Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm

Efficient and adaptive formation planning is critical for unmanned surface vehicle (USV) swarms equipped with sensor networks and smart sensors to perform cooperative detection tasks in complex marine environments. Existing formation optimization methods often overlook the nonlinear coupling between...

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Main Authors: Rui Liang, Dingzhao Li, Haixin Sun, Liangpo Hong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3179
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author Rui Liang
Dingzhao Li
Haixin Sun
Liangpo Hong
author_facet Rui Liang
Dingzhao Li
Haixin Sun
Liangpo Hong
author_sort Rui Liang
collection DOAJ
description Efficient and adaptive formation planning is critical for unmanned surface vehicle (USV) swarms equipped with sensor networks and smart sensors to perform cooperative detection tasks in complex marine environments. Existing formation optimization methods often overlook the nonlinear coupling between sensor-based detection performance, communication constraints, and obstacle avoidance. We propose a multi-objective formation optimization framework based on an improved genetic algorithm that simultaneously considers the detection coverage area, forward detection width, inter-agent communication, and static obstacle avoidance. We formulate a probabilistic cooperative detection model, introduce normalized detection efficiency indicators, and embed multiple geometric and environmental constraints into the optimization process. Simulation results show that the proposed method significantly improves the spatial efficiency of cooperative sensing, yielding a 32.76% increase in effective coverage area and 20.97% improvement in forward detection width compared to unoptimized formations. This strategy, supported by multi-sensor positioning and navigation, offers a robust and generalizable approach for intelligent maritime USV deployment in dynamic, multi-constraint scenarios.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1424-8220
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
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spelling doaj-art-c7b3d513fcb44ac98ceafa701b2aae6c2025-08-20T03:47:58ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012510317910.3390/s25103179Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic AlgorithmRui Liang0Dingzhao Li1Haixin Sun2Liangpo Hong3School of General Education, Xiamen City University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaSchool of Information, Xiamen University, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, ChinaSchool of Information, Xiamen University, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, ChinaSchool of Information, Xiamen University, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, ChinaEfficient and adaptive formation planning is critical for unmanned surface vehicle (USV) swarms equipped with sensor networks and smart sensors to perform cooperative detection tasks in complex marine environments. Existing formation optimization methods often overlook the nonlinear coupling between sensor-based detection performance, communication constraints, and obstacle avoidance. We propose a multi-objective formation optimization framework based on an improved genetic algorithm that simultaneously considers the detection coverage area, forward detection width, inter-agent communication, and static obstacle avoidance. We formulate a probabilistic cooperative detection model, introduce normalized detection efficiency indicators, and embed multiple geometric and environmental constraints into the optimization process. Simulation results show that the proposed method significantly improves the spatial efficiency of cooperative sensing, yielding a 32.76% increase in effective coverage area and 20.97% improvement in forward detection width compared to unoptimized formations. This strategy, supported by multi-sensor positioning and navigation, offers a robust and generalizable approach for intelligent maritime USV deployment in dynamic, multi-constraint scenarios.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3179unmanned surface vehicle (USV)formation optimizationgenetic algorithmmulti-objective optimizationmarine environment
spellingShingle Rui Liang
Dingzhao Li
Haixin Sun
Liangpo Hong
Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm
Sensors
unmanned surface vehicle (USV)
formation optimization
genetic algorithm
multi-objective optimization
marine environment
title Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm
title_full Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm
title_fullStr Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm
title_full_unstemmed Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm
title_short Cooperative Detection-Oriented Formation Design and Optimization of USV Swarms via an Improved Genetic Algorithm
title_sort cooperative detection oriented formation design and optimization of usv swarms via an improved genetic algorithm
topic unmanned surface vehicle (USV)
formation optimization
genetic algorithm
multi-objective optimization
marine environment
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3179
work_keys_str_mv AT ruiliang cooperativedetectionorientedformationdesignandoptimizationofusvswarmsviaanimprovedgeneticalgorithm
AT dingzhaoli cooperativedetectionorientedformationdesignandoptimizationofusvswarmsviaanimprovedgeneticalgorithm
AT haixinsun cooperativedetectionorientedformationdesignandoptimizationofusvswarmsviaanimprovedgeneticalgorithm
AT liangpohong cooperativedetectionorientedformationdesignandoptimizationofusvswarmsviaanimprovedgeneticalgorithm