Performance Analysis of UAV-Assisted Maritime Internet of Things Under FTR Channel Model

Abstract

Due to the sparse node distribution and the harsh propagation environment in Maritime Internet of Things (MIoT), traditional local mobile self-organizing networks relying on direct Device-to-device (D2D) communications face limited coverage and frequent link outages. To address these issues, this letter investigates the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted MIoT, where UAVs serve as aerial base stations to provide enhanced coverage. Using stochastic geometry, we develop a system model that consists of the D2D tier and the UAV tier, respectively employing the Fluctuating Two-Ray (FTR) model and Nakagami- $m$ model. Then, analytical expressions of coverage probability and achievable rate, along with their tight upper and lower bounds, are derived. Simulation results validate the theoretical analysis, confirming both the coverage improvement from UAV deployment and the effectiveness of the FTR model. It is further shown that by optimizing the UAV deployment with appropriate density, altitude, and antenna array size, the inter-layer interference can be effectively mitigated thus improving the coverage probability and achievable rate.