Optimal UAS Assignments and Trajectories for Persistent Surveillance and Data Collection from a Wireless Sensor Network

Developing a methodology for multiple unmanned aircraft assigned to fly optimal trajectories in order to survey and collect a pre-specified amount of data from a fixed, ground-based wireless sensor network.

Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

The Department of Defense (DoD) estimates manpower cost is the largest component in the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). From planning, controlling, supervising, analyzing, replanning, delivering data, and other functions, the human operator currently bares the majority of the burden for these tasks.

The most critical phases of mission profiles are often either manually performed or pre-programmed by human operators. These functions “include critical flight operations, navigation, takeoff and landing of unmanned aircraft, and recognition of lost communications requiring implementation of return-to-base procedures.”. Furthermore, UAS that conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions often collect and deliver raw data. For example, live streaming video from a UAS requires human interpretation and analysis before it can be used for decision making.