Katzis, Konstantinos

Network Flying Platforms (NFPs) such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned balloons or drones flying at low/medium/high altitude can be employed to enhance network coverage and capacity by deploying a swarm of flying platforms that implement novel radio resource management techniques. In this paper, we propose a novel layered architecture where NFPs, of various types and flying at low/medium/high layers in a swarm of flying platforms, are considered as an integrated part of the future cellular networks to inject additional capacity and expand the coverage for exceptional scenarios (sports events, concerts, etc.) and hard-to-reach areas (rural or sparsely populated areas). Successful roll-out of the proposed architecture depends on several factors including, but are not limited to: network optimisation for NFP placement and association, safety operations of NFP for network/equipment security, and reliability for NFP transport and control/signaling mechanisms. In this work, we formulate the optimum placement of NFP at a Lower Layer (LL) by exploiting the airborne Self-organising Network (SON) features. Our initial simulations show the NFP-LL can serve more User Equipment (UE)s using this placement technique.

Networked flying platforms can be used to provide cellular coverage and capacity. Given that 5G and beyond networks are expected to be always available and highly reliable, resilience and reliability of these networks must be investigated. This paper introduces the specific features of airborne networks that influence their resilience. We then discuss how machine learning and blockchain technologies can enhance the resilience of networked flying platforms.

This chapter aims at identifying the main design and operation constraints, that smart environments are expected to experience within a 5G wireless/mobile network and how these constraints can be addressed using cognitive radio networks. This chapter first provides a general description of 5G wireless/mobile networks and stresses their role in the future wireless communications with emphasis given on smart environments. Then, the smart environments are presented based on their architecture characteristic and the applications associated with their operation. In addition, an overview of various current standards related to IoT applications is presented followed by the concept of cognitive radio networks and the available experimental platforms stressing the benefits of employing this technology in the future 5G wireless/mobile networks. Finally, the research challenges associated with integrating 5G wireless/mobile networks and IoT are outlined.