Wireless relay communication system for multiple small robots

Small terrestrial robots have the advantage of being inexpensive and small in size. However, this introduces notable disadvantages, including limited communication range and restricted tasking capabilities. To make up for these shortcomings, multiple robots can be utilized in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) in order to extend transmission range as a function of robot quantity and ultimately achieve more difficult tasks.;Three types of software models are created, which simulate the electromagnetic propagation of multiple radios, the 3D physical environment of multiple robots, and the network-level implementation of a routing protocol. A hardware implementation of a wireless relay communication system is developed to test the real world affects of such a system. Tests are conducted in a small lab setting and scaled up to field tests of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The results show that a MANET in a relay topology can improve communication range and overall mission capability.