Your smartphone could get its signal from the sky thanks to an amazing drone armada that complements traditional cell towers

Date:
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:40:00 +0000

Description:
Researchers propose a drone-based system that supports mobile networks by improving coverage, reducing delays, and maintaining fresher data during congestion or outages.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Drone swarms could act as temporary cell towers during network failures AURA-GreeN balances delay, energy use, and signal reliability simultaneously Data freshness improves significantly through reduced age of information Mobile networks are built around fixed towers, but this model often struggles when demand spikes or infrastructure fails unexpectedly.

A research effort from Stevens Institute of Technology explores a different approach, where coordinated drones act as temporary cell towers that extend
or stabilize coverage when ground systems fall short. The idea does not discard existing infrastructure but instead works alongside it, forming a flexible layer that can respond to changing conditions in real time. Article continues below You may like What CES 2026 didnt show: The quiet crisis in wireless capacity nobody is talking about 'The new era of Infinite Flight begins': Novel tech can wireless charge drones almost 2Km away using a kilowatt-class laser and a lightweight charger This potentially life-saving breakthrough uses bat-like pulses to turn smartphones into radars to alert users of danger A network that adapts in the air The system, known as AURA-GreeN, relies on multiple drones which function as moving radio units rather than fixed transmission points.

These aerial nodes communicate with each other and with users, adjusting
their positions and roles based on current network conditions, allowing the system to behave like a network that appears when needed rather than one that is permanently installed.

That will be felt particularly hard in big cities with large populations and fewer spaces to add more cell phone towers, says Ying Wang, an associate professor at the Stevens Department of Systems Engineering.

In busy cities especially during things like traffic management, disasters, or search-and-rescue we need fast, reliable wireless communication, she
adds. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The system continuously evaluates signal quality, interference, and traffic load, then decides how to route data and distribute available spectrum.

This dynamic coordination attempts to keep connections stable even when conventional networks are congested or partially unavailable.

AURA-GreeN also extends its role beyond simply maintaining coverage by focusing on how efficiently information moves across the network. What to
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Rather than only ensuring connectivity, the system evaluates how current and relevant transmitted data remains, a concept the researchers describe as the age of information.

This adds another layer to how performance is assessed, especially in situations where timing is critical.

It keeps the age of information low, meaning the data you see is always very fresh and closely reflects what is happening right now, says Ishan Aryendu, a PhD candidate.

We saw that there was a 460% improvement in the age of information.

At the same time, the system manages multiple demands, including reducing delays, allocating spectrum efficiently, maintaining stable connections, and operating within energy limits.

However, balancing these priorities is not without challenges, as
improvements in one area can place pressure on others.

While testing results appear promising, real-world deployment may introduce constraints not fully reflected in controlled environments.

Beyond emergencies, the system could support large gatherings where
smartphone networks may face sudden demand.

The researchers note that beginner drones used for filming can also provide coverage, adding that we are piggybacking on drones that already provide the coverage of the event. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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