Review of Directional Routing Protocols for Flying Ad-Hoc Networks Based on Directional Antennas

Abstract

In recent years,flying ad-hoc networks with UAVs as nodes have received extensive attention due to their different applications in various fields.In order to meet the quality of service requirements of complex tasks,the routing of flying ad-hoc networks needs to provide sufficient network performance.Compared with omnidirectional routing based on omnidirectional antennas,directional routing based on directional antennas can improve channel utilization and communication range,which can enable flying ad-hoc networks to obtain better network performance and quality of service.In this paper,the advantages and pro-blems brought by the application of directional antennas in flying ad-hoc networks are analyzed.Furthermore,the existing single path directional routing and multi-path directional routing are introduced in detail from the aspects of directional antenna control mechanism,routing algorithm,application scenarios,advantages and disadvantages.What's more,these routing protocols are compared qualitatively in terms of antenna types,control mechanisms,network performance,and key parameters.Finally,the challenges faced in application and future development of the directional routing are discussed.

Keywords

• flying ad-hoc networks|directional antennas|routing protocol|unmanned aerial vehicles|quality of service