Mesh Network Architecture for Resilient Communications in Autonomous UAV Swarms

Context & Justification

Swarm operations with multiple UAVs require robust, low-latency, and fault-tolerant communication infrastructure. Point-to-point communication systems or those relying exclusively on a centralized base station present critical limitations in terms of coverage, scalability, and resilience to the loss of intermediate nodes.

Mesh networks allow each UAV to simultaneously act as a transmitting node and information relay, dynamically building alternative routes in case of failures. This project designs and implements a mesh communication architecture for UAVs, evaluating ad-hoc routing protocols and their performance under high-mobility conditions and geographic obstacles typical of Ecuadorian terrain.

Main Research Goal

Specific Scopes

• Evaluate and select ad-hoc routing protocols (OLSR, AODV, B.A.T.M.A.N.) for highly dynamic mobile networks through NS-3 simulation.
• Design the embedded communication hardware architecture for each UAV node, selecting radio frequency modules with optimal balances between weight, power, and bandwidth.
• Implement the selected communication protocol on real hardware (Raspberry Pi / ArduPilot autopilot) and validate network performance in coordinated flight scenarios.
• Analyze the impact of network topology on telemetry and control command transmission latency in formations of 3, 5, and 8 UAVs.

Research Products