Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), mesh networks, and other kinds of networks are constantly used in the context of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles. This paper proposes the use of 3D wireless ad hoc networks to allow the fusion of the digital and the physical worlds.

Li et al. describe related work on 2D and 3D ad hoc networks, and discuss the clear gap in the literature. The paper represents a good overview of ad hoc networks, demonstrating their capacity bounds. If you want more information about mathematical concepts of nonhomogeneous ad hoc networks (NANETs) and regular ad hoc networks (RANETs), with a focus on 3D networks, this paper is a good place to start. The authors also compare 3D and 2D networks mathematically.

This paper, with its focus on the emerging area of 3D networks, which could address new problems and support emerging technologies, is well done.