Cooperative asynchronous communication network for multiple UAVs in an uncertain environment

Project Title

Cooperative asynchronous communication network for multiple UAVs in an uncertain environment

Project Area of Specialization Information & Communication TechnologyProject Summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft that flies without a human on-board the aircraft. Over the past few decades, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has increased dramatically in numerous areas ranging from agricultural and mineral monitoring to search and rescue, surveillance, and disaster management missions. To carry out any operation an effective communication network for multiple UAVs is required. In the past, the area searching methods involved a preplanning trajectory using a single UAV. However, more recently, considering the increasing complexity of the potential environments (area of search) and time constraints, multi-UAV based cooperative search methods are used which require communication between the UAVs. UAV communications systems help drones and their operators to achieve their desired results. Without these systems, not only would unmanned flight be considered unobtainable, but would also make collecting and transmitting aerial visuals and communications data impossible

To design, develop and implement effective node to node communication for UAVs in an uncertain environment certain parameters and protocols have to be considered.

To design, develop and implement effective node to node communication for UAVs in an uncertain environment certain parameters and options have to be considered.

There are some factors that should be considered when UAVs communicate. One of them is spectrum efficiency. It refers to the information rate that can be transmitted over a given bandwidth in a specific communication system. A higher data rate can provide data transmission in a shorter time. Another important factor is endurance. When UAVs are flying in the sky, they need the energy to maintain their flight. Energy is a limited resource, especially for small UAVs. When UAVs transmit data, range and data rate are dependent upon the available/used energy in the aircraft. In military application field, there are also several other subjects that could be focused on, such as: relay capability, data security, among others.

By using the wireless technique and considering some influential factors and realistic conditions, the goal is to accomplish the communication among two or more static nodes and then dynamic nodes. The transmit data is chosen to be text-based, for example, mission commands or flight status data.

Project Objectives

1) To develop an asynchronous communication network among uavs

2) To transmit and receive text messages using a communication device 

Project Implementation Method

We used XCTU software to configure the XBEEs as coordinator or router. The Arduinos were used to give power to the XBEEs and to store information. The XBEEs were then placed to see if they communicate effectively.

Benefits of the Project

Over the past few decades, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has increased dramatically in numerous areas ranging from agricultural and mineral monitoring to search and rescue, surveillance, and disaster management missions. To carry out any operation an effective communication network for multiple UAVs is required. In the past, the area searching methods involved a preplanning trajectory using a single UAV. However, more recently, considering the increasing complexity of the potential environments (area of search) and time constraints, multi-UAV based cooperative search methods are used which require communication between the UAVs. UAV communications systems help drones and their operators to achieve their desired results. Without these systems, not only would unmanned flight be considered unobtainable, but would also make collecting and transmitting aerial visuals and communications data impossible

UAV-assisted communications have several promising advantages, such as the ability to facilitate on-demand deployment, high flexibility in network reconfiguration, and high chance of having LoS communication links.

It is important to communicate effectively with your drone to avoid disastrous collisions. If you are in control of your drone remotely, you need to be able to communicate how to move in its environment to keep the drone, and others, safe. 

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

• Static node to node communication (2 nodes)

• Static node to node communication (4 nodes)

• Communication between one dynamic node and one static node.

•Communication between 4 dynamic nodes.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry TelecommunicationOther Industries Security Core Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other Technologies Artificial Intelligence(AI)Sustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Life on LandRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	75100
ZigBee	Equipment	6	4600	27600
ZigBee base	Equipment	6	1800	10800
Arduino uno	Equipment	6	2500	15000
Breadboard	Equipment	4	450	1800
LED	Equipment	6	500	3000
Jumper wires	Equipment	5	300	1500
XBee base Cables	Equipment	6	500	3000
Arduino cables	Equipment	6	400	2400
Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous	1	10000	10000