Holistic resource management in UAV-assisted wireless networks: An optimization perspective

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are considered as a promising solution to assist terrestrial networks in future wireless networks (i.e., beyond fifth-generation (B5G) and sixth-generation (6G)). The convergence of various technologies requires future wireless networks to provide multiple functionalities, including communication, computing, control, and caching (4Cs), necessary for applications such as connected robotics and autonomous systems. The majority of existing works consider the developments in 4Cs individually, which limits the cooperation among 4Cs for potential gains The limited resources at the network edge call for holistic management of the resources, which requires joint optimization. This survey provides a comprehensive review of holistic resources management in UAV-assisted wireless networks. The integrated resource management considers the challenges associated with aerial networks, such as 3D placement of UAV, trajectory planning, channel modelling, backhaul connectivity, and the challenges related to terrestrial networks, such as limited bandwidth, power, and interference. We briefly present architectures (source–UAV–destination and UAV–destination architecture) and 4Cs in UAV-assisted wireless networks. We then provide a detailed discussion on resource management by categorizing the optimization problems into individual or combinations of two (communication and computation) or three (communication, computation and control). Moreover, solution approaches and performance metrics are discussed and analysed for different objectives and problem types. Finally, the insight about the potential future research areas to address the challenges of holistic resource management in UAV-assisted wireless networks are discussed.