Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles’ Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) require robust communication for operational reliability. Recent research has explored artificial intelligence techniques, particularly metaheuristic algorithms, to address this challenge. However, studies on enhancing communication robustness through metaheuristic mu...

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Main Authors: Lalan J. Mishra, Naima Kaabouch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11021645/
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author Lalan J. Mishra
Naima Kaabouch
author_facet Lalan J. Mishra
Naima Kaabouch
author_sort Lalan J. Mishra
collection DOAJ
description Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) require robust communication for operational reliability. Recent research has explored artificial intelligence techniques, particularly metaheuristic algorithms, to address this challenge. However, studies on enhancing communication robustness through metaheuristic multi-parameter optimization along the flight path remain limited. To bridge this gap, we investigate the impact of optimizing five key parameters&#x2014;carrier frequency, transmit power, modulation scheme, speed, and altitude&#x2014;on minimizing bit error rate (BER) in UAV communication. This five-parameter optimization is defined as Approach 1. For comparison, a reduced three-parameter optimization is evaluated, excluding speed and altitude, as Approach 2. Seven metaheuristic algorithms were applied to both approaches, and the performance was evaluated via convergence and processing times. All algorithms achieved BERs of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^{-5}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> or lower. Approach 1 caused significant speed and altitude variations in 100 milliseconds, leading to impractical acceleration demands. In contrast, Approach 2 produced more stable and feasible results by constraining the dynamics of the UAV. On average, in Approach 1, the whale optimization algorithm had the shortest convergence time, while ant colony optimization was the slowest. In Approach 2, particle swarm optimization converged fastest, while gray wolf optimization was slowest. Across both approaches, the genetic algorithm achieved the lowest processing time, and ant colony optimization the highest. This study highlights the importance of realistic UAV motion constraints in optimization and provides guidance on selecting metaheuristic algorithms that balance convergence speed and computational efficiency to improve communication reliability. Following an in-depth discussion, several directions for future research are proposed.
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spelling doaj-art-2b4c9142584a42d7af61ea85e78f26da2025-08-20T03:20:58ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113983749839810.1109/ACCESS.2025.357610911021645Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance AnalysisLalan J. Mishra0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1801-3884Naima Kaabouch1Artificial Intelligence Research Center, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USAArtificial Intelligence Research Center, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USAUncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) require robust communication for operational reliability. Recent research has explored artificial intelligence techniques, particularly metaheuristic algorithms, to address this challenge. However, studies on enhancing communication robustness through metaheuristic multi-parameter optimization along the flight path remain limited. To bridge this gap, we investigate the impact of optimizing five key parameters&#x2014;carrier frequency, transmit power, modulation scheme, speed, and altitude&#x2014;on minimizing bit error rate (BER) in UAV communication. This five-parameter optimization is defined as Approach 1. For comparison, a reduced three-parameter optimization is evaluated, excluding speed and altitude, as Approach 2. Seven metaheuristic algorithms were applied to both approaches, and the performance was evaluated via convergence and processing times. All algorithms achieved BERs of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^{-5}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> or lower. Approach 1 caused significant speed and altitude variations in 100 milliseconds, leading to impractical acceleration demands. In contrast, Approach 2 produced more stable and feasible results by constraining the dynamics of the UAV. On average, in Approach 1, the whale optimization algorithm had the shortest convergence time, while ant colony optimization was the slowest. In Approach 2, particle swarm optimization converged fastest, while gray wolf optimization was slowest. Across both approaches, the genetic algorithm achieved the lowest processing time, and ant colony optimization the highest. This study highlights the importance of realistic UAV motion constraints in optimization and provides guidance on selecting metaheuristic algorithms that balance convergence speed and computational efficiency to improve communication reliability. Following an in-depth discussion, several directions for future research are proposed.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11021645/AIBERC2 systemsmetaheuristicsoptimizationUAS
spellingShingle Lalan J. Mishra
Naima Kaabouch
Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis
IEEE Access
AI
BER
C2 systems
metaheuristics
optimization
UAS
title Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis
title_full Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis
title_fullStr Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis
title_short Multi-Parameter Optimization Using Metaheuristic Algorithms to Improve Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles&#x2019; Wireless Communications: A Performance Analysis
title_sort multi parameter optimization using metaheuristic algorithms to improve uncrewed aerial vehicles x2019 wireless communications a performance analysis
topic AI
BER
C2 systems
metaheuristics
optimization
UAS
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11021645/
work_keys_str_mv AT lalanjmishra multiparameteroptimizationusingmetaheuristicalgorithmstoimproveuncrewedaerialvehiclesx2019wirelesscommunicationsaperformanceanalysis
AT naimakaabouch multiparameteroptimizationusingmetaheuristicalgorithmstoimproveuncrewedaerialvehiclesx2019wirelesscommunicationsaperformanceanalysis