This paper presents a communication network for a squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be used in the scanning rocket impact area for Barreira do Inferno Launch Center—CLBI (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil), aiming at detecting intruder boats. The main features of communication networks associated with multi-UAV systems are presented. This system sends information through Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). After comparing and analyzing area scanning strategies, it presents the specification of a data communication network architecture for a squadron of UAVs within a sensor network using XBee Pro 900HP S3B modules. A brief description is made about the initial information from the construction of the system. The embedded hardware and the design procedure of a dedicated communication antenna to the XBee modules are presented. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed architecture in terms of robustness and reliability, a set of experimental tests in different communication scenarios is carried out. Network management software is employed to measure the throughput, packet loss and other performance indicators in the communication links between the different network nodes. Experimental results allow verifying the quality and performance of the network nodes, as well as the reliability of the communication links, assessing signal received quality, range and latency.

This paper presents the specifications for a network architecture of a squadron of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to be used to scan rocket impact areas. It presents the main features of communication networks for multi UAV systems and the details of its application. In this context, we propose a network architecture based on XBee Pro 900HP S3B modules integrated to a hardware platform controlled by embedded computer Model Raspberry Pi 2B, equipped with GPS and Ardupilot controller board. A test plan was established to evaluate the performance of the proposed network architecture in terms of robustness, reliability and energy efficiency. For benchmarking the possible formation of UAVs squadron scenarios, we used network management software in order to measure throughput, packet loss and other performance indicators in the communication links between the different network nodes.