UAV-Enabled Integrated Sensing and Communication in Maritime Emergency Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a joint optimization scheme for UAV-based maritime emergency networks that enhances communication and sensing performance by optimizing trajectory, subcarrier assignment, and power allocation.

Contribution

It proposes a multicarrier-division duplex scheme and a two-stage optimization process for UAV trajectory and resource allocation in maritime ISAC networks.

Findings

Improved end-to-end communication rate compared to benchmarks.

Effective joint fronthaul-access resource management.

Enhanced sensing QoS in maritime emergency scenarios.

Abstract

With line-of-sight mode deployment and fast response, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), equipped with the cutting-edge integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) technique, is poised to deliver high-quality communication and sensing services in maritime emergency scenarios. In practice, however, the real-time transmission of ISAC signals at the UAV side cannot be realized unless the reliable wireless fronthaul link between the terrestrial base station and UAV are available. This paper proposes a multicarrier-division duplex based joint fronthaul-access scheme, where mutually orthogonal subcarrier sets are leveraged to simultaneously support four types of fronthaul/access transmissions. In order to maximize the end-to-end communication rate while maintaining an adequate sensing quality-of-service (QoS) in such a complex scheme, the UAV trajectory, subcarrier assignment and power allocation are jointly optimized. The overall optimization process is designed in two stages. As the emergency area is usually far away from the coast, the optimal initial operating position for the UAV is first found. Once the UAV passes the initial operating position, the UAV's trajectory and resource allocation are optimized during the mission period to maximize the end-to-end communication rate under the constraint of minimum sensing QoS. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in dealing with the joint fronthaul-access optimization problem in maritime ISAC networks, offering the advantages over benchmark schemes.