Global Connectivity

Connecting everyone, everywhere is no small feat. The limitations of ground base stations and satellites have kept remote areas disconnected or experiencing delays. Our project is a game-changer, integrating terrestrial networks with sky-bound solutions like satellites and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to create an expansive wireless communication system. We’re making high-speed internet and real-time services accessible even in the most remote corners of the world.

The Promise of Altitude Reuse

The sky is not just empty space; it’s a multi-layered canvas for innovative communication. By integrating satellites, High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs), and Low-Altitude Platforms (LAPs) like drones and airships, we’re optimizing the use of different altitudes. This altitude reuse enhances spectrum efficiency and offers a more reliable connection for ground users.

Tackling Resource Management Challenges

Creating a seamless network that spans the ground and sky comes with its own set of hurdles. How do we allocate resources efficiently? How do we ensure optimal deployment? Our project confronts these resource management challenges head-on, developing solutions that maintain a balanced and high-capacity network.

Optical and High-Frequency Transceivers

A system as expansive as ours requires next-level technology. We employ emerging optical and other high-frequency directional transceivers that can withstand the challenges of communicating across various altitudes, from the ground up to the exosphere. These advanced technologies boost the efficiency and reliability of our integrated system.

Connecting Remote and Urban Areas

The real triumph of our project is in its inclusivity. By smartly integrating terrestrial, satellite, and UAV-based networks, we’ve created a system that can serve both remote and metropolitan areas. It’s not just about expanding coverage; it’s about democratizing access to high-speed, reliable communication services.

Optimization Results: A Leap Forward in Efficiency

One of the most compelling outcomes of our project is the advancements in network optimization. Through meticulous planning and cutting-edge algorithms, we’ve managed to significantly increase the aggregate efficiency of the integrated network. Our resource management solutions have led to a marked reduction in delays for real-time services and an expansion in coverage area. We’re not just talking theoretical benefits; these optimization results are quantifiable leaps that bring us closer to a universally connected world.

Selected Publications

  • A. Alsharoa and M.-S. Alouini, “Facilitating Satellite-Airborne-Balloon Terrestrial Integration for Dynamic and Infrastructure-less Network”, The magazine of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu, vol. 117, no. 3, pp. 23-30, Nov. 2021.
  • F. Nait-Abdesselam, A. Alsharoa, M. Selim, D. Qiao, and A. E. Kamal, “Towards Enabling Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a Service for Heterogeneous Applications”, Journal of Communications and Networks (JCN), vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 212-221, June 2021.
  • A. Alsharoa and M. Yuksel, “Energy Efficient D2D Communications Using Multiple UAV Relays”, IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 69, no. 8, pp. 5337-5351, May 2021.
  • A. Alsharoa and M.-S. Alouini, “Improvement of the Global Connectivity using Inte- grated Satellite-Airborne-Terrestrial Networks with Resource Optimization”, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 19, no. 8, pp. 5088-5100, Aug. 2020.
  • A. Alzidaneen, A. Alsharoa, and M.-S. Alouini, “Resource and Placement Optimization for Multiple UAVs using Backhaul Tethered Balloons”, IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 543-547, Apr. 2020.
  • A. Alsharoa, H. Ghazzai, A. Kadri, and A.E. Kamal, “Spatial and Time Management of Multiple Solar Powered Drones Assisting Cellular HetNets”, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 954-968, Apr. 2020.
  • A. Alsharoa, and M. Yuksel, “UAV-Direct: Facilitating D2D Communications for Dynamic and Infrastructure-less Networking”, in proc. of the DroneNet Workshop of 15th ACM International Conference on Mobile Systems, Applications, and Services (MobiSys), Mu- nich, Germany, June 2018.
  • A. Alsharoa, H. Ghazzai, M. Yuksel, A. Kadri, and A.E. Kamal, “Trajectory Optimization for Multiple UAVs Acting as Wireless Relays”, in proc. of the IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), Kansas City, MO, USA, May 2018.