On the Association of Small Cell Base Stations with UAVs using Unsupervised Learning

• Small cell networks (SCNs) offer a cost-effective coverage solution to wireless applications demanding high data rates. However in SCNs, a challenging problem is the proper management of backhaul links to small cell base stations(SCBSs). To make a good backhaul link, perfect line-of-sight (LoS) communication between the SCBSs and the core network plays a vital role. In this study, we use the idea of employing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide connectivity betweenSCBSs and the core network. We focus on the association of SCBSs with UAVs by considering multiple communication-related factors including data rate limit and available bandwidth resources of the backhaul. In particular, we address the optimum placement of UAVs to serve a maximum number of SCBSswhile considering available resources using the unsupervised k-means algorithm. Numerical results show that the proposed approach outperforms the conventional approach in terms of associatedSCBSs, bandwidth consumption, available link utilization, and sum-rate maximization.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Kommunikationssystem (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Communication Systems (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Telekommunikation (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Telecommunications (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Drones

unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

small cell base stations

fronthaul/backhaul network

unsupervised learning

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)