UNet: A Generic and Reliable Multi-UAV Communication and Networking Architecture for Heterogeneous Applications

TL;DR

This paper introduces a versatile multi-UAV communication architecture supporting heterogeneous applications, ensuring reliable connectivity, protocol interoperability, and remote control capabilities, validated through practical implementation and performance evaluation.

Contribution

It presents a generic, reliable multi-UAV networking architecture with a multi-protocol gateway and a user-friendly ground control system, addressing diverse application needs.

Findings

Effective support for heterogeneous UAV applications

Seamless connectivity across different network types

Validated performance through practical implementation

Abstract

The rapid growth of UAV applications necessitates a robust communication and networking architecture capable of addressing the diverse requirements of various applications concurrently, rather than relying on application-specific solutions. This paper proposes a generic and reliable multi-UAV communication and networking architecture designed to support the varying demands of heterogeneous applications, including short-range and long-range communication, star and mesh topologies, different data rates, and multiple wireless standards. Our architecture accommodates both adhoc and infrastructure networks, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the network. Additionally, we present the design of a multi-protocol UAV gateway that enables interoperability among various communication protocols. Furthermore, we introduce a data processing and service layer framework with a graphical user interface of a ground control station that facilitates remote control and monitoring from any location at any time. We practically implemented the proposed architecture and evaluated its performance using different metrics, demonstrating its effectiveness.