A holistic view only looked at part of the problem
The survey explored several wireless approaches, including satellite technology, Wi-Fi, and existing cellular communications networks. Satellites are expensive, and Wi-Fi limits the range to a few hundred meters. Cellular networks promise the greatest range and scalability in the long run, but a few issues still need to be addressed.
Researchers have been exploring different aspects of drones in communication for years. One line of research has explored how drones could be used to extend cellular networks over long ranges. For example, Google’s Loon project hoped to use long-running balloons to open wireless networks over remote territories. Another approach has looked at how to improve communication using mesh networking protocols for drone swarms.
This was the first effort to systematically evaluate all the issues that need to be addressed for large-scale drone communication.
Pieces of the puzzle
The biggest challenge relates to the aerial nature of drones. Most existing cellular antennas point towards the ground. This confounds drone communication in a couple of ways. First, there is less raw signal available to provide a reliable connection into space. Second, drones may have to switch across multiple base stations more frequently, creating handoff issues.
