Toward Integrated Air-Ground Computing and Communications: A Synergy of Computing Power Networks and Low-Altitude Economy Network

Abstract: With the rapid rise of the Low-Altitude Economy (LAE), the demand for intelligent processing and real-time response in services such as aerial traffic, emergency communications, and environmental monitoring continues to grow. Meanwhile, the Computing Power Network (CPN) aims to integrate global computing resources and perform on-demand scheduling to efficiently handle services from diverse sources. However, it is limited by static deployment and limited adaptability. In this paper, we analyze the complementary relationship between LAE and CPN and propose a novel air-ground collaborative intelligent service provision with an agentification paradigm. Through synergy between LAE and CPNs, computing and communication services are jointly scheduled and collaboratively optimized to enhance the execution efficiency of low-altitude services and improve the flexibility of CPNs. It also integrates LAE's strengths in aerial sensing, mobile coverage, and dynamic communication links, forming a cloud-edge-air collaborative framework. Hence, we review the characteristics and limitations of both LAE and CPN and explore how they can cooperate to overcome these limitations. Then we demonstrate the flexibility of the integrated CPN and LAE framework through a case study. Finally, we summarize the key challenges in constructing an integrated air-ground computing and communication system and discuss future research directions toward emerging technologies.

• The paper introduces a synergy framework combining mobile low-altitude networks with global computing to optimize real-time services.
• Experimental evaluations reveal improved task success rates and efficient resource allocation in hotspot regions using the integrated model.
• The framework leverages collaborative control and adaptive task offloading to deliver scalable and resilient air-ground communications.

Toward Integrated Air-Ground Computing and Communications

The paper "Toward Integrated Air-Ground Computing and Communications: A Synergy of Computing Power Networks and Low-Altitude Economy Network" (2511.18720) articulates a sophisticated integration framework between the Low-Altitude Economy (LAE) network and the Computing Power Network (CPN), aiming to address inherent limitations and optimize operational efficiencies in dynamic environments. The research outlines a paradigm which leverages the inherent complementary attributes of LAE and CPN to form a robust, resilient, and intelligent air-ground cooperative system.

Introduction to LAE and CPN

Low-Altitude Economy

The rapid growth of LAE, driven by Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), marks a transition in utilizing low-altitude airspace for diversified intelligent services. Incorporating edge computing, AI, and advanced communications (5G/6G), LAE presents a networked service-oriented ecosystem capable of urban logistics, aerial sensing, and emergency communications, although constrained by limited node computing capacity and dynamic network variability [ref2].

Computing Power Network

CPN, as a computing-centric network paradigm, aggregates global resources to enable Computing-as-a-Service (CaaS), integrating cloud, edge, and end devices. This network addresses latency-sensitive applications through computing power abstraction and in-network computing, although its static infrastructure hinders dynamic adaptability, particularly in mobile contexts [ref3, ref4].

Complementarity of LAE and CPN

Both LAE and CPN face challenges. LAE struggles with computational constraints and network heterogeneity, while CPN contends with fixed node deployments and dynamic service demands. However, their integration provides synergistic enhancements: LAE's mobility and real-time sensing complement CPN's global computing power and optimization capabilities, resulting in scalable and efficient computing and communication services.

Figure 1: LAE features wide-area mobility and real-time sensing capabilities, while CPN provides powerful global computing scheduling and intelligent optimization.

Synergy Mechanisms

Air-Ground Collaboration

The synergy between CPN and LAE encompasses collaborative control, joint AI training, and communication-computing co-optimization. CPN supports LAE with distributed computational resources for sophisticated tasks, while LAE extends CPN's service reach through mobility and real-time sensing, ensuring robust responsiveness in dynamic conditions [ref7, ref13].

Figure 2: The agentification approach integrates perception, planning, action, and reflection capabilities for operational synergy between LAE and CPN.

Mutual Assistance in Networks

CPN alleviates LAE's computational limitations by offloading tasks to powerful nodes, enabling efficient resource allocation and routing optimization. Conversely, LAE fortifies CPN's flexibility, providing aerial communication relays and extending network services to remote areas, thus addressing real-time environmental changes and enhancing dynamic task adaptation [ref1, ref7].

Case Study Insights

Framework and Implementation

The agentification paradigm transforms LAE-CPN interaction into a real-time collaborative ecosystem, facilitating resource allocation adjustments in service hotspot regions. This framework assigns intelligent agent roles to LAE and CPN nodes, optimizing air-ground interactions through real-time state sharing and adaptable task execution [ref17].

Experimental Evaluation

The case study reveals substantial improvements in task success rates within the integrated environment compared to standalone LAE or CPN systems. Numerical simulations demonstrate the framework's effectiveness in handling service hotspots by smartly deploying LAE nodes to support computational workloads in congested regions.

Figure 3: Task success rate versus task count shows improved performance with integrated CPN-LAE framework.

Figure 4: Task success rate versus movement of hotspot area highlights adaptive response capabilities.

Future Directions

Enhancing Integration with Digital Twins

Future research should explore digital twins to simulate, predict, and optimize the integrated LAE-CPN system, facilitating proactive resource management and maintenance.

Addressing Security and Privacy

Security protocols must evolve to address vulnerabilities exposed by integration, focusing on multilayered defenses and privacy-preserving techniques for distributed networks.

Improving Energy Efficiency

Energy-aware protocols will be crucial, necessitating intelligent task scheduling and optimized routing to balance latency and consumption in UAV operations.

Conclusion

The paper provides a detailed examination of how integrating LAE and CPN can construct a flexible, intelligent air-ground network system capable of addressing dynamic service demands. The synergy of LAE's mobility and CPN's computational power offers a pathway to enhanced efficiency, scalability, and adaptability in real-time computing and communication applications.