Demonstration of Wireless Synchronization Methods in Autonomously Controlled Fleet of Drones
Steven K. Dobbs, Zhen Yu, Bethany Chang, Quyen Tran, Phu Ngo, Mohamed Hamida, Borick Lieng, Aaron Madrigal, Michael Youssef, Harris Song, Christopher Lai · International Journal of Mobile Network Design and Innovation · 2023
This paper describes methods used in synchronising the behaviour of multiple autonomous flight vehicles utilising custom external hardware and firmware injected into current aviation flight systems. To prove the reliability and consistency of an autonomous ground-based landing sequence, a fleet of drones, each with varying capabilities and sizes, is modified to fit the landing criteria. Each drone in the fleet is controlled through a singular re-programmable controller running software developed for smooth and precise communication with a unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) onboard flight computer. The results of experiments performed on the landing sequence for each drone relay information about the strengths and weaknesses of the ground station landing protocol and pave the way for further innovation in autonomous landing procedures.