Scalable and Robust Communication Network for Autonomous UAV Groups

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have vast applications in commercial, industrial and defense fields. Their size, cost, mobility and stealth gives them advantage over other systems. To further enhance the efficiency and results of these applications, grouping UAVs together in an autonomous (self-guided) multi-agent system, allows for larger areas to be monitored in less time, greater redundancy towards mission success, and various instruments sets to be carried increasing the efficiency of the data collection for each mission. In order for an UAV group to be effective, it is of the utmost importance that the group be equipped with a reliable communication network that enables two-way communication between the UAV agents, a “leader” agent (L), and a ground station. There are types of communication networks among the UAVs and each of these network provide a certain level of reliability, efficiency and robustness. Mathematical tools like graph theory and control theory were utilized to investigate the optimal communication network for a group of UAVs in a multi-agent system. The connected network configuration was found to be the most effective in communicating within the group with greater efficiency and more stabilized communication. This will help in performing group based operations in a more effective and efficient manner.A group of Uavs can be more efficient and effective in performing operations with more sufficient communication networks