Performance Optimization of Low-Altitude Platform over Crowded Areas - Souq Waqif as a Case Study

Abstract

Ensuring wireless connectivity for temporary crowded areas is one of the main concerns for wireless operators. Installing a fixed Base Station (BS) with sufficient capacity is inefficient solution that wastes the spectrum resources due to the temporary nature of these areas. Instead, Low-Altitude Platform (LAP) is reported as an efficient alternative, where an aerial entity can carry a BS to serve the desired area during the required time period. However, the optimal location and altitude of the LAP has a significant impact on the attainable performance. In this work, the optimization of both the location and the altitude of LAP that carries a BS of $4\times 4$ antenna operating over 28GHz is addressed. The area under investigation is Souq Waqif in Doha (Qatar) which is identified as a seasonal crowded area. Performance evaluation is conducted by the aid of Wireless InSite simulation software in terms of the average received power while considering different types of receive antennas.