Secure UAV communication networks over 5G

Wireless communications can leverage UAVs to provide ubiquitous connectivity to different device types. Recently, integrating UAVs into a macro cell network is drawing unprecedented interest for supplementing terrestrial cellular networks. Compared with communications with fixed infrastructure, a UAV has salient attributes, such as easy-to-deploy, higher capacity due to dominant LoS communication links, and additional design degree-of-freedom with the controlled mobility. While UAV communication offers numerous benefits, it also faces security challenges due to the broadcasting nature of the wireless medium. Thus, information security is one of the fundamental requirements. In this article, we first consider two application cases of UAVs (i.e., a UAV as a flying base station and a UAV as an aerial node) in conjunction with safeguarding the exchange of confidential messages. Then, we demonstrate physical layer security mechanisms via two case studies to ensure security, and numerically show superior performance gains. Finally, we shed light on new opportunities in the emerging network architecture that can serve as a guide for future research directions.