English

Low-Altitude Wireless Networks: The Next Horizon of Wireless Infrastructure

Networking and Internet Architecture 2026-05-26 v1

Abstract

Low-altitude airspace, roughly defined as the region up to 3000 meters above ground level, is envisioned as a new spatial domain for daily human and machine activities. This article introduces the concept of the Low-Altitude Wireless Network (LAWN), which represents a paradigm shift from the current ground-based communication-only network to a three-dimensional (3D) multifunctional network. We analyze the key driving forces, network architecture, and limiting factors of LAWN, with a particular focus on the tight integration of communication, sensing, and control in highly dynamic airspace environments. By establishing the coupling between airspace capacity and wireless channel capacity, we reveal the intrinsic limits of airspace management and identify the fundamental challenges and opportunities associated with its evolution.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2605.24368,
  title  = {Low-Altitude Wireless Networks: The Next Horizon of Wireless Infrastructure},
  author = {Yuanhao Cui and Jiali Nie and Weijie Yuan and Fan Liu and Ziye Jia and Jie Xu and Zhiyong Feng and Mohamed-Slim Alouini},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.24368},
  year   = {2026}
}