2026-03-28 Latest Published
By Jihui Shi
Jian Song
Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 168, 1-10, 2026
Abstract
To enhance communication performance in mountainous environments, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted communication systems have emerged as a mainstream solution. Channel modeling for UAV-assisted communication is a critical research focus, confronting prominent challenges, including balancing computational efficiency and modeling accuracy. This paper proposes a hybrid modeling approach that combines ray tracing (RT) and the variable-step Fourier transform-based Split-Step Parabolic Equation (V-FSSPE) to address the issue. The proposed method fully leverages the strengths of RT in accurately calculating direct, reflected, and diffracted propagation paths, as well as the advantages of V-FSSPE in efficiently modeling long-distance and large-scale areas. A hierarchical model suitable for low-altitude UAV communication is thereby established. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared with traditional modeling methods, the proposed method in this study effectively balances accuracy and efficiency in terrain-dominated air-to-ground channels, making it suitable for millimeter wave (mmWave) communication and emergency communication network planning in terrain-dominated propagation environments. Since factors such as vegetation and atmospheric effects have not yet been incorporated, practical deployment requires case-specific corrections based on the actual environment. Nonetheless, this framework is expected to provide important theoretical references and foundational support for the design and optimization of communication systems in related fields.
