Due to an inclusion of multiple hops, the existing solutions for two-hop networks cannot be applied due to the incurred backhaul constraints for each hop. To this end, we propose an analytical approach based on an alternating optimization of the FlyBSs' 3D positions as well as the association of the users to the FlyBSs over time. The proposed optimization is provided under practical constraints on the FlyBS's flying speed and altitude as well as the constraints on the achievable capacity at the backhaul link. The proposed solution is of a low complexity and extends the sum capacity by 23%-38% comparing to state-of-the-art solutions.