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AI-Enabled UAV-Assisted Massive MIMO

Relaying for 5G-and-Beyond Wireless Networks

  • 2026
  • Book
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About this book

The authors explore various Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-assisted massive Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) relaying systems designed for 5G-and-Beyond wireless networks. This book also addresses scenarios where a direct connection between a base station and users is blocked, and a UAV acts as a relay to ensure seamless connectivity. The goal is to maximize the total achievable rate by solving key optimization problems in UAV placement, power allocation, and beamforming design. To tackle these challenges, the authors present novel artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions that achieve near-optimal performance in complex environments.

The first part introduces particle swarm optimization (PSO), a nature-inspired algorithm, for both single-user and multi-user massive MIMO settings, extending to multiple-UAV relay configurations. Our results demonstrate that PSO-based approaches can effectively enhance network capacity and coverage. The second part focuses on reducing computational complexity, while maintaining high performance. The authors develop deep learning (DL)-based approaches, from supervised learning for UAV placement and power allocation to deep reinforcement learning for trajectory optimization in dynamic conditions. Numerical evaluations confirm that these DL-based methods achieve reduced runtime without sacrificing achievable rates.

This book targets researchers, advanced-level students and engineers interested in the challenges and practical solutions for UAV-assisted MIMO communications in wireless networks. Professionals working in wireless communications focused on this topic will also want to purchase this book.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
Over the years, the evolution of cellular networks from the first generation (1G) to the fifth generation (5G) had a profound impact on different aspects of our life. Particularly, the world has seen a rapid digital transformation in the last few years that has changed the way people communicate, conduct business, and search for information. A critical element of this digital transition is wireless connectivity. It is expected that 5G and beyond (5G&B) networks will pave the way toward realizing the individuals technological aspirations including holographic telepresence, e-health, pervasive connectivity in smart environments, massive robotics, three-dimensional (3-D) massive unmanned mobility, augmented reality, virtual reality, and Internet of Everything.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Chapter 2. UAVs in the Next Generation Wireless Networks: Background and Literature Review
Abstract
UAVs, commonly referred to as drones, have been a topic of focused research over the past few years, due to their autonomy, flexibility, and a wide range of uses. Specifically, UAVs have been recognized as key tools for numerous applications, including military operations, surveillance and monitoring, telecommunications, medical supply delivery, and rescue missions. These recent advances in drone technology make it possible to widely deploy UAVs, such as drones, small aircraft, balloons, and airships for wireless communication purposes. UAVs can be integrated into wireless communication networks, either as flying (BSs) or as mobile relays. While UAVs offer significant advantages in both roles, this section focuses specifically on their application as relays.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood

PSO-Based Algorithmic Solutions for UAV-Assisted mMIMO Communications

Frontmatter
Chapter 3. Joint HBF and UAV Deployment in Dual-Hop SU-mMIMO Systems
Abstract
In the previous chapter, we provided an extensive review of the recent research on UAV-assisted communication.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Chapter 4. PSO-Based UAV-Assisted DF Relaying in Terrestrial MU-mMIMO System
Abstract
In this chapter, we will extend the problem to MU-mMIMO settings where the UAV operates as a DF relay using HBF architecture. Specifically, the UAV directly forwards data from the BS to multiple ground users/devices rather than forwarding data to a gateway, making an MU communications scenario. Furthermore, we also consider the MU PA jointly with UAV location optimization to further improve the performance.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Chapter 5. Multiple UAV-Assisted Cooperative DF Relaying for Enhanced Coverage and Capacity
Abstract
In the previous chapter, we consider a single UAV operating as a relay between BS and obscured users, which can provide only limited user coverage and access. On the other hand, a network of multiple UAVs can efficiently enlarge the coverage region and increase the number of served users.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood

Low-Complexity DL-Based Solutions for Real-Time UAV-Assisted MU-mMIMO Communications

Frontmatter
Chapter 6. Joint UAV Location and PA Optimization: A DSL Approach
Abstract
In Part I of this book, we explored various PSO-based algorithmic solutions combined with HBF to reduce the MU interference for different UAV-assisted mMIMO communications problems to maximize AR, where it was seen that PSO-based solutions achieved near-optimal AR in different scenarios. However, while these PSO-based solutions accomplish an acceptable performance, they have high computational complexity and struggle in real-time scenarios. Therefore, in Part II of this book, we aim to investigate low-complexity DL-based solutions to reduce the runtime of the proposed algorithms without significantly affecting the performance.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Chapter 7. UAV Deployment Based on DRL in Dynamic Communications Networks
Abstract
The proposed DSL method shows promising performance in achieving a satisfactory AR and reducing runtime. However, it struggles in more complex scenarios where users have diverse distributions or in dynamic environments where users may change locations frequently. A potential solution is to train the DSL model on larger, more generalized datasets. However, this approach is impractical due to the immense computational resources required to generate such datasets, and even then, it may fail to encompass all possible scenarios. These limitations of DSL motivate us to explore RL as a more effective optimization strategy within ML.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Chapter 8. A Codebook-Based DRL Approach for UAV Deployment and Trajectory Design
Abstract
In Chap. 7, we used DDPG as an RL approach, where it showed a performance close to the NI, PSO-based solution, while reducing the runtime by 31.5% in dynamic environments, by taking advantage of transfer learning. Although the runtime reduction is substantial, this might not be sufficient in dynamic scenarios, where users are constantly on the move, and the UAV needs to change its location frequently. This brings us to introduce a novel low-complexity DDPG codebook-based approach for the UAV deployment problem.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Chapter 9. Conclusions and Future Works
Abstract
In this chapter, we first present a detailed summary of the chapters in this book and then discuss some potential research directions as future works.
Tho Le-Ngoc, MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz, Mobeen Mahmood
Title
AI-Enabled UAV-Assisted Massive MIMO
Authors
Tho Le-Ngoc
MohammadMahdi Ghadaksaz
Mobeen Mahmood
Copyright Year
2026
Electronic ISBN
978-3-032-07872-8
Print ISBN
978-3-032-07871-1
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-07872-8

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