Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are expected to be an integral part of wireless networks, and determining collision-free trajectory in multi-UAV non-cooperative scenarios while collecting data from distributed Internet of Things (IoT) nodes is a challenging task. In this paper, we consider a path planning optimization problem to maximize the collected data from multiple IoT nodes under realistic constraints. The considered multi-UAV non-cooperative scenarios involve random number of other UAVs in addition to the typical UAV, and UAVs do not communicate or share information among each other. We translate the problem into a Markov decision process (MDP) with parameterized states, permissible actions, and detailed reward functions. Dueling double deep Q-network (D3QN) is proposed to learn the decision making policy for the typical UAV, without any prior knowledge of the environment (e.g., channel propagation model and locations of the obstacles) and other UAVs (e.g., their missions, movements, and policies). The proposed algorithm can adapt to various missions in various scenarios, e.g., different numbers and positions of IoT nodes, different amount of data to be collected, and different numbers and positions of other UAVs. Numerical results demonstrate that real-time navigation can be efficiently performed with high success rate, high data collection rate, and low collision rate.
12 November 2019 in IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking
In this paper, we provide an analytical framework to analyze heterogeneous downlink millimeter-wave (mm-wave) cellular networks consisting of K tiers of randomly located base stations (BSs), where each tier operates in an mm-wave frequency band. Signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) coverage probability is derived for the entire network using tools from stochastic geometry. The distinguishing features of mm-wave communications, such as directional beamforming, and having different path loss laws for line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight links are incorporated into the coverage analysis by assuming averaged biased-received power association and Nakagami fading. By using the noise-limited assumption for mmwave networks, a simpler expression requiring the computation of only one numerical integral for coverage probability is obtained. Also, the effect of beamforming alignment errors on the coverage probability analysis is investigated to get insight on the performance in practical scenarios. Downlink rate coverage probability is derived as well to get more insights on the performance of the network. Moreover, the effect of deploying low-power smaller cells and the impact of biasing factor on energy efficiency is analyzed. Finally, a hybrid cellular network operating in both mm-wave and μ-wave frequency bands is addressed.
18 October 2019 in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating as aerial base stations (BSs) has emerged as a promising solution especially in scenarios requiring rapid deployments (e.g., in the cases of crowded hotspots, sporting events, emergencies, natural disasters) in order to assist the ground BSs. In this paper, an analytical framework is provided to analyze the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) coverage probability of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assisted cellular networks with clustered user equipments (UEs). Locations of UAVs and ground BSs are modeled as Poison point processes (PPPs), and UEs are assumed to be distributed according to a Poisson cluster process (PCP) around the projections of UAVs on the ground. Initially, the complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) and probability density function (PDF) of path losses for both UAV and ground BS tiers are derived. Subsequently, association probabilities with each tier are obtained. SINR coverage probability is derived for the entire network using tools from stochastic geometry. Finally, area spectral efficiency (ASE) of the entire network is determined, and SINR coverage probability expression for a more general model is presented by considering that UAVs are located at different heights. Via numerical results, we have shown that UAV height and pathloss exponents play important roles on the coverage performance. Moreover, coverage probability can be improved with smaller number of UAVs, while better area spectral efficiency is achieved by employing more UAVs and having UEs more compactly clustered around the UAVs.