Abstract: This paper proposes and evaluates a modular architecture of an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for search and rescue missions. Multiple multicopters are coordinated using a distributed control system. The system is implemented in the Robot Operating System (ROS) and is capable of providing a real-time video stream from a UAV to one or more base stations using a wireless communications infrastructure. The system supports a heterogeneous set of UAVs and camera sensors. If necessary, an operator can interfere and reduce the autonomy. The system has been tested in an outdoor mission serving as a proof of concept. Some insights from these tests are described in the paper.

Abstract: Networks of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) equipped with various sensors are increasingly used for civil applications, such as monitoring, surveillance, and disaster management. In this article, we discuss the communication requirements raised by applications in MAV networks. We propose a novel system representation that can be used to specify different application demands. To this end, we extract key functionalities expected in an MAV network. We map these functionalities into building blocks to characterize the expected communication needs. Based on insights from our own and related real-world experiments, we discuss the capabilities of existing communications technologies and their limitations to implement the proposed building blocks. Our findings indicate that while certain requirements of MAV applications are met with available technologies, further research and development is needed to address the scalability, heterogeneity, safety, quality of service, and security aspects of multi-MAV systems.

2015
[2]	Jürgen Scherer, Saeed Yahyanejad, Samira Hayat, Evsen Yanmaz, Torsten Andre, Asif Khan, Vladimir Vukadinovic, Christian Bettstetter, Hermann Hellwagner, Bernhard Rinner, An Autonomous Multi-UAV System for Search and Rescue, In Proceedings of the First Workshop on Micro Aerial Vehicle Networks, Systems, and Applications for Civilian Use (Kuan-Ta Chen, Mario Gerla, Karin Anna Hummel, Claudio Palazzi, Sofie Pollin, James JP Sterbenz, eds.), ACM, New York, USA, pp. 33-38, 2015. [bib][url] [doi] [abstract] Abstract: This paper proposes and evaluates a modular architecture of an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for search and rescue missions. Multiple multicopters are coordinated using a distributed control system. The system is implemented in the Robot Operating System (ROS) and is capable of providing a real-time video stream from a UAV to one or more base stations using a wireless communications infrastructure. The system supports a heterogeneous set of UAVs and camera sensors. If necessary, an operator can interfere and reduce the autonomy. The system has been tested in an outdoor mission serving as a proof of concept. Some insights from these tests are described in the paper.
2014
[1]	Torsten Andre, Karin Anna Hummel, Angela Schoellig, Evsen Yanmaz, Mahdi Asadpour, Christian Bettstetter, Pasquale Grippa, Hermann Hellwagner, Stephan Sand, Siwei Zhang, Application-Driven Design of Aerial Communication Networks, In IEEE Communications Magazine, IEEE, vol. 52, no. 5, IEEE Communications Society, pp. 129-137, 2014. [bib] [abstract] Abstract: Networks of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) equipped with various sensors are increasingly used for civil applications, such as monitoring, surveillance, and disaster management. In this article, we discuss the communication requirements raised by applications in MAV networks. We propose a novel system representation that can be used to specify different application demands. To this end, we extract key functionalities expected in an MAV network. We map these functionalities into building blocks to characterize the expected communication needs. Based on insights from our own and related real-world experiments, we discuss the capabilities of existing communications technologies and their limitations to implement the proposed building blocks. Our findings indicate that while certain requirements of MAV applications are met with available technologies, further research and development is needed to address the scalability, heterogeneity, safety, quality of service, and security aspects of multi-MAV systems.