Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs

Routing in flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) is hindered by high mobility, trajectory-induced topology dynamics, and energy constraints. Conventional topology-based or position-based protocols often fail due to stale link information and limited neighbor awareness. This paper proposes a trajectory-inf...

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Main Authors: Mingwei Wu, Bo Jiang, Siji Chen, Hong Xu, Tao Pang, Mingke Gao, Fei Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Drones
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/489
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author Mingwei Wu
Bo Jiang
Siji Chen
Hong Xu
Tao Pang
Mingke Gao
Fei Xia
author_facet Mingwei Wu
Bo Jiang
Siji Chen
Hong Xu
Tao Pang
Mingke Gao
Fei Xia
author_sort Mingwei Wu
collection DOAJ
description Routing in flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) is hindered by high mobility, trajectory-induced topology dynamics, and energy constraints. Conventional topology-based or position-based protocols often fail due to stale link information and limited neighbor awareness. This paper proposes a trajectory-informed routing protocol enhanced by Q-learning: Traj-Q-GPSR, tailored for mission-oriented UAV swarm networks. By leveraging mission-planned flight trajectories, the protocol builds time-aware two-hop neighbor tables, enabling routing decisions based on both current connectivity and predicted link availability. This spatiotemporal information is integrated into a reinforcement learning framework that dynamically optimizes next-hop selection based on link stability, queue length, and node mobility patterns. To further enhance adaptability, the learning parameters are adjusted in real time according to network dynamics. Additionally, a delay-aware queuing model is introduced to forecast optimal transmission timing, thereby reducing buffering overhead and mitigating redundant retransmissions. Extensive ns-3 simulations across diverse mobility, density, and CBR connections demonstrate that the proposed protocol consistently outperforms GPSR, achieving up to 23% lower packet loss, over 80% reduction in average end-to-end delay, and improvements of up to 37% and 52% in throughput and routing efficiency, respectively.
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spelling doaj-art-0b0f1b93dd6049efa36d05af1cdba17f2025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-07-019748910.3390/drones9070489Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETsMingwei Wu0Bo Jiang1Siji Chen2Hong Xu3Tao Pang4Mingke Gao5Fei Xia6East-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaEast-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaEast-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaEast-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaEast-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaEast-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaEast-China Research Institute of Computer Technology, Shanghai 201800, ChinaRouting in flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) is hindered by high mobility, trajectory-induced topology dynamics, and energy constraints. Conventional topology-based or position-based protocols often fail due to stale link information and limited neighbor awareness. This paper proposes a trajectory-informed routing protocol enhanced by Q-learning: Traj-Q-GPSR, tailored for mission-oriented UAV swarm networks. By leveraging mission-planned flight trajectories, the protocol builds time-aware two-hop neighbor tables, enabling routing decisions based on both current connectivity and predicted link availability. This spatiotemporal information is integrated into a reinforcement learning framework that dynamically optimizes next-hop selection based on link stability, queue length, and node mobility patterns. To further enhance adaptability, the learning parameters are adjusted in real time according to network dynamics. Additionally, a delay-aware queuing model is introduced to forecast optimal transmission timing, thereby reducing buffering overhead and mitigating redundant retransmissions. Extensive ns-3 simulations across diverse mobility, density, and CBR connections demonstrate that the proposed protocol consistently outperforms GPSR, achieving up to 23% lower packet loss, over 80% reduction in average end-to-end delay, and improvements of up to 37% and 52% in throughput and routing efficiency, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/489FANETrouting protocoltrajectory knowledgeQ-learning
spellingShingle Mingwei Wu
Bo Jiang
Siji Chen
Hong Xu
Tao Pang
Mingke Gao
Fei Xia
Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs
Drones
FANET
routing protocol
trajectory knowledge
Q-learning
title Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs
title_full Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs
title_fullStr Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs
title_full_unstemmed Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs
title_short Traj-Q-GPSR: A Trajectory-Informed and Q-Learning Enhanced GPSR Protocol for Mission-Oriented FANETs
title_sort traj q gpsr a trajectory informed and q learning enhanced gpsr protocol for mission oriented fanets
topic FANET
routing protocol
trajectory knowledge
Q-learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/489
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