Next-Generation Sensing: The Space–Air–Ground (SAG) Networks Revolutionizing Global Data Acquisition

Dear Colleagues,

The demand for global connectivity and robust data infrastructure has propelled the prominence of satellite (SAT) constellations and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as integral components of the interconnected world. These technologies offer extensive opportunities, including providing high-speed internet access to remote regions, supporting a diverse range of applications such as remote sensing, agriculture, and disaster management, in addition to facilitating seamless connectivity between individuals and devices worldwide. Integrating space–air–ground (SAG) networks in ground sensor data acquisition presents a promising approach, particularly in challenging and catastrophic environments. Moreover, SAG integration extends the coverage and scalability of sensor networks, enabling data collection in rugged terrain such as mountains and oceans. However, deploying and optimizing SAG integration for sensing applications presents significant technical challenges. This includes designing SAG-based sensor network architectures and communication protocols that ensure reliable and efficient communication. Developing high-performance SAG-based sensor networks capable of delivering high data rates, low latency, and superior reliability represents a challenging task. Furthermore, coordinating and integrating SAG-based sensor networks is crucial for establishing seamless connectivity and achieving wide coverage, considering the limited bandwidth resources of SATs and the finite energy resources of UAVs and ground sensors. Consequently, novel protocols, resource allocation mechanisms, and power control strategies should be developed to address the comprehensive requirements of SAG-based sensor networks, alongside the adaption of existing approaches.

This Special Issue (SI) aims to present a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in SAG networks, especially in sensing applications. This SI aims to tackle the most crucial challenges facing this field and will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Submissions of novel technical papers that address significant research challenges are welcome, and leading experts in the field of SAG-based sensor networks are invited to showcase their latest research and insights. This SI seeks high-quality original research articles, review articles, and perspectives that cover a wide range of topics within this field, including but not limited to:

• Designing and deploying SAG-based senor networks, with a focus on SAG network architecture for sensing applications.
• Optimizing satellite orbits, UAV altitudes and trajectories, ground sensor infrastructure, and communication protocols for the SAG-based sensor networks.
• Advancements in SAG-based sensing applications, such as the creation of new modulation and coding techniques, error correction methods, and interference mitigation strategies.
• Regulatory and policy challenges related to SAG networks, including spectrum allocation, licensing, and global coordination, especially for sensing applications.
• Societal effects of widespread SAG networks, including information access, privacy, and security.
• The use of SAG-based sensor networks in various domains, such as remote sensing, agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and transportation and traffic management, and the opportunities and challenges presented by these applications.
• Integrating SAG and ground sensors to provide global sensing applications, including network designs, physical layer solutions, radio resource management, communication protocols, and data security.
• The utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning in managing the operations and optimizing the performance of the SAG-based sensor networks.

Dr. Ehab Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud
Dr. Mohamed Rihan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• satellite communications
• ariel networks
• artificial intelligence