Intermittent Communications Modeling and Simulation for Autonomous Unmanned Maritime Vehicles using an Integrated APM and FSMC Framework

In this work a framework is presented for addressing the issue of intermittent communications faced by autonomous unmanned maritime vehicles operating at sea. In particular, this work considers the subject of predictive atmospheric signal transmission over multi-path fading channels in maritime environments. A Finite State Markov Channel is used to represent a Nakagami-m modeled physical fading radio channel. The range of the received signal-to-noise ratio is partitioned into a finite number of intervals which represent application-specific communications states. The Advanced Propagation Model (APM), developed at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego, provides a characterization of the transmission channel in terms of evaporation duct induced signal propagation loss. APM uses a hybrid ray-optic and parabolic equations model which allows for the computation of electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation over various sea and/or terrain paths. These models which have been integrated in the proposed framework provide a strategic and mission planning aid for the operation of maritime unmanned vehicles at sea.