Towards 6G Energy Sustainability: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Energy Efficiency Model in a Hybrid-Tier Heterogeneous Network

Abstract

Studies have shown that one of the major design principles of 6G technology is to achieve seamless heterogeneous network integration of space, air, ground, and sea. This study argues that the roles of satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) cannot be underestimated in achieving such seamless connectivity within the 6G network. While few studies have focused on power control management centered around 5G technology, using a binary exponential algorithm, this approach was not sufficient to guarantee a step-by-step power control adjustment in UAV connection establishment. Hence, a modified power control factor that offers better step-by-step power control, along with a power regeneration algorithm, has been proposed for 6G technology. The regeneration algorithm developed is intended to regenerate one-fifth of the used UAV operation power for every 25 minutes of UAV operation. As such, numerical computations show an adaptable model to extend UAV power if needed, and this would greatly benefit the integration of upcoming 6G technology. The study further highlights some socio-economic implications of 6G technology and UAV power management that policymakers need to pay attention to.