Resource management for sum-rate maximization in SCMA-assisted UAV system

This work presents a resource management framework for optimizing the sum-rate in a sparse code multiple access (SCMA)-assisted UAV downlink system. We formulate two optimization problems for maximizing the overall sum-rate: the first problem addresses UAV 3D deployment and trajectory optimization with energy constraints, while the second focuses on optimizing SCMA subcarrier and power allocation optimization, subject to factor graph matrix (FGM) constraints and a minimum user data rate. Since the optimization problems are non-convex, the complexity of finding the global optimal solutions is prohibitive. We propose a gradient ascent-based iterative algorithm to compute the optimal UAV 3D deployment and trajectory. Further, an effective channel state information-based algorithm is proposed for FGM assignment, followed by a Lagrange dual decomposition method to solve the power allocation problem efficiently. Our research findings demonstrate that the optimization of the UAV trajectory gives improved sum-rate within the specified energy budget. Further, employing CSI-based multiple subcarrier allocation and strategic power allocation can significantly improve system performance compared to the benchmark schemes.