3D Optimal Surveillance Trajectory Planning for Multiple UAVs by Using Particle Swarm Optimization with Surveillance Area Priority

Abstract

The use of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been regarded as a promising technique in both military and civilian applications. However, due to the lack of relevant laws and regulations, the misuse of illegal drones poses a serious threat to social security. In this paper, we develop a trajectory planner based on particle swarm optimization and a proposed surveillance area importance updating mechanism aimed at deriving three-dimensional (3D) optimal surveillance trajectories for multiple monitoring drones. We also propose a multi-objective fitness function in accordance with energy consumption, flight risk, and surveillance area priority in order to evaluate the trajectories generated by the proposed trajectory planner. Simulation results show that the trajectories generated by the proposed trajectory planner can preferentially visit important areas while obtaining a high fitness value in various practical situations.