Autonomous Aerial Networks with Wireless Power Transfer: Resource Optimization, Standardization, and Challenges

Abstract

Wireless networks are expected to provide unlimited connectivity to an increasing number of heterogeneous devices. Future wireless networks (sixth-generation (6G)) will accomplish this in three-dimensional (3D) space by combining terrestrial and aerial networks. However, effective resource optimization and standardization in future wireless networks are challenging because of massive resource-constrained devices, diverse quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, and a high density of heterogeneous devices. Despite extensive research efforts, a sophisticated technical approach to support massive connectivity through sustainable terrestrial and aerial networks has not yet been developed. Driven by this, we provide a review of autonomous aerial networks (AANs) with wireless power transfer (WPT), which can autonomously modify radio parameters and sustain their resource usage and management (power transfer, exploiting spectrum). We discuss the architecture of AANs with WPT to emphasize its essential aspects. We then provide a summary of standardization activities for the success of AANs with WPT. We discuss resource optimization for AANs with WPT and its challenges. Following that, we provide a case study to maximize the computing efficiency of AANs with WPT. Finally, we discuss potential future research areas for the broad use of AANs with WPT.