# What Will the Future of UAV Cellular Communications Be? A Flight from 5G to 6G

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.04842 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.04842/

## Key facts

- Cited by 11 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 11 May 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 11 of 11)

- [Sionna: An Open-Source Library for Next-Generation Physical Layer Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.11854/) (2022)
- [Leveraging Large Language Models for Integrated Satellite-Aerial-Terrestrial Networks: Recent Advances and Future Directions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.04581/) (2024)
- [Deep Attention Recognition for Attack Identification in 5G UAV scenarios: Novel Architecture and End-to-End Evaluation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.12947/) (2023)
- [LLM-Aided Joint Secrecy Precoding and Trajectory for RSMA-Based Heterogeneous UAV Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.17188/) (2025)
- [Bridging Earth and Space: A Survey on HAPS for Non-Terrestrial Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.19731/) (2025)
- [Deep UAV Path Planning with Assured Connectivity in Dense Urban Setting](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.15225/) (2024)
- [Maximizing User Connectivity in AI-Enabled Multi-UAV Networks: A Distributed Strategy Generalized to Arbitrary User Distributions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.05205/) (2024)
- [PCA-Featured Transformer for Jamming Detection in 5G UAV Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.15312/) (2024)
- [Enhancing UAV Path Planning Efficiency Through Accelerated Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.10141/) (2025)
- [GPS-Aided Deep Learning for Beam Prediction and Tracking in UAV mmWave Communication](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.17530/) (2025)
- [Age of Information Minimization in UAV-Enabled Integrated Sensing and Communication Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.14299/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

What will the future of UAV cellular communications be? In this tutorial article, we address such a compelling yet difficult question by embarking on a journey from 5G to 6G and sharing a large number of realistic case studies supported by original results. We start by overviewing the status quo on UAV communications from an industrial standpoint, providing fresh updates from the 3GPP and detailing new 5G NR features in support of aerial devices. We then show the potential and the limitations of such features. In particular, we demonstrate how sub-6 GHz massive MIMO can successfully tackle cell selection and interference challenges, we showcase encouraging mmWave coverage evaluations in both urban and suburban/rural settings, and we examine the peculiarities of direct device-to-device communications in the sky. Moving on, we sneak a peek at next-generation UAV communications, listing some of the use cases envisioned for the 2030s. We identify the most promising 6G enablers for UAV communication, those expected to take the performance and reliability to the next level. For each of these disruptive new paradigms (non-terrestrial networks, cell-free architectures, artificial intelligence, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, and THz communications), we gauge the prospective benefits for UAVs and discuss the main technological hurdles that stand in the way. All along, we distil our numerous findings into essential takeaways, and we identify key open problems worthy of further study.