SGER: The Use of Autonomous Airships as a Mobile Cell Phone Network for Temporary Communication Restoration in Large-Scale Disasters

University Of Texas At San Antonio, San Antonio TX

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary This project proposes to use autonomous airships as a mobile cell phone network for temporary communication restoration in the case of large-scale disasters such as a flood, earthquake, hurricane, or terrorist attack. The Nonlinear Control Research Laboratory (NCRL) will study attitude and formation control of the airships when used in a cell phone network along with the necessary equipment and technologies needed to convert a group of airship to a mobile cell phone network. The NCRL is currently developing the mathematical model of a candidate airship along with the simulation environment for formation control research. This mathematical model is based on flight test data that was generated using the Gait Analysis and Innovative Technologies Laboratory. The research being proposed in this project will encompass three tasks that will extend our current research effort over a one-year period, 1. Modeling and Airship Design 2. Formation Control and Attitude Stability Design Airship implementation and validation 3. Cell Phone Network Simulation and Small-scale implementation Intellectual Merit: Upon accomplishing the objectives of the present research, significant advances will be made in the understanding of autonomous airship control using model predictive control techniques while configured to operate as a temporary mobile cell phone network. The use of model predictive control for aerodynamics is a new area of research due to the fast dynamics encountered on aircraft. The results of our research will make significant advances in applying model predictive control to the problem of autonomous airships and in aerodynamics in general. Broader Impact Statement: The following are the broader impact to society that this research would bring to society: 1) The implementation of an autonomous airship cell phone network will allow for the temporary restoration in an area that has suffered damage to its communication infrastructure. 2) Control and stability issues will be addressed which will have wide-ranging applications in the area of autonomous vehicles that are operating in a cooperative formation. 3) The proposed study will help train and support undergraduate students whose research interest is focused mainly on autonomous airships. 4) The results of this study will be disseminated through presentations at national and international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.