UAV-Based Network Slicing: Background and State-of-the-Art

Abstract

Due to the always increasing number of cellular networking users, 5G promised to support the numerous users and and their expectations. 5G envisioned to be a heterogeneous network, aimed to serve a multitude of users with different, and conflicting demands and priorities. These users range from humans and their mobile devices, to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, vehicles, and more. The 5G cellular network promises major enhancements over the previous generations and is already being deployed on a large scale. Network slicing emerged as one of the main features of 5G next to other novel technologies like Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Network slicing assists the network in achieving higher throughput, lower latency, and more resource efficiency. There are three major network slices introduced to target each use case. The network slices are Ultra Reliable, Low Latency Communications (URLLC), enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), and massive Machine- Type Communications (mMTC). Meanwhile, drones have also shown great potential in a multitude of fields, gaining notable research interest lately. Indeed, 5G is being widely adopted, which allowed drones to make use of the capabilities offered by the new cellular network. Therefore, this work explores network slicing and highlights its potential in conjunction with drones. Moreover, this survey covers recent advances in UAVs, network slicing and 5G networks. This work presents brief definitions on 5G, network slicing, and drones. This paper also presents novel contributions to drones in the context of network slicing. Finally, some open issues are presented before concluding the paper.