Channel modeling for UAV-based air-to-ground communications in post-disaster environments using Sionna RT

Abstract

Post-earthquake traffic surges pose significant challenges to terrestrial cellular infrastructure in developing regions, where 4G/5G coverage remains sparse. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying lightweight base stations have emerged as a remedy, yet their propagation characteristics in such harsh environments remain insufficiently understood. This study establishes a comprehensive channel modeling framework tailored to postdisaster scenarios. Computer simulation results gathered from a representative disaster area are assessed through the extraction of path-loss and shadowing parameters. © 2025 IEEE.