Simulation of 4G cellular communication for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs)

Abstract

The data throughput achieved by modern fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE) mobile communications networks meets or exceeds the data-rate requirements for small and medium sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) communication data links. This creates an exciting opportunity to exploit pre-deployed cellular communication network infrastructure for UAV communication. UAVs are highly mobile; thus a challenging aspect in the implementation of a LTE UAV data link is maintaining a reliable network connection and high data rate, particularly at cell edges. This paper explores the utilization of 4G-LTE network as the communication topology among UAVs and ground base-stations. Using OMNeT++ modeling and simulation technology, we have developed a highly configurable and extensible framework providing core models such as UAVs, base stations, and network protocols to simulate various UAV communication scenarios. The preliminary results such as path loss, signal receive power, and data rate reveal promising outcomes demonstrating the capability of 4G-LTE network in serving UAVs with reliable data link.