Energy-Efficient UAV-Assisted Mobile Edge Computing

Abstract

The ever-increasing amount of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, along with increasing requirements for real-time data analyzing, has given rise to Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), a possible solution. MEC operates by moving processing workloads from resource-constrained IoT devices to ad- jacent edge servers, allowing for speedier analysis of information. However, the resource utilization of these edge servers represents a major concern, particularly in regional or dynamic environments. This is where Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) join in. Because of their flexibility and agility, UAVs have become as viable drivers for servers located far away, providing a novel approach to enhance the current structure. This chapter explores the intriguing possibility of UAVs in improving energy utilization in MEC environments. It begins by looking at the principles of MEC and the issues related with energy usage in edge nodes. It then delves into the ideas of UAV-assisted MEC, putting light on UAVs' distinct benefits, including as flexibility, dexterity, and immediately deployment.