Abstract
The services provided in smart cities are dependent upon the seamless connectivity and communication services for the users and the Internet of Things (IoT) network. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based communication is a new paradigm for 5G and beyond network architectures. Advancement in the UAV technology has enabled aerial base stations (ABSs) to be deployed as a viable solution for the provisioning of cellular services in different environments. Google Project Loon and Facebook Aquila have turned the idea of aerial platforms providing communication services into a well established reality. The future roles envisaged for ABSs in the smart cities are to provide on demand connectivity either as a standalone airborne network or to assist the already existing terrestrial cellular infrastructure. UAVs can come to the assistance of terrestrial networks for multiple purposes such as for the offloading of users from ground base stations in case of a crowded event or for the capacity enhancement of existing terrestrial network. Availability of huge bandwidth in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies makes it a key element in managing the large traffic volumes in smart cities. Furthermore, enhanced line of sight capability of the UAVs make it a suitable platform for deployment as mmWave communications platform in the urban scenarios where concrete structures can degrade communication in the mmWave frequencies considerably. On demand deployment of the UAVs also make it suitable for dealing with varying traffic flows in smart cities, where an optimum number of UAVs can assist the existing communication infrastructure to deal with the massive user demands. Similarly UAVs can reach any area in the smart city where there is network congestion like a crowded hot spot, a sporting event or a traffic jam, and relieve the network load. UAVs also offer smart cities resilience to the network failures in case of a disaster or in the case of an unexpected event. Network resilience is indispensable for the future smart cities which will be dependent upon round the clock data collection and dissemination of ubiquitous sensors for automation and decision making. Rapid deployment capability of UAVs make it a suitable platform for allowing smart cities to continue its operations by restoring communication services in any unforeseen scenario. Apart from complete network failure in the case of disaster, the meeting of huge user demands will be a key concern for future smart cities. Through deployment of ABSs, network coverage in terms of data rates can be enhanced whenever and wherever required. Our proposed case study considers a scenario inside a smart city in which UAVs, operating in mmWave bands, assist the existing cellular infrastructure in meeting huge user demands that have arisen due to any event. We believe that on demand UAV-assisted networks, in the smart cities, provide a quick and efficient solution for the provisioning of cellular services and meeting of the user demands.
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