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Cooperative relaying for ad-hoc ground networks using swarm UAVs | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

Cooperative relaying for ad-hoc ground networks using swarm UAVs


Abstract:

Low cost UAVs have proved valuable in their use as sensor data collection systems in tactical situations. In this paper we examine their use as communication relays to im...Show More

Abstract:

Low cost UAVs have proved valuable in their use as sensor data collection systems in tactical situations. In this paper we examine their use as communication relays to improve range and reliability of ad hoc ground based network. MIMO based wireless communications are well known to improve capacity and reliability of point-to-point communication links. Recently, cooperation between distributed wireless nodes has been studied to exploit multi user macro diversity in an adhoc network. Application of MIMO techniques using distributed wireless nodes are also envisioned, where the cooperating nodes become the virtual antennas of a MIMO transceiver. Inspired by the recent advances in multi-UAV formation flights, we study the application of such distributed MIMO based relay schemes on a cluster of multiple UAVs. Specifically we look at the performance of distributed transmit beamforming and distributed OSTBC schemes under ideal and non ideal conditions of UAV flight. Simulation parameters are chosen based on literature study of air-to-ground propagation models. The results from our simulations show tremendous improvements in range and reliability when compared to direct ground based communication links.
Date of Conference: 17-20 October 2005
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 20 March 2006
Print ISBN:0-7803-9393-7

ISSN Information:

Conference Location: Atlantic City, NJ, USA

INTRODUCTION

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have recently gained the attention as dispensable autonomous vehicles for relaying sensor data for aerial surveillance during military operations. An emerging application is the use of small UAVs as relay nodes to form reliable communication links for ad-hoc ground networks in tactical situations. Field tests were conducted in [1] using a wireless node onboard a single UAV for an 802.11b ad-hoc ground network with fixed nodes. The results show that the throughput using a UAV based relay increases by a factor of two and connectivity improves by as much as 67% when compared to the ad hoc ground network without using the UAV.

References

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