Modeling Cellular-to-UAV Path-Loss for Suburban Environments

Operating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over cellular networks would open the barriers of remote navigation and far-flung flying by combining the benefits of UAVs and the ubiquitous availability of cellular networks. In this letter, we provide an initial insight on the radio propagation characteristics of cellular-to-UAV (CtU) channel. In particular, we model the statistical behavior of the path-loss from a cellular base station toward a flying UAV. Where we report the value of the path-loss as a function of the depression angle and the terrestrial coverage beneath the UAV. The provided model is derived based on extensive experimental data measurements conducted in a typical suburban environment for both terrestrial (by drive test) and aerial coverage (using a UAV). The model provides simple and accurate prediction of CtU path-loss that can be useful for both researchers and network operators alike.