Overview
Design and implementation of a wireless system running on real Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), leveraging Embedded USRP E310 to transmit and receive signals for evaluating network coding algorithms.
System Architecture
The system consists of:
- UAV Platform: Custom quadcopter with Embedded USRP E310
- Ground Station: Software-defined radio base station
- Network Coding Layer: Implementing physical-layer network coding (PNC)
- Control Interface: Real-time telemetry and control
Key Components
Embedded USRP E310
- Compact, software-defined radio platform
- 2x2 MIMO capability
- FPGA-based signal processing
- Battery-powered operation suitable for UAVs
Network Coding Algorithm
Implemented compute-and-forward protocol for:
- Improved spectral efficiency
- Better reliability in fading channels
- Reduced latency for multi-hop scenarios
Experimental Results
The system demonstrated:
- Successful network coding operations on airborne platforms
- Improved throughput compared to traditional relaying
- Stable performance under UAV mobility
Challenges and Solutions
Challenge 1: Limited Payload Capacity
- Solution: Optimized signal processing chain for minimal computational overhead
Challenge 2: UAV Mobility Effects
- Solution: Implemented Doppler shift compensation and tracking algorithms
Challenge 3: Power Constraints
- Solution: Adaptive transmission power control based on link quality