Flavors of the Next Generation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Networks

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – also known as drones or Unmanned Aircraft – have found diverse applications in various fields owing to their significant advantages, including fast mobility and rapid deployment. UAVs are crucial in aerial networks, providing increased coverage and on-demand connectivity as mobile nodes. In recent years, UAVs have made room to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to the sky, enhancing air-to-ground communication and pointing toward the next generation of UAV networks. As this expansion is still in its early stages, there are several aerial network terminologies, each with similarities and differences, depending on the deployment domain and the services they offer. However, studies have yet to discuss these different terminologies consistently. Key aspects have yet to be thoroughly explored, such as the anticipated requirements for deploying these networks and how they relate to the various terminologies. This work systematically analyzes the existing terminologies of UAV networks, considering their requirements and applications, shedding light on their intersections and differences. Furthermore, we present the demands for the next generation of UAV networks and discuss how they impact the design of UAV-related applications, aiding in the design of new protocols, tools, and technologies for both industry and academia. Lastly, we highlight the emerging trends and challenges associated with deploying and integrating these networks.