Efficient deployment of UAV-powered sensors for optimal coverage and connectivity

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) digitizes the physical world with wireless devices sensing their surroundings and delivering periodic notifications of parameters they are monitoring. However, this operation is bound by finite-capacity batteries, in which replenishment is practically infeasible due to the envisioned size of the IoT networks. By also considering the autonomous and self-sufficient service vision of the IoT paradigm, the need for novel approaches overcoming the energy constraints is evident. Here, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) come into prominence. The UAVs can remotely energize wireless devices, via wireless power transfer (WPT), and thus guarantee reliable sensing coverage as well as longevity in the IoT domain. However, this can be only achieved by the precise alignment of both UAVs and wireless devices. Thus, this paper presents an efficient deployment strategy based on the circle packing problem, in which a lower-bound for the required number of wireless devices achieving optimal coverage is derived. The analysis, based on empirical measurements, reveals the design considerations for an energy harvesting (EH)-aided UAV scenario with regard to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, power consumption of wireless devices, and reporting frequency requirements of the IoT applications. Our results elaborate on a number of trade-offs, based on UAV, device, and medium characteristics, and provide realistic guidelines, achieving optimal coverage while meeting application requirements.

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ORCID for Geoff Merrett: orcid.org/0000-0003-4980-3894

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