Aerial Mast vs Aerial Bridge Autonomous UAV Relay: A Simulation-Based Comparison

This paper provides a simulation-based comparison between two strategies for an autonomous mobile aerial node communication relay between two mobile ground nodes with non-line-of-sight (NLOS). For both strategies, the airborne relay is considered as a signal repeater between the two ground mobile vehicles. The first strategy (aerial bridge) implies that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is trying to keep an optimal position between the two ground nodes while in the aerial mast strategy; the UAV is always placed directly above one of the ground vehicles. The comparison is based on Winner II propagation model applied to a 2.4 GHz waveform. Simulation results demonstrate in each case the variation of transmitted signal strength due to ground vehicles and UAV movement. Trajectories were generated randomly for both ground nodes on a street map of an urban area in order to achieve a statistical analysis of both strategies and discuss their advantages in terms of signal transmission and UAV navigation control.