Implementation of Cluster-Based UAV Swarm Networks for Emergency Communications

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are greatly valued in 5 G and 6G networks for their communication features, cost, and flexible deployment choices. UAVs are essential to improve network capacity during natural disasters like earthquakes and natural calamities and have great benefits in demanding situations such as alpine, rural, or isolated places. UAV-based emergency base station platforms offer a necessary alternative to preserve cellular connections during search and rescue operations in disaster situations, when conventional base stations are sometimes destroyed. Flying ad hoc network (FANET) based emergency communication system has recently been proposed. In this paper, cluster-based FANET is implemented, where all the UAVs are organized based on clusters, and the cluster head (CH) is connected to the BS or emergency communication vehicle (ECV). The hardware and software implementation processes are described. A data link algorithm is described that takes advantage of Dijkstra’s shortest path, where signal strength information is used to construct the weighted graph and optimise the path for maximum signal strength. We provide the network architecture diagram of centralised and distributed systems together with UAV placement and mobility. The experimental study is provided, which illustrates how well the UAVs, mobile connectivity, and temporary base station cooperate.