LB-UAVnet: Load Balancing Algorithm for UAV Based Network using SDN

Abstract

Software defined networking (SDN) has revolutionized the wireless networks with newer and dynamic services. SDN separates the control and data plane in networks making them more flexible. The advent of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has enabled on-the-fly wireless network provision wherein UAV acts as an aerial base station (BS) for user equipments (UE) on the ground. We have developed a load balancing algorithm for UAV based network using SDN, namely, LB-UAVnet. We have used Openflow with mobility functions and wireless interface definitions to implement SDN for UAV based wireless network (UAVnet). The developed algorithm, LB-UAVnet, addresses the dynamic connectivity and topology changes by adaptive link switching and packet routing for an UAV assisted wireless network. The performance of the developed algorithm (LBUAVnet) has been evaluated in terms of the QoS parameters (Throughput, packet loss, delay, and packet flow) in the UAVnet.