Rendezvous Point Technique for Multivehicle Mine Countermeasure Operations in Communication-Constrained Environments

Advantages of using a multivehicle network over a single autonomous under- water vehicle platform include extended coverage area, potential cost and, time efficiency, and more robust performance. A common issue hat slows advancement in the field is the limited available communication between the platforms. The approach we propose is based on assigning a sequence rendezvous points (RPs) where the vehicles can meet and exchange information. The work we present in this paper applies princiipally to mine countermeasure and suggests that despite the disadvantage of time to allow for the vehicles to reach the RPs, there are techniques that can minimize the losses and provide advantage such as easier coordination and access points for operator monitoring and system modifications. The results we present in this paper give an estimate of the reduction in loss if such an approach is employed, We make a comparison between the RP and a benchmark case by analyzing numerical simulations.