Deployment of an aerial platform system for rapid restoration of communications links after a disaster: a machine learning approach

Abstract

Having reliable telecommunication systems in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic event makes a huge difference in the combined effort by local authorities, local fire and police departments, and rescue teams to save lives. This paper proposes a physical model that links base stations that are still operational with aerial platforms and then uses a machine learning framework to evolve ground-to-air propagation model for such an ad hoc network. Such a physical model is quick and easy to deploy and the underlying air-to-ground (ATG) propagation models are both resilient and scalable and may use a wide range of link budget, grade of service (GoS), and quality of service (QoS) parameters to optimise their performance and in turn the effectiveness of the physical model. The prediction results of a simulated deployment of such a physical model and the evolved propagation model in an ad hoc network offers much promise in restoring communication links during emergency relief operations.