UAV Communications in the 6G Era: From Near-Field Theory to Intelligent Networking

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications have experienced rapid development and widespread adoption across diverse application scenarios, owing to their unparalleled advantages in on-demand deployment and operational flexibility. Nevertheless, with the advent of 6G networks, this burgeoning field faces numerous technical challenges and fundamental limitations that warrant in-depth investigation.

From a technological perspective, the integration of cutting-edge innovations such as extremely large-scale antenna arrays (XL-arrays), reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), edge intelligence paradigms, and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems into UAV communication infrastructures presents both unprecedented opportunities and formidable complexities. These technological convergences necessitate the development of sophisticated resource management algorithms and optimization frameworks to ensure network efficiency. Furthermore, the utilization of high-frequency spectrum and large-scale antenna arrays has precipitated a paradigm shift from traditional far-field UAV communications to near-field communications (NFC), thereby introducing fundamentally different signal propagation models that require reevaluation of existing communication theories.

From a system design perspective, optimal trajectory planning, whether in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) spaces, remains a critical research challenge for both cellular-connected UAV systems and UAV-assisted communication architectures. As 6G networks evolve, dedicated UAV platforms will encounter increasingly complex operational environments, making the comprehensive consideration of air-ground channel characteristics, stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements, and multi-UAV cooperative mechanisms essential components in joint trajectory optimization and network resource allocation strategies.

This Special Issue invites original research contributions addressing all theoretical and practical aspects of UAV communications and networks. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Near-field theories and implementations for UAV networks;
• Emerging antenna technologies for UAV communications;
• Trajectory optimization approaches;
• Advanced multiple access techniques;
• AI enhanced UAV communications;
• Spectrum and energy efficiency;
• Wireless resource management methods;
• Channel knowledge map for navigation;
• Air-ground channel modelling for complex environment;
• Cooperative control of UAV swarms;
• Next-generation wireless technologies for UAV networks;
• Low-altitude logistics in smart cities;
• Other promising future applications.

Prof. Dr. Dingcheng Yang
Prof. Dr. Tiankui Zhang
Dr. Yu Xu
Dr. Fahui Wu
Dr. Huabing Lu
Guest Editors

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• UAV communications
• trajectory optimization
• wireless technology
• multiple access
• antenna technology
• AI
• wireless resource management
• near-field theory
• channel knowledge map
• UAV swarms