Digital Technologies and Intelligent Systems for Advanced Communication Networks
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 January 2026 | Viewed by 12
Special Issue Editors
Interests: unmanned aerial vehicles; indoor and outdoor localization applications; remote train control systems; the Internet of Things; wireless networks; 5G; quality of service (QoS); quality of experience (QoE); broadcast networks; network planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: 5G; 6G; Network 2030; mobile radio systems; wired networks; Internet of Things; localization systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: 4G, 5G and 6G wireless/wired networks; signal processing and data analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Modern communication networks are evolving rapidly to meet the increasing demands of ultra-reliable, high-throughput, low-latency, and intelligent connectivity. With the evolution of 5G, 6G, edge computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), traditional networking models are being fundamentally transformed. Digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), blockchain, and software-defined networking (SDN), are playing a central role in enabling this transition. Furthermore advanced communication networks now serve as the backbone for critical infrastructure, autonomous systems, smart cities, Industry 4.0, and even drone-based services across multiple sectors. However, challenges such as scalability, security, energy efficiency, and dynamic adaptability continue to push the limits of current technological capabilities. In order to address these emerging complexities, it is essential to investigate new architectures, platforms, and AI-driven solutions.
By gathering interdisciplinary contributions, the Special Issue will foster a comprehensive understanding of how digital innovations can address the technical challenges of future communication systems and unlock new applications across multiple vertical sectors. It will also highlight the role of AI/ML in enhancing network intelligence, automation, and security, as well as explore specific application domains such as drone communication networks, smart transportation, and mission-critical IoT deployments.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Communication network architectures, platforms, and protocols for next-generation networks.
- AI/ML algorithms for network optimization, traffic management, and predictive maintenance.
- Software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) for flexible networks.
- Edge and fog computing integration with communication networks.
- Cybersecurity and trust management in digital communication infrastructures.
- Blockchain and decentralized technologies for secure communication.
- Drone communication networks: design, control, and application scenarios.
- Applications of advanced networks in smart cities, industrial automation, healthcare, and transportation.
- 5G/6G technologies and their impact on digital network evolution.
- Digital twins for communication network planning and management.
- Energy-efficient design for sustainable communication networks.
- Cross-layer design and optimization for heterogeneous networks.
- Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.
- Metaverse, AR/VR/xR technologies and related applications.
Dr. Alessandro Vizzarri
Dr. Romeo Giuliano
Dr. Franco Mazzenga
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Keywords
- advanced communication networks
- digital technologies
- AI for networks
- ML for networks
- drone networks
- 5G/6G communication
- edge computing
- network security
- software-defined networking
- blockchain for networks
- IoT communication
- network optimization
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