Self-Organizing Mesh Networks of Search & Rescue Drone Swarms

Abstract

Intelligent robot swarms are increasingly being explored as tools for search and rescue missions. Efficient path planning and robust communication networks are critical elements of completing missions. The focus of this research is to give aerial and ground drones the ability to self organize and maintain a mesh network topology for intercommunication. The drones will be able to read the communication strength between themselves and all the drones it is connected to using RSSI. The drones should be able to adjust their positioning closer to other drones if RSSI is below a threshold, and they should also maintain communication as a group if they move together along a search path.