Data Gathering and Energy Transfer Dilemma in UAV-Assisted Flying Access Network for IoT

Abstract

Recently, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as an alternative solution to assist wireless networks, thanks to numerous advantages they offer in comparison to terrestrial fixed base stations. For instance, a UAV can be used to embed a flying base station providing an on-demand nomadic access to network services. A UAV can also be used to wirelessly recharge out-of-battery ground devices. In this paper, we aim to deal with both data collection and recharging depleted ground Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices through a UAV station used as a flying base station. To extend the network lifetime, we present a novel use of UAV with energy harvesting module and wireless recharging capabilities. However, the UAV is used as an energy source to empower depleted IoT devices. On one hand, the UAV charges depleted ground IoT devices under three policies: (1) low-battery first scheme; (2) high-battery first scheme; and (3) random scheme. On the other hand, the UAV station collects data from IoT devices that have sufficient energy to transmit their packets, and in the same phase, the UAV exploits the Radio Frequency (RF) signals transmitted by IoT devices to extract and harvest energy. Furthermore, and as the UAV station has a limited coverage time due to its energy constraints, we propose and investigate an efficient trade-off between ground users recharging time and data gathering time. Furthermore, we suggest to control and optimize the UAV trajectory in order to complete its travel within a minimum time, while minimizing the energy spent and/or enhancing the network lifetime. Extensive numerical results and simulations show how the system behaves under different scenarios and using various metrics in which we examine the added value of UAV with energy harvesting module.

Medium Access Control Protocols for the Internet of Things Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Comparative Survey

“…UAVs can not only collect data but can also wirelessly transfer energy to energy-constrained IoT devices [ 34 ]. Most UAVs are rechargeable and can store more energy than an IoT device.…”

A Near-Field Gaussian Plume Inversion Flux Quantification Method, Applied to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Sampling

“…Wang et al [54] used a 1 kg light detection and ranging system mounted on-board a small UAV to measure biomass cover and canopy height over grassland. Arabi et al [55] used a UAV to wirelessly recharge depleted batteries. The system was tested to recharge a network of depleted ground based data transmitters [55].…”

“…Arabi et al [55] used a UAV to wirelessly recharge depleted batteries. The system was tested to recharge a network of depleted ground based data transmitters [55]. Schuyler et al [56] used a 5.14 kg UAV, in the form of a balloon-launched glider, to derive measurements of temperature, pressure and humidity from up to 25 km in height, which were used to validate the results of a weather model.…”

“…The platform was successfully tested by comparing UAV turbulence measurements to measurements from a stationary tower at a fixed height of 60 m at 10 Hz [64]. The UAV could also be used as a mobile data transmission base station [55]. Hemingway et al [65] used a variogram analysis of temperature and humidity measurements, derived from a 1.2 kg UAV flying within the atmospheric boundary layer, to observe meteorological phenomena of a sub-kilometre spatial scale.…”

A Coalition Formation Game Approach for Efficient Cooperative Multi-UAV Deployment

“…For instance, in public safety scenarios (earthquake, volcano, military attack, etc. ), UAVs can be utilized as flying base stations, and replace damaged communication infrastructure and guarantee information dissemination for UAV-assisted sensor networks [5,6].…”