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Main Authors: Behjati, Mehran, Nordin, Rosdiadee, Abdullah, Nor Fadzilah
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.13336
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author Behjati, Mehran
Nordin, Rosdiadee
Abdullah, Nor Fadzilah
author_facet Behjati, Mehran
Nordin, Rosdiadee
Abdullah, Nor Fadzilah
contents This paper presents a reinforcement learning (RL) based approach for path planning of cellular connected unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLoS). The objective is to minimize travel distance while maximizing the quality of cellular link connectivity by considering real world aerial coverage constraints and employing an empirical aerial channel model. The proposed solution employs RL techniques to train an agent, using the quality of communication links between the UAV and base stations (BSs) as the reward function. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in training the agent and generating feasible UAV path plans. The proposed approach addresses the challenges due to limitations in UAV cellular communications, highlighting the need for investigations and considerations in this area. The RL algorithm efficiently identifies optimal paths, ensuring maximum connectivity with ground BSs to ensure safe and reliable BVLoS flight operation. Moreover, the solution can be deployed as an offline path planning module that can be integrated into future ground control systems (GCS) for UAV operations, enhancing their capabilities and safety. The method holds potential for complex long range UAV applications, advancing the technology in the field of cellular connected UAV path planning.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_13336
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Maximizing UAV Cellular Connectivity with Reinforcement Learning for BVLoS Path Planning
Behjati, Mehran
Nordin, Rosdiadee
Abdullah, Nor Fadzilah
Robotics
Machine Learning
This paper presents a reinforcement learning (RL) based approach for path planning of cellular connected unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLoS). The objective is to minimize travel distance while maximizing the quality of cellular link connectivity by considering real world aerial coverage constraints and employing an empirical aerial channel model. The proposed solution employs RL techniques to train an agent, using the quality of communication links between the UAV and base stations (BSs) as the reward function. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in training the agent and generating feasible UAV path plans. The proposed approach addresses the challenges due to limitations in UAV cellular communications, highlighting the need for investigations and considerations in this area. The RL algorithm efficiently identifies optimal paths, ensuring maximum connectivity with ground BSs to ensure safe and reliable BVLoS flight operation. Moreover, the solution can be deployed as an offline path planning module that can be integrated into future ground control systems (GCS) for UAV operations, enhancing their capabilities and safety. The method holds potential for complex long range UAV applications, advancing the technology in the field of cellular connected UAV path planning.
title Maximizing UAV Cellular Connectivity with Reinforcement Learning for BVLoS Path Planning
topic Robotics
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.13336