Distributed Self-allocated Time Slot Reuse: Multi-hop Communication in Rigid UAV Formations

TL;DR

This paper introduces D-STR, a distributed protocol for UAV formations that ensures collision-free communication of safety information, enhancing safety and deployment efficiency in various industrial scenarios.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel distributed self-allocated time slot reuse protocol tailored for multi-hop UAV formations with different topologies.

Findings

Enables collision-free safety communication in UAV formations.

Supports various network topologies for flexible deployment.

Improves safety and efficiency in UAV formation deployment.

Abstract

Deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in autonomous formations necessitates accurate and timely communication of safety information. A communication protocol that supports timely and successful transfer of safety information between UAVs is therefore needed. This paper presents Distributed Self-allocated Time slot Reuse (D-STR). Our D-STR protocol addresses the essential task of communicating safety information in rigid Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) formations with different network topologies, enabling collision-free deployment of the formation. This is an important step for improving the safety and practicality of UAV formations in application scenarios that span a range of industries.