On air-to-water radio communication between UAVs and water sensor networks

Jacob Palmer, Nicholas Yuen, John Paul Ore, Carrick Detweiler, Elizabeth Basha

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ocean monitoring using underwater sensor networks faces communication challenges in retrieving data, communicating large amounts of data between nodes, and covering increasing spatial regions while remaining connected. With underwater sensor networks that are capable of surfacing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a solution to this by providing radio-based data muling services, but, as this area is still unexplored, the utility of this solution is unclear. In this paper, we examine the theoretical expectations, perform several field experiments, and analyze the communication success rates of 802.15.4 radios near the water surface both communicating between surface nodes as well as between a node and the UAV. These indicate that on the water surface internode radio communication is poor, but node to UAV communication can provide both reasonable ranges and success rates. We additionally measure and analyze the energy aspects of the systems, determining the impacts of parameters such as network size and distance between nodes on the UAV energy. Finally, we consolidate the information into an algorithm outlining how to configure and design hybrid UAV and underwater sensor network systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2015 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2015
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages5311-5317
Number of pages7
EditionJune
ISBN (Electronic)9781479969234
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 29 2015
Event2015 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2015 - Seattle, United States
Duration: May 26 2015May 30 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
NumberJune
Volume2015-June
ISSN (Print)1050-4729

Other

Other2015 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period5/26/155/30/15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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