Caching Through the Skies: The Case of LEO Satellites Connected Edges for 6G and Beyond

The deployment of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites with terrestrial networks can potentially increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of relaying content from a data center to a set of edge caches hosted by 6G and beyond enabled macro base stations. In this work, the characteristics of the communication system and the mobility of LEO satellites are thoroughly discussed to describe the channel characteristics of LEO satellites, in terms of their frequency bands, latency, Doppler shifts, fading effects, and satellite access. Three different scenarios are proposed for the relay of data from data centers to edge caches via LEO satellites, which are the "Immediate Forward", "Relay and Forward", and "Store and Forward" scenarios. A comparative problem formulation is utilized to obtain numerical results from simulations to demonstrate the effectiveness and validity as well as the trade-offs of the proposed system model. The simulation results indicate that the integration of LEO satellites in edge caching for 6G and beyond networks decreased the required transmission power for relaying the data from the data center to the edge caches. Future research directions based on the proposed model are discussed.

Terahertz Multiple Access: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Controlled Multihop IRS Topology

We investigate THz communication uplink multiple access using cascaded intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) assuming correlated channels. Two independent objectives to be achieved via adjusting the phases of the cascaded IRSs: 1) maximizing the received rate of a desired user under interference from the second user and 2) maximizing the sum rate of both users. The resulting optimization problems are non-convex. For the first objective, we devise a sub-optimal analytical solution by maximizing the received power of the desired user, however, this results in an over determined system. Approximate solutions using pseudo-inverse and block-based approaches are attempted. For the second objective, a loose upperbound is derived and an exhaustive search solution is utilized. We then use deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to solve both objectives. Results reveal the suitability of DRL for such complex configurations. For the first objective, the DRL-based solution is superior to the sub-optimal mathematical methods, while for the second objective, it produces sum rates almost close to the exhaustive search. Further, the results reveal that as the correlation-coefficient increases, the sum rate of DRL increases, since it benefits from the presence of correlation in the channel to improve statistical learning.

A General Model for Pointing Error of High Frequency Directional Antennas

This paper focuses on providing an analytical framework for the quantification and evaluation of the pointing error for a general case at high-frequency millimeter wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) communication links. For this aim, we first derive the the probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of the pointing error between an unstable transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx), that have different antenna patterns and for which the vibrations are not similar in the Yaw and Pitch directions. The special case where the Tx and Rx are both equipped with uniform linear array antenna is also investigated. In addition, using $\alpha-\mu$ distribution, which is a valid model for small-scale fading of mmWave/THz links, the end-to-end PDF and CDF of the considered channel is derived for all the considered cases. Finally, by employing Monte-Carlo simulations, the accuracy of the analytical expressions is verified and the performance of the system is studied.

Enabling Long mmWave Aerial Backhaul Links via Fixed-Wing UAVs: Performance and Design

We propose a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)-based millimeter wave (mmWave) backhaul links, that is offered as a cost effective and easy to deploy solution, to connect a disaster or remote area to the nearest core network. First, we fully characterize the single relay fixed-wing UAV-based communication system by taking into account the effects of realistic physical parameters, such as the UAV's circular path, critical points of the flight path, heights and positions of obstacles, flight altitude, tracking error, the severity of UAV's vibrations, the real 3D antenna pattern, mmWave atmospheric channel loss, temperature and air pressure. Second, we derive the distribution of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) metric, which is based on the sum of a series of Dirac delta functions. Using the SNR distribution, we derive closed-form expressions for the outage probability and the ergodic capacity of the considered system as a function of all system parameters. To provide an acceptable quality of service for longer link lengths, we extend the analytical expressions to a multi-relay system. The accuracy of the closed-form expressions are verified by Monte-Carlo simulations. Finally, by providing sufficient simulation results, we investigate the effects of key channel parameters such as antenna pattern gain and flight path on the performance of the considered system; and we carefully analyze the relationships between these parameters in order to maximize the average channel capacity.

A Study of Multihop mmW Aerial Backhaul Links

The main contribution of this paper is to analyze a long networked flying platform (NFP)-based millimeter wave (mmWave) backhaul link that is offered as a cost effective and easy to deploy solution to connect a disaster or remote area to the nearest core network. For this aim, we characterize the backhaul channel as a function of realistic physical parameters such as heights and distances of obstacles along the route, flight altitude and the intensity of NFPs' vibrations, the real 3D antenna pattern provided by 3GPP, etc. For the characterized channel, we derive an analytical closed-form expression for the outage probability. Finally, using the obtained results, we provide a fast algorithm for the optimal parameter design of the considered system that minimizes the cost.

Long mmWave Backhaul Connectivity Using Fixed-Wing UAVs

This paper discusses the analysis of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based millimeter wave (mmWave) backhaul link, that is offered as a cost-effective and easy deploy the solution to connect a disaster or remote area to the nearest core network. We present the optimal design of a relay system based on fixed-wing UAV, taking into account the actual channel parameters such as the UAV vibrations, tracking error, real 3GPP antenna pattern, UAV's height, flight path, and the effect of physical obstacles. The performance of the considered system is evaluated in terms of outage probability and the channel capacity while taking into account the impact of the system parameters such as optimal selection of UAV flight path and antenna patterns.

A Critical Review of Baseband Architectures for CubeSats Communication Systems

Small satellite communications recently entered a period of massive interest driven by the uprising space applications. CubeSats are particularly attractive due to their low development costs which makes them very promising in playing a central role in the global wireless communication sector with numerous applications. Moreover, constellations of CubeSats in low-earth orbits can meet the increasing demands of global-coverage flexible low-cost high-speed connectivity. However, this requires innovative solutions to overcome the significant challenges that face high-data-rate low-power space communications. This paper provides a comprehensive and critical review of the design and architecture of recent CubeSat communication systems with a particular focus on their baseband architectures. The literature is surveyed in detail to identify all baseband design, testing, and demonstration stages as well as accurately describe the systems architecture and communication protocols. The reliability, performance, data rate, and power consumption of the reviewed systems are critically evaluated to understand the limitations of current CubeSat systems and identify directions of future developments. It is concluded that CubeSat communication systems still face many challenges, namely the development of energy-efficient high-speed modems that satisfy CubeSats requirements. Nevertheless, there are several promising directions for improvements such as the use of improved coding algorithms, use of Field Programmable Gate Arrays, multiple access techniques, beamforming, advanced antennas, and transition to higher frequency bands. By providing a concrete summary of current CubeSat communication systems and by critically evaluating their features, limitations, and offering insights about potential improvements, the review should aid CubeSat developers to develop more efficient and high data rate systems.

VisDrone-CC2020: The Vision Meets Drone Crowd Counting Challenge Results

Crowd counting on the drone platform is an interesting topic in computer vision, which brings new challenges such as small object inference, background clutter and wide viewpoint. However, there are few algorithms focusing on crowd counting on the drone-captured data due to the lack of comprehensive datasets. To this end, we collect a large-scale dataset and organize the Vision Meets Drone Crowd Counting Challenge (VisDrone-CC2020) in conjunction with the 16th European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV 2020) to promote the developments in the related fields. The collected dataset is formed by $3,360$ images, including $2,460$ images for training, and $900$ images for testing. Specifically, we manually annotate persons with points in each video frame. There are $14$ algorithms from $15$ institutes submitted to the VisDrone-CC2020 Challenge. We provide a detailed analysis of the evaluation results and conclude the challenge. More information can be found at the website: \url{http://www.aiskyeye.com/}.

Deep Reinforcement Learning Powered IRS-Assisted Downlink NOMA

In this work, we examine an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) assisted downlink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scenario with the aim of maximizing the sum rate of users. The optimization problem at the IRS is quite complicated, and non-convex, since it requires the tuning of the phase shift reflection matrix. Driven by the rising deployment of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) techniques that are capable of coping with solving non-convex optimization problems, we employ DRL to predict and optimally tune the IRS phase shift matrices. Simulation results reveal that IRS assisted NOMA based on our utilized DRL scheme achieves high sum rate compared to OMA based one, and as the transmit power increases, the capability of serving more users increases. Furthermore, results show that imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) has a deleterious impact on the data rate of users performing SIC. As the imperfection increases by ten times, the rate decreases by more than 10%.

Design Challenges of Multi-UAV Systems in Cyber-Physical Applications: A Comprehensive Survey, and Future Directions

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have recently rapidly grown to facilitate a wide range of innovative applications that can fundamentally change the way cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are designed. CPSs are a modern generation of systems with synergic cooperation between computational and physical potentials that can interact with humans through several new mechanisms. The main advantages of using UAVs in CPS application is their exceptional features, including their mobility, dynamism, effortless deployment, adaptive altitude, agility, adjustability, and effective appraisal of real-world functions anytime and anywhere. Furthermore, from the technology perspective, UAVs are predicted to be a vital element of the development of advanced CPSs. Therefore, in this survey, we aim to pinpoint the most fundamental and important design challenges of multi-UAV systems for CPS applications. We highlight key and versatile aspects that span the coverage and tracking of targets and infrastructure objects, energy-efficient navigation, and image analysis using machine learning for fine-grained CPS applications. Key prototypes and testbeds are also investigated to show how these practical technologies can facilitate CPS applications. We present and propose state-of-the-art algorithms to address design challenges with both quantitative and qualitative methods and map these challenges with important CPS applications to draw insightful conclusions on the challenges of each application. Finally, we summarize potential new directions and ideas that could shape future research in these areas.