Análise de desempenho de rede de comunicação para um sistema multi VANT aplicado à varredura de área de impacto de foguetes

Abstract

Research on Multi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (Multi-UAV) is growing in recent years. Among several scientific and technical challenges, a robust data communication network is crucial for the cooperation and collaboration between the UAVs. The network design must take into account factors such as the purpose of the mission, trajectory and path planning, sensor data collection and energy supply. In this way, the present work presents the specification of a data communication network architecture for a squadron of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to be used in the scanning of the rocket impact area for CLBI rocket launch center (Rio grande do Norte, Brazil). Thus, a study on the main characteristics of communication networks for multi-UAV systems and the specificities of the application addressed in this project is done. Two different strategies for the scanning of the rocket impact area are proposed. In order to do a comparative analysis between these strategies and to define an appropriate architecture for the application, the characteristics of the networks for multi-UAV systems that are more appropriate to them are analyzed. In this context, a network architecture based on Xbee Pro 900HP S3B modules, integrated in an embedded computer hardware platform, equipped with GPS and autopilot controller board is proposed. A test plan with Xbee devices is conceived and implemented in order to evaluate their performance in the proposed network architecture in terms of robustness, reliability and energy consumption. In order to measure performance in the possible UAV squad formation scenarios, a network management software is used to measure throughput, packet loss and other performance indicators in the communication links between the different nodes of the network.