Millimeter Wave Remote UAV Control and Communications for Public Safety Scenarios

Abstract

Communication and video capture from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer significant potential for assisting first responders in remote public safety settings. In such uses, millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless links can provide high throughput and low latency connectivity between the UAV and a remote command center. However, maintaining reliable aerial communication in the mmWave bands is challenging due to the need to support high speed beam tracking and overcome blockage. This paper provides a simulation study aimed at assessing the feasibility of public safety UAV connectivity through a 5G link at 28 GHz. Real flight motion traces are captured during maneuvers similar to those expected in public safety settings. The motions traces are then incorporated into a detailed mmWave network simulator that models the channel, blockage, beamforming and full 3GPP protocol stack. We show that 5G mmWave communications can deliver throughput up to 1 Gbps with consistent sub ms latency when the base station is located near the mission area, enabling remote offloading of the UAV control and perception algorithms.

5G Experimentation for Public Safety: Technologies, Facilities and Use Cases

“…UABS applications in PPDR, however, are associated with a number of research challenges. Research on optimal deployment strategies of UABS is underway with regards to coverage areas, altitude, fleet size, energy consumption and spectrum access (especially in urban settings) [34], [41], where mmWave UAV applications combined with advanced MIMO techniques seem promising for PPDR [30], [31], [65], [66]. Another related aspect is concerned with UAVs operating in unlicensed bands and hence competing for spectrum resources with immense numbers of other devices, in particular those utilizing WiFi and Bluetooth spectrum ranges, including IoT and V2X communications [67].…”

“…The optimization problem is particularly challenging with respect to spectrum sharing and offloading strategies in settings combining macro and small terrestrial BS cells with large UABS fleet deployments [49], [55]. Some promising research directions address the use of AI for autonomy, distributed deployment optimization and swarm coordination [30], [41], [69], and approaches involving for example game theory, genetic algorithms and deep learning are investigated in this respect [49], [58], [70].…”

“…In addition to the UABS concept, also known in the literature as UAV-assisted wireless communications [77], the use of UAVs in combination with 5G has found numerous other promising applications for PPDR that extend their use into areas such as monitoring and remote sensing of locations of interest by means of live video feeds, imagery and sensor data gathering and analysis, search and rescue missions, as well as transportation and logistics support, e.g. delivery of equipment and medical supplies to inaccessible areas [30], [59], [78], [79]. Commonly referred to as cellular-connected UAVs [77], in these applications the UAVs are considered new aerial users acting in the context of PPDR usage scenarios.…”

A Comprehensive Study on Simulation Techniques for 5G Networks: State of the Art Results, Analysis, and Future Challenges

“…As the results indicate, 5G mmWave communications can provide throughput up to 1 Gbps with consistent sub ms latency when the BS is located near the mission area, enabling remote offloading of the UAV control and perception algorithms. In [42], the authors provide a tutorial on UAV communications in 5G-and-beyond wireless networks. In this framework, new considerations, such as UAV energy limitation, high altitude, and high 3D mobility, are discussed as well.…”

Line-of-Sight Probability for mmWave-Based UAV Communications in 3D Urban Grid Deployments

“…With larger available bandwidths, mmWave transmission enables UAV-based applications and services that require high data rates, such as real-time video transfer, area surveillance, and many more. As mmWave bands are embraced by 5G New Radio (NR) access technology, the latter is expected to accommodate a new type of UAV users [3]- [5]. However, the incorporation of specific UAV features, such as their three-dimensional (3D) mobility, introduces further challenges and requires modifications to the existing channel models [6], [7].One of the essential roadblocks for arranging seamless UAV support in mmWave-based 5G NR systems is the blockage of line-of-sight (LoS) radio propagation paths.…”