A UAV-based moving 5G RAN for massive connectivity of mobile users and IoT devices

Abstract Currently, the coexistence of multiple users and devices challenges the network's ability to reliably connect them. This article proposes a novel communication architecture that satisfies the requirements of fifth-generation (5G) mobile network applications. In particular, this architecture extends and combines ultra-dense networking (UDN), multi-access edge computing (MEC), and virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) concepts to provide a flexible network of moving radio access (RA) nodes, flying or moving to areas where users and devices struggle for connectivity and data rate. Furthermore, advances in radio communications and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), virtualization technologies and energy-awareness mechanisms are integrated towards a mobile UDN that not only allows RA nodes to follow the user but also enables the virtualized network functions (VNFs) to adapt to user mobility by migrating from one node to another. Performance evaluation shows that the underlying network improves connectivity of users and devices through the flexible deployment of moving RA nodes and the use of NOMA.