IEEE JSTSP Special Issue on Advanced AI and Signal Processing for Low-Altitude Wireless Networks

CALL FOR PAPERS - IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing

Advanced AI and Signal Processing for Low-Altitude Wireless Networks

Low-altitude wireless networks (LAWNs), which interconnect unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), low-altitude platform stations, aerial robots, and connected ground vehicles, are set to be the backbone of next-generation intelligent systems. These networks facilitate critical applications such as last-mile delivery, disaster relief, air-traffic surveillance, smart-city sensing, and precision agriculture. However, operating in a three-dimensional (3-D) environment below 3 km altitude introduces unique challenges due to rapid topology changes, Doppler shifts, altitude-dependent interference, and stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. While traditional wireless network designs have focused on 2-D communication environments, the distinctive 3-D nature of LAWN calls for novel signal processing approaches to address the complexities of these dynamic, aerial systems. Furthermore, emerging artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including generative models, large-language-model (LLM)-inspired protocol agents, transformers, and graph neural networks, offer transformative potential for enhancing the design and optimization of LAWN systems. 

This Special Issue seeks to bring together the latest advancements in signal processing and AI to address the unique challenges faced by LAWN. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • 3-D air-space-aware channel modelling & tracking with adaptive signal processing
  • Cooperative localization and navigation for multi-drone meshes
  • Doppler-resilient waveform design and altitude-adaptive precoding design
  • AI-enhanced 3D beamforming
  • Energy-efficient signal processing for battery-constrained LAWNs
  • Generative AI and digital-twin frameworks for signal processing in LAWNs
  • Dynamic spectrum access, 3-D routing, and adaptive trajectory control in LAWNs
  • Federated/split/edge continual learning under SWaP and intermittent backhaul constraints
  • Transformer and LLM for cross-plane resource management
  • Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) for LAWNs
  • Joint communication–sensing–control design for LAWNs
  • Signal Processing for altitude-aware interference coordination
  • Physical-layer security against low-altitude jamming & eavesdropping
  • Semantic and goal-oriented communication paradigms
  • Millimetre-wave and THz signal processing for LAWNs
  • MIMO signal optimization and control for urban 3D airspace
  • Edge–cloud collaborative signal processing in LAWNs
  • Blockchain-enabled signal security for LAWNs
  • Prototype platforms for LAWN-specific signal processing breakthroughs

Prospective authors should follow the instructions given on the IEEE JSTSP webpage and submit their manuscripts via the IEEE Author Portal submission system.

Important Dates (Tentative)

  • Manuscript Submission Deadline: November 16, 2025
  • First Decision: February 06, 2026
  • Revised Manuscript: February 27, 2026
  • Final Decision: March 15, 2026
  • Final Manuscript Due: March 22, 2026
  • Publication Date: April 2026

Guest Editors

Weijie Yuan (Lead), Southern University of Science and Technology, China (yuanwj@sustech.edu.cn)

Geng Sun, Jilin University, China (sungeng@jlu.edu.cn)

Akhilesh Thyagaturu, Intel Corporation, US (athyagat@asu.edu)

Xiao Lu, Ericsson, Canada (xiao.lu@ericsson.com)

Dusit Niyato, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (dniyato@ntu.edu.sg)

Wei Zhang, University of New South Wales, Australia (w.zhang@unsw.edu.au)

George Karagiannidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (geokarag@auth.gr)

Sumei Sun, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (sunsm@i2r.a-star.edu.sg)

Yonina Eldar, Weizmann Institute of Science, Isreal (yonina.eldar@weizmann.ac.il)

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JSTSP Call for Papers