Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a promising technology to enhance the performance and functionality of mobile networks. UAVs can act as flying base stations, relays, or users to provide wireless services to ground users or devices. However, the optimal placement and trajectory design...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mohammad Javad Sobouti, Amirhossein Mohajerzadeh, Haitham Y. Adarbah, Zahra Rahimi, Hamed Ahmadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Vehicles
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/6/4/86
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850037098371874816
author Mohammad Javad Sobouti
Amirhossein Mohajerzadeh
Haitham Y. Adarbah
Zahra Rahimi
Hamed Ahmadi
author_facet Mohammad Javad Sobouti
Amirhossein Mohajerzadeh
Haitham Y. Adarbah
Zahra Rahimi
Hamed Ahmadi
author_sort Mohammad Javad Sobouti
collection DOAJ
description Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a promising technology to enhance the performance and functionality of mobile networks. UAVs can act as flying base stations, relays, or users to provide wireless services to ground users or devices. However, the optimal placement and trajectory design of UAVs in mobile networks is a challenging problem, as it involves multiple objectives, constraints, and uncertainties. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art research on UAV placement and trajectory optimization in cellular networks. We first introduce the main objectives and challenges of UAV placement and trajectory optimization, such as maximizing coverage, throughput, energy efficiency, or reliability, while minimizing interference, delay, or cost. We also examine the primary models and assumptions employed for UAV placement and trajectory optimization, including channel models, mobility models, network architectures, and constraints. Additionally, we discuss the main methods and algorithms employed for UAV placement and trajectory optimization. These include optimization techniques, heuristic algorithms, machine learning approaches, and distributed solutions. Analytical results, numerical simulations, or experimental tests are further discussed as the main performance metrics and evaluation methods used for UAV placement and trajectory optimization. We also highlight the main applications and scenarios of UAV placement and trajectory optimization, such as cellular offloading, emergency communications, or aerial base stations. Finally, we identify some open problems and future research directions on UAV placement and trajectory optimization in cellular networks.
format Article
id doaj-art-285c1db7b14d496d8f5a3effe01ad698
institution DOAJ
issn 2624-8921
language English
publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Vehicles
spelling doaj-art-285c1db7b14d496d8f5a3effe01ad6982025-08-20T02:56:58ZengMDPI AGVehicles2624-89212024-10-01641769180010.3390/vehicles6040086Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution MethodsMohammad Javad Sobouti0Amirhossein Mohajerzadeh1Haitham Y. Adarbah2Zahra Rahimi3Hamed Ahmadi4Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, IranFaculty of Computing and Information Technology, Sohar University, Sohar 311, OmanCentre for Foundation Studies, Gulf College, Muscat 133, OmanFerdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, IranSchool of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, Heslington YO10 5DD, UKUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a promising technology to enhance the performance and functionality of mobile networks. UAVs can act as flying base stations, relays, or users to provide wireless services to ground users or devices. However, the optimal placement and trajectory design of UAVs in mobile networks is a challenging problem, as it involves multiple objectives, constraints, and uncertainties. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art research on UAV placement and trajectory optimization in cellular networks. We first introduce the main objectives and challenges of UAV placement and trajectory optimization, such as maximizing coverage, throughput, energy efficiency, or reliability, while minimizing interference, delay, or cost. We also examine the primary models and assumptions employed for UAV placement and trajectory optimization, including channel models, mobility models, network architectures, and constraints. Additionally, we discuss the main methods and algorithms employed for UAV placement and trajectory optimization. These include optimization techniques, heuristic algorithms, machine learning approaches, and distributed solutions. Analytical results, numerical simulations, or experimental tests are further discussed as the main performance metrics and evaluation methods used for UAV placement and trajectory optimization. We also highlight the main applications and scenarios of UAV placement and trajectory optimization, such as cellular offloading, emergency communications, or aerial base stations. Finally, we identify some open problems and future research directions on UAV placement and trajectory optimization in cellular networks.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/6/4/86flying base stationUAV-assisted 5GUAV positioningUAV trajectory planning
spellingShingle Mohammad Javad Sobouti
Amirhossein Mohajerzadeh
Haitham Y. Adarbah
Zahra Rahimi
Hamed Ahmadi
Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods
Vehicles
flying base station
UAV-assisted 5G
UAV positioning
UAV trajectory planning
title Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods
title_full Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods
title_fullStr Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods
title_full_unstemmed Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods
title_short Utilizing UAVs in Wireless Networks: Advantages, Challenges, Objectives, and Solution Methods
title_sort utilizing uavs in wireless networks advantages challenges objectives and solution methods
topic flying base station
UAV-assisted 5G
UAV positioning
UAV trajectory planning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/6/4/86
work_keys_str_mv AT mohammadjavadsobouti utilizinguavsinwirelessnetworksadvantageschallengesobjectivesandsolutionmethods
AT amirhosseinmohajerzadeh utilizinguavsinwirelessnetworksadvantageschallengesobjectivesandsolutionmethods
AT haithamyadarbah utilizinguavsinwirelessnetworksadvantageschallengesobjectivesandsolutionmethods
AT zahrarahimi utilizinguavsinwirelessnetworksadvantageschallengesobjectivesandsolutionmethods
AT hamedahmadi utilizinguavsinwirelessnetworksadvantageschallengesobjectivesandsolutionmethods