Advances in UAV Networks Towards 6G

Dear Colleagues,

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been widely accepted as one of the potential technologies for future six-generation (6G) networks. On the one hand, UAVs can serve as aerial relays and access points (APs) to extend the coverage range of networks and provide communication connectivity. On the other hand, UAVs can also be flexibly deployed as aerial servers to provide computing ability, such as mobile edge computing-enabled UAV networks. Different from ground base stations in cellular networks, UAVs are characterized by the high mobility, which brings new optimization perspectives, such as cooperative control, positioning, and trajectory design. Furthermore, UAV networks are characterized by unique channel attributes of UAV–ground links, asymmetric quality of service (QoS) demands for downlink commands and uplink data transmission, and energy limitations. These distinctive features make the deployment of UAVs in future 6G networks a challenging issue that requires innovative strategies to ensure effective integration and operation.

The aim of this Special Issue is to spotlight the latest advancements in UAV network technologies toward 6G integration and emphasize their real-world applications within communication systems. This Special Issue seeks to attract academics, researchers, professionals, and engineers working on, but not limited to, the following key areas within UAV networks and 6G communication for future sustainable and efficient connectivity solutions.

This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research, innovative methods, and practical applications of UAV networks towards 6G. The scope of topics includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Joint trajectory design and resource allocation for UAV-assisted wireless communications;
• UAV swarm in 6G wireless applications;
• Joint control and optimization in satellite-UAV-ground networks;
• Cooperative positioning and navigation in UAV networks;
• Data collection in UAV networks;
• Energy-efficient UAV communications;
• Positioning and localization in UAV networks;
• Channel modeling for UAV-ground and UAV-UAV communications;
• Three-dimensional beamforming for cellular-connected UAVs;
• Massive MIMO/millimeter wave communications for UAVs;
• Security in UAV-aided wireless networks.

Prof. Dr. Changchuan Yin
Dr. Zhaohui Yang
Dr. Mingzhe Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• UAV swarm
• integrated space–air–ground networks
• positioning
• trajectory design
• data collection