Priority-Based Data Collection for UAV-Aided Mobile Sensor Network

Abstract

In this work, we study data collection in multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-aided mobile wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The network topology is changing due to the mobility of the UAVs and the sensor nodes, so the design of efficient data collection protocols is a major concern. We address such high dynamic network and propose two mechanisms: prioritized-based contact-duration frame selection mechanism (PCdFS), and prioritized-based multiple contact-duration frame selection mechanisms (PMCdFS) to build collision-free scheduling and balance the nodes between the multi-UAV respectively. Based on the two mechanisms, we proposed a Balance algorithm to conduct the collision-free communication between the mobile nodes and the multi-UAVs. Two key design ideas for a Balance algorithm are: (a) no need of higher priority for those nodes that have lower transmission rate between them and the UAV and (b) improve the communication opportunity for those nodes that have shorter contact duration with the UAVs. We demonstrate the performance of proposed algorithms through extensive simulations, and real experiments. These experiments using 15 mobile nodes at a path with 10 intersections and 1 island, present that network fairness is efficiently enhanced. We also confirm the applicability of proposed algorithms in a challenging and realistic scenario through numerous experiments on a path at Tongji campus in Shanghai, China.

Duration-aware Data Collection in UAV-aided Mobile Sensor Networks

“…And its changing of speeds during collecting time is obtained through adding a random disturbance on the initial speeds. In (b), we utilize the real experiment movement data in [4] which are conducted on Jia'er Road, which width and length are 5 meters and 1200 meters respectively, in Tongji University. As presented in Fig.…”

“…Most of these researches address on deterministic topology where the sensor is static deployed its positions could be known through different methods. The data collection issues which studied on dynamic topology are seldom covered [4].…”

“…In static network, all sensors are static deployed, and only the UAV is mobile. The flying information of the UAV including the trajectory could be designed in advanced and be well controlled through professional flight control system [4]. However, in mobile case, the movements of the targets are unknown and it could be randomly in some applications such as animal tracking etc.…”

Optimization and Communication in UAV Networks

“…This is an exciting optimization problem. Works [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] propose different approaches to address this issue with different perspectives. Different criteria are considered to plan the trajectory of the UAV and different functions are optimized.…”

“…Reference [ 1 ] proposes to visit the nodes in a given order and for a variable time that depend on a node priority, while in [ 2 ], the authors aim to maximize the data collection utility by jointly optimizing the communication scheduling and trajectory of each UAV. The data collection utility is determined by the amount and value of the collected data and a novel trajectory planning algorithm is designed to maximize it.…”