Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas

Complex multi-area collaborative coverage path planning in dynamic environments poses a significant challenge for multi-fixed-wing UAVs (multi-UAV). This study establishes a comprehensive framework that incorporates UAV capabilities, terrain, complex areas, and mission dynamics. A novel dynamic coll...

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Main Authors: Mengyang Wang, Dong Zhang, Chaoyue Li, Zhaohua Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-05-01
Series:Defence Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214914725000170
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author Mengyang Wang
Dong Zhang
Chaoyue Li
Zhaohua Zhang
author_facet Mengyang Wang
Dong Zhang
Chaoyue Li
Zhaohua Zhang
author_sort Mengyang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Complex multi-area collaborative coverage path planning in dynamic environments poses a significant challenge for multi-fixed-wing UAVs (multi-UAV). This study establishes a comprehensive framework that incorporates UAV capabilities, terrain, complex areas, and mission dynamics. A novel dynamic collaborative path planning algorithm is introduced, designed to ensure complete coverage of designated areas. This algorithm meticulously optimizes the operation, entry, and transition paths for each UAV, while also establishing evaluation metrics to refine coverage sequences for each area. Additionally, a three-dimensional path is computed utilizing an altitude descent method, effectively integrating two-dimensional coverage paths with altitude constraints. The efficacy of the proposed approach is validated through digital simulations and mixed-reality semi-physical experiments across a variety of dynamic scenarios, including both single-area and multi-area coverage by multi-UAV. Results show that the coverage paths generated by this method significantly reduce both computation time and path length, providing a reliable solution for dynamic multi-UAV mission planning in semi-physical environments.
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id doaj-art-b659b88488864dee80a13adeac60ca7e
institution DOAJ
issn 2214-9147
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
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series Defence Technology
spelling doaj-art-b659b88488864dee80a13adeac60ca7e2025-08-20T03:09:12ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Defence Technology2214-91472025-05-014719721510.1016/j.dt.2025.01.008Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areasMengyang Wang0Dong Zhang1Chaoyue Li2Zhaohua Zhang3School of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, ChinaSchool of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, ChinaSchool of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, ChinaComplex multi-area collaborative coverage path planning in dynamic environments poses a significant challenge for multi-fixed-wing UAVs (multi-UAV). This study establishes a comprehensive framework that incorporates UAV capabilities, terrain, complex areas, and mission dynamics. A novel dynamic collaborative path planning algorithm is introduced, designed to ensure complete coverage of designated areas. This algorithm meticulously optimizes the operation, entry, and transition paths for each UAV, while also establishing evaluation metrics to refine coverage sequences for each area. Additionally, a three-dimensional path is computed utilizing an altitude descent method, effectively integrating two-dimensional coverage paths with altitude constraints. The efficacy of the proposed approach is validated through digital simulations and mixed-reality semi-physical experiments across a variety of dynamic scenarios, including both single-area and multi-area coverage by multi-UAV. Results show that the coverage paths generated by this method significantly reduce both computation time and path length, providing a reliable solution for dynamic multi-UAV mission planning in semi-physical environments.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214914725000170Multi-fixed-wing UAVs (multi-UAV)Minimum time cooperative coverageDynamic complete coverage path planning (DCCPP)Dubins curvesImproved dynamic programming algorithm (IDP)
spellingShingle Mengyang Wang
Dong Zhang
Chaoyue Li
Zhaohua Zhang
Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas
Defence Technology
Multi-fixed-wing UAVs (multi-UAV)
Minimum time cooperative coverage
Dynamic complete coverage path planning (DCCPP)
Dubins curves
Improved dynamic programming algorithm (IDP)
title Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas
title_full Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas
title_fullStr Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas
title_full_unstemmed Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas
title_short Multiple fixed-wing UAVs collaborative coverage 3D path planning method for complex areas
title_sort multiple fixed wing uavs collaborative coverage 3d path planning method for complex areas
topic Multi-fixed-wing UAVs (multi-UAV)
Minimum time cooperative coverage
Dynamic complete coverage path planning (DCCPP)
Dubins curves
Improved dynamic programming algorithm (IDP)
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214914725000170
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AT dongzhang multiplefixedwinguavscollaborativecoverage3dpathplanningmethodforcomplexareas
AT chaoyueli multiplefixedwinguavscollaborativecoverage3dpathplanningmethodforcomplexareas
AT zhaohuazhang multiplefixedwinguavscollaborativecoverage3dpathplanningmethodforcomplexareas