Coexistence of terrestrial and aerial users in cellular networks

Mohammad Mahdi Azari, Fernando Rosas, Alessandro Chiumento, Sofie Pollin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

146 Citations (Scopus)
13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Enabling the integration of aerial mobile users into existing cellular networks would make possible a number of promising applications. However, current cellular networks have not been designed to serve aerial users, and hence an exploration of design parameters is required in order to allow network providers to modify their current infrastructure. As a first step in this direction, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of the coverage probability of the downlink of a cellular network that serves both aerial and ground users. We present an exact mathematical characterization of the coverage probability, which includes the effect of base stations (BSs) height, antenna pattern and drone altitude for various types of urban environments. Interestingly, our results show that the favorable propagation conditions that aerial users enjoy due to their altitude is also their strongest limiting factor, as it leaves them vulnerable to interference. This negative effect can be substantially reduced by optimizing the flying altitude, the base station height and antenna down-tilt angle. Moreover, lowering the base station height and increasing down-tilt angle are in general beneficial for both terrestrial and aerial users, pointing out a possible path to enable their coexistence.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2017 IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps)
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-5386-3920-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
EventIEEE GLOBECOM 2017: Global Hub: Connecting East and West - Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, Singapore
Duration: 4 Dec 20178 Dec 2017
http://globecom2017.ieee-globecom.org/

Conference

ConferenceIEEE GLOBECOM 2017
Abbreviated titleGLOBECOM 2017
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period4/12/178/12/17
Internet address

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