Leveraging Edge Computing and 6G for drone services

• Grant number: 24/01769-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Fernando Bittencourt
• Grantee: Lucas de Paula Soares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Computação (IC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC)
• Associated research grant: 21/00199-8 - SMART NEtworks and ServiceS for 2030 (SMARTNESS), AP.PCPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/08667-1 - Integrating Edge Computing and Cooperative AI-Based Collision Avoidance for Drone Operations, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, has received increased attention due to their numerous applications for society. In agriculture, they can monitor individual plants and help direct water and nutrient resources. In the case of environmental disasters, they can be used to map the position of victims in hard-to-reach areas, as well as to monitor oceans and deserts and help with geomorphological analysis.Each of these applications requires coordination and communication between drones at various levels, whether for precise positioning or information exchange. Advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), 6G mobile communications, and edge and fog computing can make a significant contribution to the development of drone flight control strategies, promoting safe and efficient flight management.Given that current research involves a small number of drones, this project highlights the importance of a drone management architecture that leverages edge computing and 6G networks. The focus of the project is to implement relevant parameters for management in high-density drone scenarios.