SOLAR AND LASER BEAM ENERGY HARVESTING FOR UAV UNDER CLOUD EFFECT

Abstract

In future networks, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) will be essential devices for fulfilling our dream of a 3D network with many flying network devices in the sky and space. However, the lack of suitable and durable energy sources causes low performance and intermittent service in UAV-based networks. This paper evaluates an energy harvesting strategy for UAVs from sunlight and laser beams on cloudy days with a low-level cloud layer. The channel models and harvested powers for both cases are considered and analyzed using mathematical equations and simulation results.