Advances in Satellite/UAV Communications
A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Networks".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 41
Special Issue Editors
Interests: satellite communication; channel coding; communication security; reinforcement learning
Interests: new multi-antenna communication, air-space-ground integrated network, communication and sensing integration, wireless AI
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As key enablers of next-generation communication systems, satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications are becoming increasingly vital for the ubiquitous connections of the future Internet of Everything. These platforms, however, face unique challenges due to inherent constraints such as limited power, compact size, and restricted bandwidth, coupled with characteristics such as long transmission distances, high terminal mobility, and rapidly time-varying channels. How to build novel network architectures, adaptive coding/modulation schemes, and intelligent resource management solutions to enhance transmission efficiency and reliability under these conditions remains a critical challenge. Furthermore, operating in wide-area and open environments makes satellite and UAV communications more vulnerable to eavesdropping and information interception, posing significant security risks. Designing robust solutions to ensure secure data transmission is an urgent priority. To address these issues, this Special Issue aims to explore the latest innovative technologies and methodologies, including but not limited to efficient resource allocation, adaptive modulation schemes, physical-layer security, and AI-driven optimization techniques in the area of satellite/UAV communications and networking. Contributions addressing integration with emerging 6G paradigms such as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), and edge intelligence are particularly encouraged.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Satellite/UAV communication network architecture;
- Resource allocation and network control;
- Advanced channel coding/modulation schemes;
- Integrated sensing and communication;
- Physical-layer security for satellite/UAV communications;
- Grant-free massive/random access techniques;
- AI-empowered solutions for satellite/UAV network orchestration;
- Mobility and interference management;
- Routing/MAC protocols for satellite/UAV networks;
- Edge computing and service provisioning.
Dr. Zhao Chen
Dr. Ji Wang
Dr. Zhe Ji
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.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- satellite/UAV communication
- efficient resource allocation
- physical-layer security
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