# UAV Base Station Location Optimization for Next Generation Wireless Networks: Overview and Future Research Directions

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.11826 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1812.11826/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 3 Dec 2018.

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Optimizing UAV Aerial Base Station Flights Using DRL-based Proximal Policy Optimization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.03961/) (2025)
- [Base Station Deployment under EMF constrain by Deep Reinforcement learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.02385/) (2025)
- [Koopman-based Prediction of Connectivity for Flying Ad Hoc Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.01286/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Unmanned aerial vehicles mounted base stations (UAV-BSs) are expected to become one of the significant components of the Next Generation Wireless Networks (NGWNs). Rapid deployment, mobility, higher chances of unobstructed propagation path, and flexibility features of UAV-BSs have attracted significant attention. Despite, potentially, high gains brought by UAV-BSs in NGWNs, many challenges are also introduced by them. Optimal location assignment to UAV-BSs, arguably, is the most widely investigated problem in the literature on UAV-BSs in NGWNs. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the literature on the location optimization of UAV-BSs in NGWNs. A generic optimization framework through a universal Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) formulation is constructed and the specifications of its constituents are elaborated. The generic problem is classified into a novel taxonomy. Due to the highly challenging nature of the optimization problem a range of solutions are adopted in the literature which are also covered under the aforementioned classification. Furthermore, future research directions on UAV-BS location optimization in 5G and beyond non-terrestrial aerial communication systems are discussed.