Reconfigurable OFDM Transceivers for UAVs

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are becoming an integral part of modern life. They are increasingly used in communication, surveillance, photography and filmmaking, military operations and commercial applications. As drones take on more diverse roles, their communication systems must be highly efficient, reliable, and flexible. One promising way to meet these demands is through Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transceivers. OFDM is a popular communication technology known for its ability to transmit data effectively, even in challenging environments such as cities or over long distances. It excels at mitigating signal interference caused by reflections (multipath propagation) and efficiently using the available frequency spectrum. These features make OFDM an excellent choice for drone communication. However, UAVs often need to operate across a variety of environments and support multiple communication standards, such as 5G, Wi-Fi, and IoT. This creates a need for transceivers that can adapt to these varied requirements. A reconfigurable OFDM transceiver addresses this need by supporting multiple communication standards and adjusting its parameters in real-time, enabling seamless communication across different networks. This is especially important for drones, as they frequently switch between tasks and environments. For instance, a drone may need high-speed connections for streaming video in one scenario and low-power connections for transmitting sensor data in another. This survey paper focuses on the design, development, and challenges associated with building multi-standard reconfigurable OFDM transceivers for drone applications. It reviews key technologies, recent advancements, and future possibilities.