Title: Towards Global Connectivity Using Aerial and Space Networks
Speakers: Dr. Mustafa Kishk & Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Abstract: The United Nations (UN) has defined a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) targeted for 2030 that include ending poverty, hunger, and inequalities, establishing high quality of education and medical services, to name a few. Achieving such goals requires advancement in many industries, which includes the internet and communication technology (ICT) sector. In particular, establishing high quality internet service provides opportunities to stimulate economy in poor communities, access to remote learning, access to digital records and remote patient monitoring, and help farmers improve productivity. In this context, and as the standardization of the fifth generation (5G) of wireless communication systems (WCSs) has been completed, and 5G networks are in their early stage of deployment, the research visioning and planning of the sixth generation (6G) of WCSs are being initiated. However, it is well-known that urbanized regions have been the major beneficiaries of the advances in the previous generations of WCSs. Hence, it is important to carry research with the focus on ensuring digital inclusion of rural and remote areas, which currently lack stable access to internet connectivity. In this talk, we focus on (i) possible network architectures to establish backhaul connectivity in rural and remote areas, with emphasis on satellite-based solutions, (ii) current challenges facing internet access in rural areas, (iii) possible solutions to enhance internet access in rural areas, with emphasis on drone-based architectures, and (iv) existing solutions to improve the flight duration of drones and ensure stable coverage in rural areas.
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| Dr. Mustafa Kishk | Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini |
