Urban RIS-Assisted HAP Networks: Performance Analysis Using Stochastic Geometry

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the performance of urban high-altitude platform networks supported by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, using stochastic geometry to model irregular placements and urban blockages, and derives analytical performance metrics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel statistical channel model and analytical expressions for coverage and capacity in RIS-assisted HAP networks with urban blockages.

Findings

Blockages mitigate interference, improving coverage.

Performance gains are validated through simulations.

System parameters significantly influence network performance.

Abstract

This paper studies a high-altitude platform (HAP) network supported by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs). The practical irregular placement of HAPs and RISs is modeled using homogeneous Poisson point processes, while buildings that cause blockages in urban areas are modeled as a Boolean scheme of rectangles. We introduce a novel approach to characterize the statistical channel based on generalized Beta prime distribution. Analytical expressions for coverage probability and ergodic capacity in an interference-limited system are derived and validated through Monte Carlo simulations. The findings show notable performance improvements and reveal the impact of various system parameters, including blockages effect which contribute in mitigating interference from the other visible HAPs. This proposed system could enhance connectivity and enable effective data offloading in urban environments.