Low-Altitude Wireless Networks: The Next Horizon of Wireless Infrastructure

2026-05-22

AI Summary

This work addresses the surge in human and unmanned aerial activities below 3,000 meters, a domain inadequately supported by existing terrestrial communication networks that lack an integrated three-dimensional architecture for communication, sensing, and control. To bridge this gap, the paper introduces a novel paradigm—Low-Altitude Wireless Network (LAWN)—which extends wireless networking from the traditional two-dimensional ground plane into the three-dimensional low-altitude airspace. The proposed framework establishes a dynamic, integrated architecture unifying communication, sensing, and control functionalities. By leveraging three-dimensional modeling, joint airspace–channel capacity analysis, dynamic resource scheduling, and multidimensional cooperative control, the study elucidates the coupling mechanism between airspace capacity and wireless channel capacity, thereby identifying the key enablers, architectural principles, and performance limits of LAWN, laying a theoretical foundation for future intelligent low-altitude infrastructure.

Abstract

Low-altitude airspace, roughly defined as the region up to 3000 meters above ground level, is envisioned as a new spatial domain for daily human and machine activities. This article introduces the concept of the Low-Altitude Wireless Network (LAWN), which represents a paradigm shift from the current ground-based communication-only network to a three-dimensional (3D) multifunctional network. We analyze the key driving forces, network architecture, and limiting factors of LAWN, with a particular focus on the tight integration of communication, sensing, and control in highly dynamic airspace environments. By establishing the coupling between airspace capacity and wireless channel capacity, we reveal the intrinsic limits of airspace management and identify the fundamental challenges and opportunities associated with its evolution.

Problem

• Low-Altitude Wireless Network
• 3D multifunctional network
• airspace capacity
• wireless channel capacity
• dynamic airspace environments

Innovation

• Low-Altitude Wireless Network
• 3D Multifunctional Network
• Communication-Sensing-Control Integration
• Airspace Capacity
• Wireless Channel Capacity