A computational tool to assess communications’ range and capacity limits of ad-hoc networks of UAVs operating in maritime scenarios

This paper presents a new computational tool that can be applied to the analysis of communications range and capacity limits of a team of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) operating in ad-hoc networks. The proposed tool is implemented using a modular approach and provides the maximum range of the UAV network, depending on the number of UAVs, on the video data rate of each UAV, and on the number of simultaneous video transmissions. Two application scenarios in maritime environments are specifically considered: 1) collaborative search and tracking of targets and 2) circular formation flight for detection of external threats to ship convoys. Numerical simulations are presented, allowing to characterize the performance of the network. Preliminary flight test results using two ANTEX-X02 UAVs from the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) are also included.