Formation of a Wireless Communication System Based on a Swarm of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Проблематика. На даний час бурхливо розвивається новий напрямок в техніці рухомих систем, пов'язаний із застосуванням множини/групи рухомих багатофункціональних вузлів, які можуть створювати різні просторово-розподілені структури для різних застосувань: від розважальних шоу, до розвідувальної мережі. Йдеться про техніку малих безпілотних літальних апаратів(БЛА), частіше званих дронами, та їх використання в області побудови телекомунікаційних систем. Мета. Метою роботи є розробка основних принципів і стратегій для формування неоднорідної безпроводової системи зв'язку на базі рою безпілотних літаючих апаратів. Методи. Досліджуються структурно-функціональні методи побудови безпроводової мережі. Результати. Представлені сценарії централізованої і розподіленої побудови безпроводової мережі керування рою БЛА, проведена оцінка ускладнення функціональності вузлів рою в разі розподіленого сценарію. Розроблено схему поетапної реалізації життєвого циклу рою БЛА для послуг зв'язку. Представлений«молекулярний» сценарій просторової самоорганізації дронів-вузлів рою, який може бути реалізований за допомогою процедур«ланцюжка» і«спалаху». Запропоновано побудови деяких стратегій управління роєм: централізоване і децентралізоване з Ведучим, колективне само керування з обміном інформацією, децентралізоване керування з прогнозуванням, самоорганізація без обміну інформацією. Висновки. Розроблено основні принципи і стратегії формування неоднорідної безпроводової системи зв'язку на базі рою безпілотних літаючих апаратів. Розроблено стратегію колективного управління роєм дронів.Background. Currently, a new direction in the technology of mobile systems is rapidly developing, associated with the use of a set / group of mobile multifunctional elements that can create different spatially-distributed structures for various applications: from entertainment shows to intelligence networks. This is a technique of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), often called drones, and their use in the field of building telecommunication systems. Objective. The aim of the work is to develop the basic principles and strategies for the formation of a heterogeneous wireless communication system based on a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles. Methods. We study the structural and functional methods of building a wireless network. Results. Scenarios of centralized and distributed building of a wireless network of control of a swarm of UAVs are presented, assessment of the complexity of the functionality of swarm nodes inthe case of a distributed scenario is carried out. A schemeof phased implementation of the life cycle of a UAV swarm for communication services has been developed. The “molecular” scenario of spatial self-organization of the swarm-nodes of the swarm is presented, which can beimplemented using the “chain” and “flash” procedures. The proposed construction of some strategies for managing the swarm: centralized and decentralized with the Leader, collective self-management with information sharing,decentralized management withforecasting, self-organization without information sharing. Conclusions. The basic principles and strategies for the formation of a heterogeneous wireless communication system based on a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles have been developed. A collective management strategy for a swarm of drones was developed. Keywords:swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles; drone swarm; communication system; life cycle; control network.Проблематика. В настоящее время очень бурно развивается новое направление в технике подвижных систем, связанное с применением множества/группы подвижных многофункциональных элементов, которые могут создавать различные пространственно-распределенные структуры для различных применений: от развлекательных шоу, до разведывательной сети. Речь идет о технике малых беспилотных летающих аппаратов(БЛА), чаще называемых дронами, и их использование в области построения телекоммуникационных систем. Цель. Целью работы является разработка основных принципов и стратегий для формирования неоднородной беспроводной системы связи на базе роя беспилотных летающих аппаратов. Методы. Исследуются структурно-функциональные методы построения беспроводной сети. Результаты. Представлены сценарии централизованного и распределенного построения беспроводной сети управления роя БЛА, проведена оценка усложнения функциональности узлов роя в случае распределенного сценария. Разработана схема поэтапной реализации жизненного цикла роя БЛА для услуг связи. Представлен«молекулярный» сценарий пространственной самоорганизации дронов-узлов роя, который может быть реализован посредством процедур

Design of an UAV swarm

This master thesis tries to give an overview on the general aspects involved in the design of an UAV swarm. UAV swarms are continuoulsy gaining popularity amongst researchers and UAV manufacturers, since they allow greater success rates in task accomplishing with reduced times. Appart from this, multiple UAVs cooperating between them opens a new field of missions that can only be carried in this way. All the topics explained within this master thesis will explain all the agents involved in the design of an UAV swarm, from the communication protocols between them, navigation and trajectory analysis and task allocation

Onboard Science Instrument Autonomy for the Detection of Microscopy Biosignatures on the Ocean Worlds Life Surveyor

The quest to find extraterrestrial life is a critical scientific endeavor with civilization-level implications. Icy moons in our solar system are promising targets for exploration because their liquid oceans make them potential habitats for microscopic life. However, the lack of a precise definition of life poses a fundamental challenge to formulating detection strategies. To increase the chances of unambiguous detection, a suite of complementary instruments must sample multiple independent biosignatures (e.g., composition, motility/behavior, and visible structure). Such an instrument suite could generate 10,000x more raw data than is possible to transmit from distant ocean worlds like Enceladus or Europa. To address this bandwidth limitation, Onboard Science Instrument Autonomy (OSIA) is an emerging discipline of flight systems capable of evaluating, summarizing, and prioritizing observational instrument data to maximize science return. We describe two OSIA implementations developed as part of the Ocean Worlds Life Surveyor (OWLS) prototype instrument suite at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The first identifies life-like motion in digital holographic microscopy videos, and the second identifies cellular structure and composition via innate and dye-induced fluorescence. Flight-like requirements and computational constraints were used to lower barriers to infusion, similar to those available on the Mars helicopter, "Ingenuity." We evaluated the OSIA's performance using simulated and laboratory data and conducted a live field test at the hypersaline Mono Lake planetary analog site. Our study demonstrates the potential of OSIA for enabling biosignature detection and provides insights and lessons learned for future mission concepts aimed at exploring the outer solar system.Comment: 49 pages, 18 figures, submitted to The Planetary Science Journal on 2023-04-2

A Vision and Framework for the High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) Networks of the Future

A High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) is a network node that operates in the stratosphere at an of altitude around 20 km and is instrumental for providing communication services. Precipitated by technological innovations in the areas of autonomous avionics, array antennas, solar panel efficiency levels, and battery energy densities, and fueled by flourishing industry ecosystems, the HAPS has emerged as an indispensable component of next-generations of wireless networks. In this article, we provide a vision and framework for the HAPS networks of the future supported by a comprehensive and state-of-the-art literature review. We highlight the unrealized potential of HAPS systems and elaborate on their unique ability to serve metropolitan areas. The latest advancements and promising technologies in the HAPS energy and payload systems are discussed. The integration of the emerging Reconfigurable Smart Surface (RSS) technology in the communications payload of HAPS systems for providing a cost-effective deployment is proposed. A detailed overview of the radio resource management in HAPS systems is presented along with synergistic physical layer techniques, including Faster-Than-Nyquist (FTN) signaling. Numerous aspects of handoff management in HAPS systems are described. The notable contributions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in HAPS, including machine learning in the design, topology management, handoff, and resource allocation aspects are emphasized. The extensive overview of the literature we provide is crucial for substantiating our vision that depicts the expected deployment opportunities and challenges in the next 10 years (next-generation networks), as well as in the subsequent 10 years (next-next-generation networks).Comment: To appear in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorial

Advanced Satellite Research Project: SCAR Research Database. Bibliographic analysis

The literature search was provided to locate and analyze the most recent literature that was relevant to the research. This was done by cross-relating books, articles, monographs, and journals that relate to the following topics: (1) Experimental Systems - Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), and (2) Integrated System Digital Network (ISDN) and Advance Communication Techniques (ISDN and satellites, ISDN standards, broadband ISDN, flame relay and switching, computer networks and satellites, satellite orbits and technology, satellite transmission quality, and network configuration). Bibliographic essay on literature citations and articles reviewed during the literature search task is provided