Secure system based on UAV and BLE for improving SAR missions

TL;DR

This paper presents an integrated UAV and BLE beacon system to enhance Search and Rescue missions by detecting missing persons' signals and determining their GPS locations, addressing security concerns in the process.

Contribution

It introduces a novel UAV-BLE based system for SAR that combines drone sensing with beacon detection and security considerations, improving rescue efficiency.

Findings

Effective detection of BLE signals by drones in SAR scenarios

Accurate GPS localization of missing persons using the system

Discussion of security vulnerabilities and protections implemented

Abstract

This work describes an integrated solution to face a civil security problem in the area of Search And Rescue (SAR) of missing people. This proposal is based on the use of emerging technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), also known as drones, and the use of simulated beacons on smartphones. In particular, in the presented tool, drones fly synchronously in a specific area so that each drone uses on-board sensors to scan and detect any signal emitted by Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons from smartphones of missing people. This technique allows getting the GPS position of any detected missing person. This work also includes some security issues related to possible attacks focused on the perimeter and physical security.