Recent Advances in UAV Communications and Networks
A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensor Networks".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 888
Special Issue Editors
Interests: UAV communications; edge computing; integrated sensing and communication; reconfigurable intelligence surface
Interests: mobile computing networks; UAV communication network; moving edge collaborative computing; future network convergence and management; large-scale antenna and cooperative communication; wireless resource management
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications have grown rapidly and have been applied in many scenarios over the past few years. However, many challenges remain. On one hand, various emerging technologies such as extremely large-scale arrays (XL-arrays), reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), edge intelligence, and integrated sensing and communication will be integrated into UAV communications. This integration necessitates the development of more efficient yet low-complexity algorithms for managing network resources. Additionally, the use of high-spectrum and large-scale arrays shifts traditional far-field UAV communications into near-field communications (NFCs), resulting in different signal transmission models. On the other hand, advanced methods for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) UAV trajectory design are essential for UAV communications and networks. Furthermore, in future 6G systems, dedicated UAVs will face more complex environments. Factors such as the channel characteristics of air–ground links, quality of service (QoS) requirements, and multi-UAV cooperation would be considered in the joint optimization of UAV trajectories and network resource allocation.
This Special Issue calls for papers related to all aspects of UAV communications and networks. Topics of interest in this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:
- XL-array communications for UAV networks;
- RIS-assisted UAV communications or UAV-mounted RIS communications;
- Near-field communications for UAV networks;
- 3D beamforming for UAV communications and networks;
- Radio map techniques for UAV communications and networks;
- Edge intelligence for UAV communications and networks;
- Millimeter-wave or terahertz communications for UAV networks;
- Channel modeling for UAV–ground and UAV–UAV communications;
- Joint trajectory and resource optimization for UAV communications;
- Integrated sensing, communication, and computing for UAV networks;
- Machine learning-based optimization for UAV communications and networks;
- Spectrum/energy efficiency for UAV communications and networks;
- Physical layer security for UAV communications and networks;
- Cellular-connected UAV communications;
- Advanced trajectory optimization methods for UAV communications;
- Accurate propulsion energy consumption model for UAV 3D flight;
- UAV meets Internet of Things, Internet of Vehicles, AR/VR, etc.
Dr. Yu Xu
Prof. Dr. Tiankui Zhang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- UAV
- resource allocation
- trajectory design
- 6G
- optimization algorithm
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