Drone-Enabled Connectivity: Advancements and Challenges in B5G / 6G Networks

The rapid advancement of networking and broad-band communications has created a demand for efficient relaying methods, particularly in the context of high-fidelity and low-latency last-mile communications. This paper explores the utilization of cellular-enabled-drones as Aerial-Base-Station (Aerial-BS) in cellular networks next-generation, specifically focusing on their potential as flying base stations in Beyond 5G/6G networks. The study summarises various aspects, including energy availability, mobility, optimal positioning, and node localization, handover efficiency. Additionally, multi-objective optimizations for bandwidth allocation, accommodating highly mobile User Equipment (UE), mitigating interference, and ensuring quality of service (QoS) are discussed. The paper highlights the use of drone-base-stations (DBS) as extending terrestrial network capacity and coverage, assisting mobile ad-hoc-networks, and enabling beam-forming applications. The challenges associated with optimal positioning, energy availability, path planning mobility, security, and QoS are examined, providing insights into future research directions. The findings contribute to the enhancement of cellular connectivity and offer valuable insights into the utilization of drones as flying aerial base stations in B5G / 6G network.