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The aim of this emerging technology initiative (ETI) is to foster research and innovation surrounding the study, design and development of aerial communications. There is plethora of research in this area focusing on the use of aerial users for various applications and deployment of on-demand communication systems characterized by a very rapid deployment time. Among many other domains, an application domain that will benefit from both aspects of the aerial communication is public safety allowing network to setup natural or man-made disasters, and the aerial users could support aid in areas that may be hard or hazardous for humans to reach. In fact, in situations like hurricane or earthquake disasters, the loss of almost all cellular infrastructure brings down the essential communications needed for emergency and disaster relief operations. In such scenarios, the usage of aerial platforms (drones, balloons) to provide fast deployment of telco infrastructure was demonstrated (even if in a few experimental situations) to represent an effective solution. The aerial network can additionally be used in providing extra capacity in one-off, or less frequent cases such as large events, while aerial users can potentially have role in diverse areas in the near future, including logistics, surveillance, creative content production, and many others.
To this end, the ETI will focus on “aerial communication” and aspects related to both aerial user and network. One of the main considered domain is public safety, i.e. aerial communications to deliver additional cellular coverage (for example during emergency situations) or to help first responders while providing advanced services.

ChairFabrizio Granelli
Vice Chairs | Toktam Mahmoodi, Kamesh Namuduri
Workshops and Symposia Officers | Rui Zhang, Sahil Garg
Special Issues and Publications Officers | Yong Zeng, Sophie Pollin
Industry Liaison Officer | Xingqin Lin
Liaison with Vehicular Technology Society Officer | Vuk Marojevic
Research Blog Officer | Qingqing Wu

Visit the Aerial Communications Emerging Technology Initiative website.

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