Throughput Maximization for Long-Distance Real-Time Data Transmission over Multiple UAVs

Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have attracted attention as a means to observe a terrain due to their ability to fly above the place to be observed and collect information (e.g., picture, video and sensor data) easily. Moreover, UAVs can transmit data through equipped wireless transceivers. However, because the payload of UAVs is limited, the performance of the transceiver is limited as well. Therefore, UAVs need to cooperate with other UAVs for high speed and long distance data transmission. In this article, we suppose a network model for transmitting in real time observed data in a multihop relay communication; then we take into account parameters related to the observation area (e.g., area size, distance between a base station and observation area) and signal attenuation by obstacles (e.g., buildings, trees). Finally, we propose a way to maximize the network performances affected by those parameters in the network.