Physics of Communication, Sensing, and Security in UAV-Enabled Low-Altitude Intelligent Networks

Driven by advances in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networking technologies, low-altitude airspace is evolving into an intelligent network that supports air-ground connectivity and cooperative sensing.
Such networks are expected to support emergency response, urban logistics, and infrastructure inspection, enabling aerial sensing, data relay, and task-oriented information collection in low-altitude environments. UAV nodes can extend observation coverage, bridge temporary communication gaps, and provide flexible information services for tasks that are difficult to accomplish using fixed terrestrial facilities alone.
The dynamic low-altitude environment introduces complex electromagnetic propagation phenomena - including multipath scattering, diffraction, and Doppler effects - that fundamentally govern channel behaviour and impose physical constraints on network design. Furthermore, the openness of low-altitude wireless channels weakens the controllability of network access and signal propagation, making physical-layer security an equally critical issue for low-altitude intelligent networks.

The goal of this Research Topic is to advance the fundamental physical understanding of communication, sensing, and security mechanisms in UAV-enabled low-altitude intelligent networks. We seek to bring together researchers working at the intersection of electromagnetic propagation physics, wireless communications, signal processing, and artificial intelligence to address key challenges in this field.

Specific objectives include:
• elucidating the physical mechanisms of low-altitude channel propagation, scattering, and mobility-induced variability in air-ground links
• developing improved theoretical, computational, and experimental methods for cooperative communications and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
• establishing physical criteria for RF fingerprinting, spectrum coordination, and anti-UAV identification under open wireless conditions
• translating fundamental research into practical pathways for physical-layer security and trusted network operation.

By achieving these goals, this collection aims to reveal the intrinsic relationships among air-ground links, RF signatures, sensing information, and security boundaries, bridging theoretical physics with engineering practice to enhance connectivity, perceptibility, identifiability, and trusted operation in UAV networks.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions addressing the physics of communication, sensing, and security in UAV-enabled low-altitude intelligent networks. Themes of interest include but are not limited to:
• Low-altitude channel modelling and electromagnetic propagation physics
• UAV swarm coordination, collaborative networking, and integrated Space-Air-Ground systems
• Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), UAV localisation, navigation, and tracking
• AI-driven resource management, spectrum sensing and sharing, and digital twins for UAV networks
• RF fingerprinting, anti-UAV technology, and physical-layer security

We invite Original Research, Review, Methods, and Mini Review articles. All contributions must advance the physical understanding of UAV-enabled low-altitude networks and demonstrate clear relevance to communication, sensing, or security applications.