User Association, Power Allocation, and Aerial Base Stations Placement in Hybrid Networks: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach

Relevance. With the development of information technologies and the Internet of Things, the demand for more efficient and flexible mobile networks is increasing. Future wireless systems must not only ensure high speed and reliability of connections but also enable quick recovery of communication in emergency situations. Ground base stations (GBS) are typically installed stationary and are designed for long-term service, which limits their efficiency during sudden increases in traffic or infrastructure damage. In such conditions, aerial base station (ABS) emerge as a promising solution. Due to their mobility, affordability, and the ability to deploy quickly, they can support the operation of ground stations in high user density conditions or in emergencies when GBS are damaged or destroyed. This makes them an essential element of future communication networks. Problem Statement. Development of methods for the placement of ABS in three-dimensional space and the distribution of users and power among users with the goal of maximizing the data transmission speed of the systems. Goal of the work. Increase the data transmission speed of systems using ABS to support GBS through optimal three-dimensional positioning of ABS, distribution of users between ABS and GBS, and power allocation among users. Methods. The research was conducted using a dynamic approach, in which the coverage radius of the GBS is gradually reduced, along with the reinforcement learning algorithm. The analysis of the results showed the high effectiveness of the proposed method and allowed for a significant increase in data transmission speed within the framework of the task. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the proposed solution lies in the joint optimization of the placement of ABS and power allocation under resource constraints, which revealed a dependency between the coverage radius of GBS and the flight altitude of ABS. Specifically, as the coverage radius of GBS increases, the optimal flight altitude of ABS decreases, and vice versa. Practical significance. The practical significance lies in the possibility of developing a methodology for planning public communication networks using ABS to support GBS under resource constraints. This approach makes it possible to ensure a high total data transmission rate and improve the reliability of network operation.