Terahertz band communications as a new frontier for drone networks

Abstract

Terahertz band (0.1-10 THz) communications is one of the candidates for 6G systems due to intrinsic massive bandwidth and data rate support. Having demonstrated the significant potential of THz band at various atmospheric altitudes, in this article, we discuss the prospects of THz communications for drone networks, more specifically, for Drone Sensor Networks (DSNs). For 6G non-terrestrial communication scenarios, drones will not only serve as on-demand base-stations, as supporting alternatives or backhauls for the terrestrial base stations, but they will also provide seamless connectivity for distributed monitoring and surveillance applications, which require an ultra-reliable low latency service for carrying multimedia data. THz band sensing will also provide additional sensing capabilities from the sky to THz-enabled DSNs. Presenting this vision, in this paper, we first discuss possible use cases of THz-enabled drone networks considering communication, sensing and localization aspects. Then, for revealing the capacity potential of THz-enabled drone networks, we provide motivating channel capacity results for communication of drones at different altitudes, under ideal channel conditions with no fading and realistic channel with beam misalignment and multipath fading. We further present major challenges pertaining to employing the THz band for DSNs, addressing physical layer issues, followed with spectrum and interference management, medium access control and higher layers and security, while reviewing some prominent solutions. Finally, we highlight future research directions with Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)-based approaches and mobile edge computing.

GHz-to-THz broadband communications for 6G non-terrestrial networks

“…A few recent studies have shown the massive potential of employing the THz band for aerial communications with a substantial performance improvement as compared to the THz communications at sea level. In [13], open research directions for drone networks over the THz band are presented, highlighting issues in channel estimation, physical layer, Ultra-Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (UM-MIMO), and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), to name a few. In [4], an extensive analysis of THz band communications of four practical aerial vehicle scenarios is provided for drones, jet planes, high altitude UAVs, and satellites at various practical altitudes, transmission distances, zenith angles, weather pro iles, and fading conditions of Multipath (MP) fading and Beam Misalignment (BM) fading.…”

“…A recent study in [12] has considered THz band (0.1-10) THz wireless communications for new deep space explorations e.g., for Mars-space THz links. Spectrum management will place an important role in regard to the interference issue in the THz band [13]. A massive THz band can be suf iced for the challenge of spectrum scarcity by allocating sub-bands to individual users, hence, mitigating the interference [14,15].…”