Energy Efficient Data Forwarding in Disconnected Networks Using Cooperative UAVs

Abstract

Data forwarding from a source to a sink node when they are not within the communication range is a challenging problem in wireless networking. With the increasing demand of wireless networks, several applications have emerged where a group of users are disconnected from their targeted destinations. Therefore, we consider in this paper a multi-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) system to convey collected data from isolated fields to the base station. In each field, a group of sensors or Internet of Things devices are distributed and send their data to one UAV. The UAVs collaborate in forwarding the collected data to the base station in order to maximize the minimum battery level for all UAVs by the end of the service time. Hence, a group of UAVs can meet at a waypoint along their path to the base station such that one UAV collects the data from all other UAVs and moves forward to another meeting point or the base station. All other UAVs that relayed their messages return back to their initial locations. All collected data from all fields reach to the base station within a certain maximum time to guarantee a certain quality of service. We formulate the problem as a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Program (MINLP), then we reformulated the problem as Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) after we linearize the mathematical model. Simulations results show the advantages of adopting the proposed model in using the UAVs' energy more efficiently.

Task-Based Network Reconfiguration in Distributed UAV Swarms: A Bilateral Matching Approach

“…2: Stage I: Build preference lists for small UAVs and master UAVs 3: The preference lists of small UAVs are constructed according to ( 14) and ( 16). 4: The preference lists of master UAVs are constructed according to (20) and ( 21). 5: Stage II: Matching evaluation 6: Each small UAV m applies for master UAVs according to its initial preference list.…”

“…The authors in [19] established a task planning model, where the task execution sequence was considered. In [20], a multi-UAV system was used to convey collected data from isolated fields to a base station, where UAVs collaborate in forwarding the collected data to maximize the minimum battery level for all UAVs by the end of the service time. The existing research has focused on task allocation and ignored the resource optimization problem of the network under established task conditions [18], [19].…”

“…The existing research has focused on task allocation and ignored the resource optimization problem of the network under established task conditions [18], [19]. Although some related work has studied task allocation and UAV communication network optimization [12], [20], the network robustness and reconfiguration issues in complex dynamic environments have been ignored.…”

Secure data dissemination techniques for IoT applications: Research challenges and opportunities

“…Almasoud et al 50 designed a data dissemination method, especially for randomly isolated fields by the use of cooperative UAVs. Authors categorized these cooperative UAVs into multiple groups, where the forwarding of messages from separated fields was guaranteed in a particular group.…”

UAV-Based Intelligent Transportation System for Emergency Reporting in Coverage Holes of Wireless Networks

“…In [ 9 ], the authors considered an energy-efficient scheme used by cooperative UAVs that collect and disseminate data. Given that a set of fields are located within coverage holes, a cooperative set of UAVs collect data from these fields and cooperate in delivering the collected data to prolong the lifetimes of the UAVs.…”