Assessing the Communication Issues Involved in Implemening High-Level Behaviors in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used in many applications, both military and civilian. There is a push by researchers to implement coordinated behaviors in groups of autonomous UAVs. Such coordinated behavior requires a reliable degree of communication between cooperating aircraft. Therefore, this research examines one such group behavior, namely formation flight, from a network standpoint. A mobility model is described that represents stressful flying conditions, and a series of simulations are run to explore the network constraints that are placed on a formation of flying autonomous UAVs. The results of these simulations are useful for UAV operators to know the limits of the formation from a wireless network standpoint. Furthermore, these simulations provide a starting point for further research into protocols that can yield improved results