Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Multi-Access Edge Computing

Multi-access edge computing processes and stores data at the edge of the network, brings computing resources closer to the end users, significantly reduces latency for computation-intensive and time-sensitive applications. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can accomplish rapid deployment of wireless networks as mobile base stations. Compared to terrestrial communications, UAVs have the outstanding advantage of short-range line-of-sight links, which can improve the network performance significantly. In addition, with its flexibility and mobility, UAVs can be quickly deployed to support wireless communications in remote areas with complex environments, such as disaster areas and emergency zones. UAVs equipped with computing servers provide a new paradigm for multi-access edge computing. They have attracted wide attention from both industry and academia recently. However, there are many critical technical challenges yet to be addressed toward aerial computing. In this issue of IEEE Wireless Communications, we are pleased to present a special issue on “Aerial Computing: Drones for Multi-access Edge Computing” with a collection of 13 articles, to bring together researchers, industry practitioners, and individuals working on related areas to address some of these technical challenges for UAVs and multi-access edge computing. Thanks to the guest editors, J. Zheng, A. Anpalagan, M. Guizani, Y. Wu, N. Zhang, X. Chen, and F. R. Yu, who did an excellent job editing this special issue for our readers. Please stay tuned for new developments in the research area of UAVs and multi-access edge computing and read the editorial and the papers in this special issue.