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Performance Evaluation of Non-terrestrial IAB Nodes at varying altitudes in Dense Urban Environments
Ullah, Inam El-Sayed, Hesham Dowhuszko, Alexis Khan, Manzoor Ahmed Hamalainen, Jyri
Ullah, Inam
El-Sayed, Hesham
Dowhuszko, Alexis
Khan, Manzoor Ahmed
Hamalainen, Jyri
Supervisor
Department
Computer Science
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Journal article
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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Language
English
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Abstract
The rise of data-intensive applications in Fifth-Generation (5G) mobile networks demands that next-generation mobile systems deliver seamless, high-bandwidth, and immersive services with improved quality of service. To address these challenges, the use of Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes operating over millimeter-wave frequency bands onboard Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) presents a promising solution. The UAV-mounted IAB network has the potential to enhance line-of-sight conditions to the donor Base Station (BS) via the backhaul link, enabling temporary high data rates in mission-critical and emergency response communication scenarios that require a rapid deployment of new network elements for boosting cellular coverage. This paper proposed a framework that integrates terrestrial IAB nodes, non-terrestrial UAV-mounted IAB nodes, and terrestrial donor BS, operating in a dense urban Manhattan-like environment. The research work primarily focuses on how variations in UAV-mounted IAB altitudes, donor BS down-tilt angle, and IAB antenna configuration influence the downlink end-to-end (E2E) spectral efficiency performance of mobile users. Simulation results demonstrate that significant performance gains can be achieved when non-terrestrial IAB nodes are deployed at suitable altitudes when equipped with appropriate antenna configurations. These improvements are further improved when the donor BS employs properly adjusted down-tilt angles, enabling the hybrid terrestrial-aerial IAB mobile network to operate more efficiently and deliver enhanced E2E performances.
Citation
I. Ullah, H. El-Sayed, A. Dowhuszko, M.A. Khan, J. Hamalainen, "Performance Evaluation of Non-terrestrial IAB Nodes at varying altitudes in Dense Urban Environments," IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, vol. PP, no. 99, pp. 676-690, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1109/ojvt.2026.3656394.
Source
IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology
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Keywords
40 Engineering, 4006 Communications Engineering
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Publisher
IEEE