Ad Hoc UAV Ground Network (AUGNet)

This paper describes an implementation of a wireless mobile ad hoc network with radio nodes mounted at fixed sites, on ground vehicles, and in small (10kg) UAVs. The ad hoc networking allows any two nodes to communicate either directly or through an arbitrary number of other nodes which act as relays. We envision two scenarios for this type of network. In the first, the UAV acts as a prominent radio node that connects disconnected ground radios. In the second, the networking enables groups of UAVs to communicate with each other to extend small UAVs operational scope and range. The network consists of mesh network radios assembled from low-cost commercial off the shelf components. The radio is an IEEE 802.11b (WiFi) wireless interface and is controlled by an embedded computer. The network protocol is an implementation of the Dynamic Source Routing ad hoc networking protocol. The radio is mounted either in an environmental enclosure for outdoor fixed and vehicle mounting or directly in our custom built UAVs. A monitoring architecture has been embedded into the radios for detailed performance characterization and analysis. This paper describes these components and performance results measured at an outdoor test range. I.