Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios
The integration of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) with non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly those enabled by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drone-based platforms, has emerged as a transformative approach to enhance 6G connectivity in high-mobility scenarios. UAV-assisted NTN...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/486 |
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| author | Muhammad Shoaib Ayub Muhammad Saadi Insoo Koo |
| author_facet | Muhammad Shoaib Ayub Muhammad Saadi Insoo Koo |
| author_sort | Muhammad Shoaib Ayub |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The integration of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) with non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly those enabled by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drone-based platforms, has emerged as a transformative approach to enhance 6G connectivity in high-mobility scenarios. UAV-assisted NTNs offer flexible deployment, dynamic altitude control, and rapid network reconfiguration, making them ideal candidates for RIS-based signal optimization. However, the high mobility of UAVs and their three-dimensional trajectory dynamics introduce unique challenges in maintaining robust, low-latency links and seamless handovers. This paper presents a comprehensive performance analysis of RIS-assisted UAV-based NTNs, focusing on optimizing RIS phase shifts to maximize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), throughput, energy efficiency, and reliability under UAV mobility constraints. A joint optimization framework is proposed that accounts for UAV path loss, aerial shadowing, interference, and user mobility patterns, tailored specifically for aerial communication networks. Extensive simulations are conducted across various UAV operation scenarios, including urban air corridors, rural surveillance routes, drone swarms, emergency response, and aerial delivery systems. The results reveal that RIS deployment significantly enhances the SINR and throughput while navigating energy and latency trade-offs in real time. These findings offer vital insights for deploying RIS-enhanced aerial networks in 6G, supporting mission-critical drone applications and next-generation autonomous systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-21ba4fef3358424c85c0f8e54f625f73 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-21ba4fef3358424c85c0f8e54f625f732025-08-20T03:35:27ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-07-019748610.3390/drones9070486Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication ScenariosMuhammad Shoaib Ayub0Muhammad Saadi1Insoo Koo2Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, 93-Daehak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan 44610, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Computer Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UKDepartment of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, 93-Daehak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan 44610, Republic of KoreaThe integration of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) with non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly those enabled by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drone-based platforms, has emerged as a transformative approach to enhance 6G connectivity in high-mobility scenarios. UAV-assisted NTNs offer flexible deployment, dynamic altitude control, and rapid network reconfiguration, making them ideal candidates for RIS-based signal optimization. However, the high mobility of UAVs and their three-dimensional trajectory dynamics introduce unique challenges in maintaining robust, low-latency links and seamless handovers. This paper presents a comprehensive performance analysis of RIS-assisted UAV-based NTNs, focusing on optimizing RIS phase shifts to maximize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), throughput, energy efficiency, and reliability under UAV mobility constraints. A joint optimization framework is proposed that accounts for UAV path loss, aerial shadowing, interference, and user mobility patterns, tailored specifically for aerial communication networks. Extensive simulations are conducted across various UAV operation scenarios, including urban air corridors, rural surveillance routes, drone swarms, emergency response, and aerial delivery systems. The results reveal that RIS deployment significantly enhances the SINR and throughput while navigating energy and latency trade-offs in real time. These findings offer vital insights for deploying RIS-enhanced aerial networks in 6G, supporting mission-critical drone applications and next-generation autonomous systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/486reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs)non-terrestrial networks (NTNs)6G networksdrone communication systemsunmanned aerial vehicles |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Shoaib Ayub Muhammad Saadi Insoo Koo Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios Drones reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) 6G networks drone communication systems unmanned aerial vehicles |
| title | Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios |
| title_full | Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios |
| title_fullStr | Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios |
| title_short | Optimization of RIS-Assisted 6G NTN Architectures for High-Mobility UAV Communication Scenarios |
| title_sort | optimization of ris assisted 6g ntn architectures for high mobility uav communication scenarios |
| topic | reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) 6G networks drone communication systems unmanned aerial vehicles |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/486 |
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